Is this destiny?

~ Eastern Europe, the main base of the Lebedev family ~

The next morning, Sarah met with Konstantin, Dimitri, Todor, and Stella, to hear about their progress in figuring out their territories and responsibilities.

JoAnna and Sophia were too tired for a morning meeting, and Sarah told them to sleep in because she will handle it.

Konstantin, Dimitri, Todor, and Stella presented their case and capabilities.

Stella took responsibility for their resources in Europe, Dimitri for resources in Africa, Todor claimed resources in Asia (Australia included), while Konstantin decided to work on communication and maintaining connections with other organizations.

Sarah observed that even though she told them to take only how much they can manage, nothing was left unattended. Considering that they had a big tumble in leadership, each of them will need to reestablish their contacts and develop a process that will work.

Sarah expected this outcome because she knew that they will not be willing to give up power willingly no matter how much all of them wanted to be a \'happy family\'.

"Alright…", Sarah said. "I will be in charge of the Americas and when Vasily wakes up, we can revise that."

"You are fine with this division of responsibilities?", Konstantin asked apprehensively.

"I will not judge you until I see success or failures.", Sarah responded. "I expect everyone to share a weekly report on anything that is going on. I will give each of you three months to stabilize your position or risk losing territories. If you have a problem, reach out to me. If you hide a problem and suffer a loss, it will not be tolerated. When we establish that things are under control, we can reduce the frequency of reports."

They agreed, and Sarah brought up the point of training recruits.

"You want to teach them other skills?", Todor asked with doubt obvious in his voice.

Sarah confirmed. "Yes. We live in times where most people strive to climb the ladder. Not everyone is suited for that, but unless we give them a chance, we won\'t know. Think of it like you are stuck in a dead-end job. Our soldiers can\'t be happy doing the same thing for years without the possibility to get promoted. That situation leads to corruption and betrayal. By providing them with other options, we will keep their morale high."

"That will not guarantee that they will not betray us.", Dimitri chimed in. "If a plain soldier moves to another organization, the damage is not much, but if that happens with a leader or a strategist…", his voice trailed, indicating that it\'s a serious situation.

"I understand your concern.", Sarah acknowledged Dimitri\'s words. "However, my current experience is that most of the people will be grateful for the opportunities presented and they will keep others in check. Of course, there will always be people who believe that the grass is greener on the other side and there is not much we can do about it. By controlling the information others know, we will minimize the damage, and if we control who goes to our enemies, we can even use them to our advantage."

"I saw it working.", Stella said to reinforce Sarah\'s words. "Sarah did a wonderful job with the Army of Chaos and they are the most loyal currently active force."

Sarah smiled at Stella. She was happy that her mother acknowledged her results. 

"Don\'t worry about it. I will take care of it.", Sarah assured Konstantin, Dimitri, and Todor. "We will start with one day of training that will include a quick introduction in topics such as leadership, management of resources, first aid, disguise, electronics, and strategizing. After that, we will collect feedback to see who is interested in which areas. Within one week, I will send you suggested topics to cover with extra courses, and you can give me your feedback."

No one had objections. Sarah said that she will handle it, and she is in charge.

The meeting ended and Konstantin, Dimitri, and Todor left the conference room.

"Are you making another Army of Chaos?", Stella asked Sarah when it was only the two of them in the room.

"No. One is enough.", Sarah responded. "The soldiers will be motivated when they have opportunities to advance. There will be no guarantees that their aspirations will be fulfilled, but it will keep them busy."

Stella agreed. When people don\'t see the path forward, they go astray, and in their line of business, that means that they would look for opportunities elsewhere.

Sarah snickered. "Of course, if there are promising candidates, and they want to join the Army of Chaos, who am I to deny them?"

"Sarah!", Stella snapped. "You would use resources and people from the Lebedev family only to poach soldiers for the Army of Chaos?"

Sarah looked at Stella like she said something ridiculous. "Wouldn\'t you?" Sarah paused and smiled. "Don\'t look at me like that. I am leading both Army of Chaos and Lebedevs and for me, the lines between the two are blurred. I trust my men, but not Lebedevs. I will have my lieutenants come to train the recruits here. They will increase the difficulty of existing training. I also plan to add my men where planning and management of resources happen. It will ensure that there are no traitors in the Lebedev family. If I am providing my men to raise the level of the Lebedevs, isn\'t it fine if I poach a few people in return?"

"You thought about this well.", Stella concluded.

"Mhm…", Sarah hummed in confirmation. "I don\'t need a big organization or random sheep who will end up betraying and attacking each other. A smaller force with a similar mindset and goals that align can accomplish wonders. My goal is to have teams with capable leaders who are working for the benefit of the organization. I don\'t want to micromanage things and that can happen only if my people are present. I believe that you will be able to watch over Konstantin, Dimitri, and Todor. If anything is out of place, let me know, and for the rest, my men will handle it."

Stella didn\'t understand. Sarah has the Army of Chaos, she got into the Lebedev family and her people are in the Voronin family, yet she talks about distancing herself from everything. "What do you plan to do, Sarah?"

Sarah smiled. She knew what her mother was thinking. "You told me more than once that if I want to be the master of my life and do what I want, I need to be the strongest because only the strong ones have the power to create rules. I did what I had to do to reach the top. And I want to lead a simple life. Me and Aiden, with kids and our friends… without anyone trying to kidnap or murder us."

"Are you sure that you are strong enough?"

Sarah tilted her head and observed Stella\'s expression keenly. "Is there anyone else who can endanger us?"

"There is always someone stronger.", Stella responded cryptically. 

Sarah let out a long breath. "If there is, and they are after us, I will take care of them. I will fight for my right to lead my life the way I imagined it, and I don\'t imagine myself sitting on a throne that is at the top of a hill."

Stella was not sure how to respond to this. She saw that Sarah\'s face lit up and she spotted Aiden at the door, looking at Sarah with a smile.

"Everyone came out, and you didn\'t. I was worried.", Aiden told Sarah before she could ask what he is doing there.

"Sorry, love…", Sarah responded and made her way toward him. "I just chatted with mom a bit, but we are done. Is it lunchtime?"

Aiden smiled, thinking that she must be hungry because of the pregnancy. That is his baby, right there. Ah, he can\'t wait for her belly to start showing!

"It\'s early for lunch, but if you are hungry, I can get you a healthy snack.", Aiden said dotingly. 

Sarah leaned on him as they walked out together. "Sounds good."

Stella looked after Sarah and Aiden who held each other, and she smiled while thinking how so many power-hungry people dreamed to be where Sarah is, and she defeated them all only so that she can pass on that position of power… because she wants a simple life.

Stella wondered if Sarah will ever see that her life is many things, but simple is not one of them.

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