Is this destiny?

Marija was momentarily dazed when she heard Jesse say that he is Michael, but in the next instant, Marija narrowed her eyes at him. She is confident that Jesse is lying just to protect Oni and her reputation. After all, Marija already knows that Jesse is after Oni and that she rejected him. What is a little lie in order to score points with Oni?

Aiden\'s mood was getting worse by the second.

Sarah and he exchanged messages over Eve-lens and she told him that ideally Marija will expose her ugly side for everyone to see.

Originally, Sarah had a plan to confront Marija while a drone controlled by Eve would record their interaction, and others could watch the footage of Marija\'s unacceptable behavior. Sarah\'s goal is to ensure that others will not see Marija as a victim and try to help her out later.

Looking at the scene in front, Aiden concluded that the footage will not be necessary, but this is too much. Marija is obviously disrespecting Sarah and insulting Oni. 

Aiden wanted to stand up and stop this ruckus from getting worse, but he paused when he saw that Oni is standing straight with confidence. It seems that Oni is not shaken up with this, and she has something ready to fight back.

Aiden is not aware that Oni and Sarah exchanged messages as well, and they are in an agreement to let Marija dig her own hole as deep as possible.

Sarah felt that Aiden got tense and placed her hand over his before clarifying to Marija (and anyone else who was not aware): "Jesse and Michael are the same person."

Marija shook her head in disbelief. "Not possible. You are making this up to make Oni look good."

Oni stood next to Michael and spoke to Marija. "Michael told you, Sarah told you and I will confirm as well that Jesse and Michael are the same person. You can deny the facts if you want, and there is nothing we can do about it. But I don\'t understand, what are you trying to achieve? Do you think that talking trash about me will get others to like you more? Or you don\'t care what others think, as long as Michael dislikes me? Or is this about Sarah? Why do you hate me? I barely know you and I am quite confident that you don\'t know me." 

Marija was still processing the news that Jesse is Michael, and she could not accept that. If that is the truth, it means she lost the point of Oni is sleeping around. But that does not mean that Marija likes her more.

Marija\'s hand was back in the air, pointing at Oni. "I despise people like you. You are pretending to be gentle and innocent, without any faults while everyone pampers you and praises you like you are perfect, but deep inside you are a scheming bitch like everyone else."

Michael grabbed Marija\'s hand which was extended toward Oni and warned Marija angrily: "Say one more bad thing about Oni and I will break you."

Marija\'s face contorted in pain mixed with fury.

Oni was touched that Michael stood up for her, but she does not need anyone\'s protection. Sarah taught her to stand up for herself and not to be a victim.

"Do you think that you are better than me?", Oni asked Marija.

"In every way possible.", Marija said through her teeth while rubbing her hand which Michael let go.

Oni wrapped her arms around Michael\'s waist and smirked. "Well, I can think of at least one thing I am better than you."

Michael arched his eyebrow and gave a side-glance to the girl sticking to him. It\'s obvious that she is provoking Marija. He didn\'t know that Oni can be this spiteful. It added another side to the girl who is always kind. He likes it.

Marija narrowed her eyes at Oni and reminded herself not to snap and jump on Oni no matter how much she wants to scratch that face off. She can\'t do it in front of everyone watching. "Do you think that winning him over makes you better than me?"

Oni didn\'t want to respond to that question. She has something else on her mind. "No one is best in everything, but each person has some strong points. I see that you have a superiority complex. I don\'t know if that is only related to me or everyone around you, but I wonder what would you do if I beat you in something you are confident in?"

"What arrogance!", Marija spat.

"Confidence.", Oni corrected Marija smugly. "You all came here to hone your hacking, right? I heard about the battles you engage in. How about a match?"

Marija could not believe that this teenager is challenging her. It reminded her how Nikola challenged Aiden. Since when are juniors more capable than their seniors? "Are you so eager to lose?"

"We will see who the loser is, after the match."

"Deal. Don\'t come back crying after you lose.", Marija said gleefully.

Oni was irked by Marija\'s attitude. "How about we add something else. A wager."

"Like what?", Marija asked mockingly.

"You said that I should not come back crying after I lose. How about we make it so that loser leaves and does not come back?"

Marija glanced to the side, at Sarah. "You are not going to stop her?"

Sarah shook her head. "Oni can decide for herself."

Marija looked at Oni and smirked. "Deal."

"Can we have breakfast first?", Emir asked. 

Sarah agreed on the point of breakfast. Aiden will be cranky if he needs to wait longer. She checked the time before announcing: "Battle will happen at 9:30 downstairs. That will give everyone enough time for breakfast and any preparations."

Emir and Mishi bolted to their feet and walked out. Emir to the dining room and Mishi to get Eliza so that they can eat together. 

Tereza, Petar and Lucija walked out to the dining room as well.

"You are OK with this?", Marija asked Sarah and Aiden suspiciously, obviously confident in her victory. "If Oni loses she will leave the Chateau and never come back?"

Sarah and Aiden exchanged glances.

"This is Oni\'s bet. Don\'t assume that the two of us are controlling her, just how we can\'t control you.", Sarah responded. "We are confident that in case Oni loses she will leave and not come back. And we hope that you will do your part as well."

Marija sneered. "You think that I will lose?"

Sarah smiled. "I don\'t think one way or another. But I want you to keep in mind that these bets are not something that can be brushed away. If you are not willing to keep your part of the deal, don\'t start the match.", Sarah warned Marija before walking out with Aiden. They should eat and Sarah hopes to talk to Oni before the match. 

In front of everyone Sarah will show unyielding support for her kids, but that does not mean how she is not worried.

Marija turned to where Oni and Michael were, with an intention to give a provocative glance, or to say something... only to see that the two of them left. 

…

In the side hallway…

"Are you sure you want to do this?", Michael asked Oni with concern. 

He knows that it\'s not just about the rights to stay at the Chateau. In case Oni loses, Marija will gloat until their ears bleed and she will probably insult Oni as well. Actually, he does not know what Marija will do, but he knows that she will not let it pass easily.

Oni looked up at him and smiled. "Someone told me that I have the skills to fight back. And I believe him."

Michael remembered that those are his words. He returned her smile. "It\'s good to see you confident."

"Michael... I didn\'t know that having your support will have this effect on me. With you by my side, I believe that I can do it. I know I can."

Michael wrapped his arms around Oni and lowered his lips on hers.

…

"I thought you wanted to talk to Oni.", Aiden murmured close to Sarah\'s ear while glancing down the side hallway where Michael and Oni are kissing.

"Me too… But it seems that she knows what she is doing.", Sarah said and tugged Aiden\'s hand. "Let\'s eat. You must be hungry."

…

Marija saw that Sarah and Aiden paused while glancing to the side before walking to the dining room.

She was curious what got their attention and she regretted her curiosity when she saw the scene of Michael and Oni making out.

Marija balled her hands into fists before forcing herself to look away. "Just a little bit more and I will show you…", she mumbled while stomping toward the dining room.

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