Is this destiny?

Shawn and Sarah are facing each other in the rink.

Few minutes ago, the referee offered to Sarah to get some first aid for her arm before the fight starts, but she said that it's not necessary.

JoAnna ignored Sarah's protests and tied up her arm with a cloth, to stop the bleeding. JoAnna didn't say anything from start to finish. She was not sure what to say… Should she reprimand Sarah for being reckless? Or praise her for sticking to the plan? And what should she say for putting herself into danger to save Ron? Ah! So many emotions, so many thoughts.

Back to present…

"Are you not going to attack? You challenged me.", Shawn sneered.

"Don't you want to enjoy few more seconds of not experiencing pain?" Sarah asked, and in the next second closed the distance between them. "Do you think I fear you?"

Shawn was surprised how quickly she approached him and took a step back. He composed himself and clenched his fists. In an instant he started attacking, his hits were focused on Sarah's left side. It's the best place to attack, considering that her left arm is hurt. Due to pain, she will have difficulty evading his attacks, and she does not look strong enough to take them head on.

Shawn was surprised that his hits are not causing any damage. He is obviously hitting her, but… why is she not falling, not even flinching…?

He does not know that Sarah is doing to him exactly what Master Hollow's disciples did to her when she sparred with them. She retracts a fraction just before Shawn's hits land. And his attacks reflected his state of mind: fear, doubt, lack of resolve. With each passing moment, those are increasing.

After some time, he stopped attacking and took three steps back. He looked at his fists with confusion apparent on his face.

"You are wondering why it's not working…", Sarah said in a low voice. "Sometimes you reach a point that if you don't know what you are fighting for, your hits are powerless. Where is your loyalty?"

Shawn stared at Sarah while rage consumed him. Why is this girl lecturing him on moral values?

"Why do you think that Marcus should be the Master? Is it because he is older, and you believe that younger generation is not good? Or because he has no morals?" Sarah snorted. "It's probably because two of you are so much alike. But Whites are much more than bullies who rely on strength to get their way. I'm surprised you didn't realize that so far."

Shawn knows that Sarah's words are true, but he is not willing to admit that to her or to anyone else. Her saying it in front of everyone means that they saw through him… Shawn realized that Jeff knows. Jeff knows that he is working with Marcus. And that is why he agreed to have this match which Shawn can't win… Shawn paused. Who said that he can't win? Since when is he facing a young woman with a thought that she can overpower him? And she dares to lecture him? In front of everyone?

Shawn balled his hands into fists and rushed toward Sarah.

His fist was aimed perfectly at her left shoulder. He was moving fast, faster than ever before. His eyes flashed… he got this… he got her… one hit to get her off balance and then he has her…

Shawn was surprised when his fist ended in Sarah's left palm. And how can she have such a strong grip with a hand which is hurt? Just what monster is this?

He was about to tug Sarah backward. Yes, she is holding him in a strong grip, but he is a big man, he can lift her up completely. Shawn shifted his weight backward and found that his right leg crumbled under him.

Sarah kicked him in the knee and broke his kneecap.

She saw through his intention. Without the strength in his leg, he can't tug her… and then his other leg gave on him. This time the pain came from under the knee. Shawn glanced down, and he could see the bone exposed… an open fracture. He fell on his knees and the pain was excruciating. He would fall down all the way, but she is still holding onto his fist. Why is she not letting go? And why does it seem that her grip is getting stronger?

"Do you think that I will show mercy to a man like you?"

Sarah's words made Shawn look into her eyes. He saw… nothing. If there was any emotion, maybe he could understand what is going on. But there is nothing. She is not angry, and she is not enjoying this, at this moment she looks… bored. Like she can't wait to be done with this.

"Why are you doing this?", he squeezed through his teeth while fighting the pain which consumed his whole body.

"Because I can't stand people like you. Because you don't care who gets hurt. Because you don't mind crushing other people's dreams just to make yours come true even though you don't have any. You ask me why am I doing this, but… why are you doing this? I fight for my family, what are you fighting for?"

Sarah didn't wait for him to answer. Her grip increased further, and Shawn's screams covered the sounds of bones cracking in his right fist. Two seconds later, he fainted.

Sarah let go of him and he fell on the ground.

She glanced at the referee who needed some time to compose himself and proclaim that Sarah's team won the overall fight with a score 3-0.

Well, her work is done.

Sarah turned toward her five companions who rushed inside rink. "Boss, how is your hand? Let's get that treated. Does it hurt a lot? Boss, can I rip your sleeve? We need to see the wound. Are you OK? …", they spoke one over the other.

JoAnna came in-between them and pushed them aside: "Me first, let me check that arm… let's go inside." Seven of them moved toward the house as a tightly packed group, and JoAnna's voice was heard: "I told you not to force yourself... you didn't heal completely... how are your fingers? ... I need to clean that, and it seems that the bullet is still inside… really… why can't you be more careful? I remember that not long ago you got sedated all the time, but now it's gunshots? Why can't you avoid pointy objects and projectiles heading your way? And it seems it's escalating…"

Jeff watched JoAnna scold her sister lovingly while walking away with Sarah and her group toward the main house.

When JoAnna's voice could not be heard, Jeff faced people who were on the other side of the rink. He called out four people he knows are die-hard loyal to Shawn.

"Take him to Marcus. And don't come back.", Jeff told them sternly. "And take these two as well.", he gestured at the two who were knocked out by the drones.

Four men lowered their heads and obeyed.

He can see that they don't want to meet his gaze, but he is not sure if they are ashamed because they are called out or because they regret siding with Shawn. However, he can't take the risk of keeping them. They all need to know that this is not a place for people who are not loyal to the Master and to what he represents.

"I am the Master of this place." Jeff addressed people left who are gathered around the rink. "Your previous Master entrusted me with this role, and I hope that you will also. But if you have a problem with that, you are free to leave. You have until the end of the day to leave without consequences. Whoever stays, I will assume that you will support me and the White family." He gestured toward Shawn who was dragged away by his men. "This is what will happen to people who betray me because betraying me means betraying everyone present here, and many more who are not here today. Keep that in mind."

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