Is this destiny?

~ Los Angeles, the Smith family villa ~

Sunday

10:04 AM

Charlie and Emma are on the terrace, having brunch with Jeff, JoAnna, Jasper, and Ellie.

Charlie and Emma spent the night in the Smith family villa. After the incident with David and the maid in their designated bed, they planned to leave, but then Jasper called Charlie telling him that they can\'t make it to the party, but they can come for breakfast the next morning. Charlie wanted Jasper and Ellie to come to this villa, so that his relatives who are living here can see who is friends are. It is a way to show his strength. Also, Charlie wanted to make sure that his second Uncle, Thomas, does not try to wiggle his way out of leaving the property. With all that, Charlie and Emma decided to stay overnight. 

"You got rid of Thomas?" Jeff asked Charlie.

Charlie confirmed. "Thanks for your help. He left earlier this morning and left me his stocks."

"How far are you with securing the majority of the stocks?" Jeff asked.

Charlie exhaled. "I still have a way to go in order to be completely independent. But Thomas was the biggest threat, and now I have 31% of the company. I can count on at least 25% from the people who will support me without questions asked. Others won\'t dare oppose me openly because their biggest contender for my spot is kicked out of the family. It will take some time for them to regroup and until then I plan to increase my ownership."

"It seems that we missed quite a show." Jasper said.

Charlie and Emma took turns telling them how Aileen wanted to set up Emma and it all escalated into Thomas leaving with his wife and two children.

Jasper held Ellie\'s hand in his and rubbed it gently. Charlie\'s story about forcing his Uncle to sign the stocks to Charlie reminded him how Ellie secured that Jasper has the majority of K Industries. Ellie is his bandit.

After the talk about the incidents from the previous night, Ellie teased Emma: "You are the last one not married. When can we expect an invitation?"

Emma bobbed her head excitedly. "We don\'t have the date, but we have the place. The wedding will be held here. I\'m thinking of color schemes. Maybe you can help me…"

Ellie made a face. "I\'m a fashion designer, not a wedding planner."

JoAnna laughed and advised Emma: "Sweetie, hire a wedding planner. I had two."

"I\'m afraid to let others plan for my wedding. It\'s a big event and it needs to be perfect." Emma voiced her thoughts.

"And that is why you need to hire professionals." Ellie said matter-of-factly. "We can help you hire those. I am announcing my wedding present, I will design your wedding dress."

Emma\'s face exploded in a big smile. "Really?"

Ellie and JoAnna laughed. Emma\'s face was comical.

"Don\'t laugh!" Emma pouted. "I remember the dresses you made for Anna and for Sarah. They were heavenly. Ah, I can\'t wait to see what you will make for me!"

Charlie\'s third Uncle, Samuel, observed the group of six from the window on the second floor of the mansion.

"Father…" Logan called. "Number of elders gathered, they want an explanation on what happened to Uncle Thomas."

Samuel bobbed his head helplessly. "Why are you telling me that? Look down. There is the new patriarch of the Smith family. He should be the one who does all the talking." He turned to his son. "Or are they afraid to disturb him because Jeffrey White and Jasper Kiani are there?"

Logan exhaled. This power struggle in the Smith family is exhausting and if it\'s up to him, he will not have anything to do with it. But he can\'t pretend it does not exist, because if he is passive, they will trample him. Logan never understood why they are so greedy for more when there is plenty of money for everyone to last several lifetimes. "What should I tell them?"

"Tell them that Charles has their answers, and they need to wait because right now he is busy. If they insist to talk to him now, they can go looking for him. Stay out of it."

Logan likes the part that he gets to stay out of it. His attention was drawn to the group of six when they burst into laughter. It is obvious that the mood is good and that this is not a business-related visit.

"How did Charlie become friends with those people?" Logan asked.

"He knows that connections with people like them are more important than pleasing the people in our family. Charlie is smart." Samuel responded. "And you should be smart as well. Don\'t do anything rash. Or you will end up like David."

Logan snorted. "No one is so stupid like Aileen and David."

"Don\'t take things lightly. Their confidence got all four of them out of here." Samuel warned his son. "And this has just begun."

Logan frowned. "Are you saying that more people will be kicked out?"

Samuel confirmed. "I have a feeling that we are about to find out why Jarred picked Charlie. You don\'t need to support him, but make sure not to give him a reason to act against us."

Logan glanced around, to make sure no one can overhear him before speaking softly to his father. "Aileen and David only messed with the nurse. The elders are angry. How will Charlie justify kicking out Uncle Thomas?"

"Foolish boy." Samuel scolded Logan. "Do you really believe she is just a nurse? Look down and tell me what do you see…"

Logan glanced down toward the group of six in the garden. "What should I see?"

"Look how close Emma is with those two women. Do I need to remind you that Charles began making deals with the White corp. after he started dating Emma? Remember who is training Charlie\'s bodyguards… another woman who is close to Emma. And even though everyone thinks of her as a girl who married in the White family, her skills alone should tell you that she is not simple."

Logan understood the meaning of his father\'s words. He met the woman who is training the bodyguards (aka Sarah) at the opening of Emma\'s rehabilitation center. He never saw Sarah in action, but the improvement in the competency of the bodyguards she trained is something everyone talks about in the Smith family. At that event, Logan noticed Sophia and Penny as well. They all looked imposing.

"You believe that Emma is the reason why Charlie has all these connections." Logan summarized his thoughts.

Samuel confirmed. "I hope that you will use your head because this is not a battle you can win with only strength and guts. Listen, observe. And don\'t ever call her \'just a nurse\' because she is much more than that. Remember how many women swooned over Charlie, yet he picked Emma. Don\'t underestimate her."

"Don\'t worry, father. I will remember this." Logan assured Samuel.

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