Is this destiny?

After Jarred finished his big announcement about Charlie being his successor, he stepped off the stage with his hand around Mrs. Ronin. This was his last thing to do as the patriarch of the Smith family and other than some paperwork, he is done.

The most important thing on Jarred\'s mind now is to make his future wife happy. And Mrs. Ronin is happy, everyone can see that.

At first, the Smith family members thought that she is a power-hungry woman who seduced Jarred in order to get the benefits, but now that Jarred relinquished his power, they don\'t care about her. To be honest, they didn\'t care about her earlier either, but now that Jarred stepped down, they will not bother with him or with the woman by his side because the only thing that attracts their attention is power. And right now, the power is in Charlie\'s hands.

Charlie knew that with Jarred\'s position, the greedy people will move their attention to him and his loved ones. That is why Charlie demanded from Jarred that if he becomes the target, he wants the power to protect himself and Emma. 

Jarred agreed to Charlie\'s conditions right away, because they mean that Charlie finally became more aware of dangers and he is ready to fight back.

Jarred does not need those stocks. He has substantial savings, investments, and several properties to live comfortably with Mrs. Ronin who will soon become Mrs. Jarred Smith. 

Jarred believes that Charlie will do fine. Jarred taught Charlie everything he knows, and if only looking at the business, Charlie is ready for a while now. Jarred was worried to step down due to Charlie\'s soft personality, but since Emma came into Charlie\'s life, Charlie changed. Jarred approves.

One by one, people started getting up and approaching Charlie to congratulate him. Everyone wanted to be noticed and to leave a positive impression. Of course, other than Charlie, Emma was also on the receiving end of good wishes.

"We should also congratulate Charlie.", Thomas (aka Charlie\'s second Uncle) reminded his family while his eyes swept over his wife (Caroline), and his kids (David and Aileen).

Thomas is not happy about the current situation. Over the years, he hoped that Jarred will give up on Charlie, and take his son David as his successor. Other than Thomas being the second-largest shareholder of the Smithsonite corp. (second only to Jarred), David is a capable 24 years old man. David\'s decisive personality makes him a great candidate to lead the family. He graduated with honors from the University, and his record in business is stellar.

Compared to Charlie, David is definitely better. But Charlie always had Jarred\'s protection and somehow managed to stay on top against all odds. Everyone said that he is a cripple, how is it possible that he is walking?

Now that Jarred gave his shares to Charlie, Charlie\'s stocks are combined with Jarred\'s and he is a bigger threat than what Jarred was.

Thomas is not the only one at that table who is upset by current development.

His wife, Caroline, forced a smile and looked at their children. They are young and have more difficulty controlling their emotions.

David gritted his teeth and Aileen snorted.

"Behave." Thomas reminded them sternly.

Aileen rolled her eyes. "Why do I need to behave? Is anyone even looking at me? All the attention is on cousin Charlie and his little…"

"Aileen!" Caroline hissed. "You will get us all in trouble! Do I need to remind you where we are? Someone is ALWAYS watching! When the party is over and you go to your room, do whatever you want."

David looked up at the extravagant ceiling and mumbled: "Your room. You speak like anything here is ours. We are staying in this shiny museum because you believe that it will give us an edge. What edge? Look how someone who barely steps in here got everything."

"I don\'t expect you to like it. But I need you not to cause a scene." Thomas said sternly. "We are Smiths. Act like it. And don\'t forget… our time will come."

"Yeah… Our time to move out of here." David said mockingly.

Thomas shot him a side-glance. "Patience, David…"

"What patience?" David squeezed through his teeth. "You said that Charlie is too soft and that Jarred would not make him his successor, and then you said that his legs are wasted, and that he does not have any backing other than Jarred, and look at him… Look at that incompetent Charlie. He is the successor, and his legs are fine. And other than everyone sucking up to him, he has the backing of the White family. You speak about patience? For what?" David leaned closer to Thomas. "Tell me, father, what exactly am I waiting for?"

Caroline placed her hand over Thomas\', telling him that she will take over. "David, we are all in the same boat. Let\'s not bicker here. There is nothing we can do now. We need to congratulate Charlie because Jarred made him the next patriarch of our family. Anything else will come later, after the party. Understood?" Caroline saw that both David and Aileen are pouting. "If you don\'t want to congratulate Charlie, that is fine. But don\'t make a scene. Keep your mouths closed and don\'t drag everyone down by acting without thinking about the consequences."

Thomas nodded in approval of his wife\'s words. "Let\'s go. The queue is getting longer, and it will not be good if we come last…"

David and Aileen exchanged looks and watched their parents leave.

"Look at them sucking up to Charlie…" David mumbled.

"And not just him, but that ignorant nurse as well. Who said that she is qualified to join the family? And how can she be Charlie\'s wife?" Aileen said dejectedly. She will never forget how Emma bullied her in the restroom during the opening of the rehabilitation wing at the LA Medical Center. Aileen talked smack, but Emma slammed her head on the wall and almost choked her while saying that she will flush her down the toilet! Aileen was never so embarrassed in her whole life.

David shook his head in disapproval. "I know that you have a crush on Charlie for a long time, but he never spared you a glance. Besides, he is our cousin. Stop dreaming about him because that is not happening. However, I agree, that nurse should not be by Charlie\'s side."

Aileen looked at her brother and her eyes widened when she realized… "You like her."

David didn\'t deny it. "She is a fine looking woman. Many men would do anything to get a taste of her."

"I didn\'t know you like older women."

"She is not much older. Only two years." David reminded his sister.

Aileen licked her lips suggestively. "Would you like to get a taste?"

David didn\'t miss that there is something behind Aileen\'s question. "What do you have on your mind?"

"Let\'s say that I have a way to get the two of you closer. What do I get in return?"

David was interested. "What do you want?"

"Your new Mercedes."

David refused. "No way."

Aileen blinked a few times innocently. "Three rides only. That is not much."

"No."

Aileen snorted. "Fine. Be happy with fondling the maids. I see how you are looking at the nurse. Do you think you will get a chance to put your hands on her once they are married and she ends up with tighter security?"

David paused. "Are you saying that you can make it happen tonight?"

"Does that mean you will agree on the three rides I want?" Aileen responded with a question.

"If you can get her into my room tonight, you have a deal."

Aileen pursed her lips. "I\'m not sure about your room… They are staying in a guestroom. How about you go to her room, and I will make sure that Charlie does not interrupt?"

David thought about it. No matter what, he is not losing anything. And he might gain something. Getting his hands on Emma is much more exciting because she IS Charlie\'s woman. "You have a deal."

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