Is this destiny?

~ Reno, White family villa ~

Elanor and Oscar are back home. They spent few days in Los Angeles with Jeff and JoAnna, giving them initial information about the world they will be exposed to.

They are happy how the things went. Both Jeff and JoAnna listened carefully and took the situation seriously.

On their flight back to Reno, Elanor and Oscar concluded that their successors are mature and ready for their new roles. They both believe that it will not take long until they complete their knowledge transfer. When that is done, they can take some well-deserved long worry-free vacation, or at least that is their plan.

…

Elanor entered study room and found Oscar frowning at his computer monitor.

She stopped in her tracks. "Work?" If he is busy with work, she will give him privacy. That is how it always was between two of them, unless he calls Elanor to provide her opinion.

"No." Oscar sighed and Elanor resumed her steps toward him.

She stood behind him and started massaging his shoulders while her eyes landed on the monitor. "You are going through the guest list for the wedding? Again?"

Oscar took a deep breath. "I can't help regretting sending invitations to some of these. The kids won't be able to enjoy… not with these people in attendance. They will be surrounded by wolves."

Elanor was always touched when Oscar openly showed care for their kids with his words. It was a rare thing, and it told her that he is concerned. "We talked about this. They all know that Jeffrey will take over your position. If we don't invite them, it will be seen as a sign of weakness… and we don't want Jeffrey to start with people thinking of him as weak. By doing it like this, we are showing everyone that he is not afraid and that we believe in him."

Oscar had to admit that she is right. This is work, more than work and they need to make their moves carefully. "I know, I know… We talked about this… But Wrights? Morgans? Both of those families are ready to kill to have their daughters be the next Madam. They prepared their girls since birth for that role, and now it's gone… I'm concerned for Anna."

"Anna can take care of herself. Jeffrey will not leave her side and her sisters will be there as well. Don't forget that besides our people we will also have Stella's people and Edward is monitoring communication and movements of all these… wolves. On top of that, kids are doing their own preparations. Anna told me that Sarah has drones ready and based on Anna's description, they are impressive." Elanor moved to stand next to Oscar, so that she can see his face.

"These people…", she gestured toward the screen. "…will not make their move during wedding. Based on their behavior so far, their movements will be limited to investigation, and possibly networking. But not attacking."

Oscar nodded in understanding. If anyone can predict people's behavior, that is his wife. People don't call her the best strategist of White family for no reason.

He wanted to hear more. "When do you think they will make their move?"

"After the wedding." Elanor was confident. "Most of them realized that Jeffrey seriously found his future wife only when they received invitations for the wedding. After all, he coldly rejected all those girls for such a long time that when they read about Jeffrey and a mystery girl in the newspapers few months back, they dismissed it as falsehood. There is more than 90% chance they will make their move during the event where we introduce Anna as next Madam. By then, they will have time to come up with some schemes. Edward will need to keep a close watch on them."

"How about Marcus?" Oscar is concerned that his older brother, Marcus, might stir up trouble. It would not be the first time. There is a reason why two of them are estranged.

"Your brother? You think he will try something? It's more than a decade how he didn't cause any trouble."

Elanor thought that since they didn't hear from him for about five years, he will probably not come to the wedding.

Both Oscar and Elanor were surprised when Marcus RSVP'd as a 'yes' for four people which means he is coming with his current wife and two kids. Marcus remarried few times, and always had few mistresses on the side. Since they are not keeping in touch, Oscar and Elanor are not sure if this wife is a fourth or a fifth one.

Oscar was troubled. He always found it difficult to talk about Marcus. "We know that he is accumulating support… and he never forgave father that he gave me the title of the Master of White family."

Elanor exhaled. "Marcus got what he deserved due to his incompetence. I will not allow you to feel like you owe him anything."

Oscar held Elanor's hand and squeezed it lightly. "I'm also concerned about his kids. They were always… ambitious."

"What Lukas and Samara have is incurable. Besides ambition, they are filled with recklessness and lack of common reason. But maybe they changed. We didn't see them in a long time."

Oscar pulled Elanor to sit in his lap. He wrapped his arms around her waist and put his chin on her shoulder, burying his face in her hair.

"Thank you…", he whispered.

After some time, they moved to the sofa, and Elanor asked. "You spent few hours with Steve, did you come to a conclusion?"

"He is a good boy."

"But?" Elanor didn't miss that there is more to it.

"He is a Long." Oscar's explanation was short.

"You see that as a problem?"

"Soon, Jeffrey will not be able to separate his current responsibilities from new ones. He needs to have trustworthy people by his side. I'm not confident that having someone from Long family close by is a wise choice." Oscar saw Elanor's troubled expression and added. "I shared my opinion with Jeffrey as well as details related to the past dealings and connections we have with the Longs. Final decision about that boy is left to Jeffrey."

After a short pause, Oscar asked: "How about you? Did you evaluate Anna's assistant?"

"I spoke with the girl. She is very sweet. Did you know that she is Felix's sister?"

Oscar looked at Elanor while waiting for her to get to the point.

Elanor frowned slightly before continuing: "She is a very innocent child. I don't think she can be someone who can stand next to Madam. I shared my observation with Anna, but it seems that Anna likes the girl."

"On the other side, Steve and that girl are dating. And it seems serious, they are living together." Oscar reminded Elanor.

Elanor had to agree that this is not a small point. "Yes. Them being together will strengthen the loyalty, and they can support each other. But one is a Long and other is not mentally strong for what is coming. Do you think that two wrongs can make it right?"

Oscar always loved to hear Elanor's analysis of the situation.

He shook his head indicating that he can't make that call. "That is up to Jeffrey and Anna to decide. Everything can be learned, but integrity is ingrained in the person while loyalty is directed toward someone specific.. Our kids will need to decide if they trust these people or not, because that will mean that they are entrusting them with their lives."