Is this destiny?

By now, Sarah realized that Albert was set on sabotaging her, and Sarah was angry. Not because Albert didn't like her, but because they called her here without previously sorting their own ranks. Jarred should know that Albert (and maybe a few other people present) were not willing to extend this offer to Sarah so, why was she here? They made an elaborate show of inviting her with all the secrecy only so that she can look at their internal power struggle with her in the middle? These people wasted not only her time but the time of everyone who is outside, watching her back.

She remembered how anxious Aiden was, and she was anxious as well, and for what? For her to come here and see Albert acting like a child who was denied candy? Sarah didn't know about Albert's motives and she didn't care. She cared only about Aiden and her people and they were all in distress over this joke of a meeting.

Sarah's temper was flaring. "If you are watching me, how you claimed, you would know that many approached me for alliance and exchange of benefits. I decide with whom I will be working. You want to keep your anonymity, that is fine with me. But I still need to know in what areas I can expect to get assistance and to what extent, in case I agree to join this merry group. I believe that my request is reasonable. How I see it, you are asking me to do things for you without giving me anything in return. Why would I accept?"

"I don't think you understand. We are not people you can refuse, and we don't negotiate. We know things about you, and that includes information about your family and associates.", Rance spoke finally and he moved forward, into the light.

Rance has a strong influence on farmers and merchants in South Africa and he would love to get his hands on the mines that Sarah and Aiden control in that area. That is why he decided to join Albert in provoking Sarah.

"Are you threatening me?", Sarah asked with hostility obvious in her voice.

"No, no…", Sinet interjected. "No one is threatening anyone."

Sinet said that there are no threats, but Sarah heard Rance talk about her, and he also brought up her family. That was an obvious threat, and Sarah's family is her bottom line.

Sarah could sense the tense atmosphere in the room as people were trying to make others submit. Why on earth would she agree to become a member of this Council? Who put them in charge? Sarah was happy that the matters with the Lebedevs and Voronins are settled and that she will get to enjoy with her family, and she had no intention to join this power-struggle that had nothing to do with her.

Maybe Sinet, Sloan, and Jarred openly supported Sarah, but Sarah had to wonder about their sincerity. What if they are only pretending in order to backstab her? Also, others are either hostile or neutral and Sarah was confident that the hostile ones will not hesitate to act against Sarah only to prove their point. Sarah was aware that just by seeing their faces, those people will feel threatened by Sarah if she does not become a member of the Council. This officially turned into a dangerous game where they won't be able to coexist.

Sarah looked at Jarred. "I suggest you tidy up your house before inviting guests. I believe that we are done here."

Jarred pressed his lips into a line and silently cursed Albert and Rance. They all agreed to meet with Sarah and to welcome her into Council, yet these two are sabotaging it. Based on Sarah's attitude, she will not accept to join.

"Sarah, don't go like that!", Suvedini exclaimed. She stayed in the darkness, fearing that Sarah will see her as a spy for the Council.

At first, Suvedini approached Sarah out of curiosity. Jarred spoke highly of Sarah and Suvedini wanted to see it for herself. Getting involved with Mr. Wang was not part of Suvedini's plan, and Suvedini was not at liberty to talk about the Council. For this meeting, Suvedini hoped to stay in the darkness and figure out a way to explain things to Sarah later but now she saw that Sarah was about to leave on a bad note and she couldn't stay quiet.

"Is there anything else?", Sarah asked and Suvedini felt bad when Sarah looked at her like she was a stranger.

"We invited you here in good faith.", Suvedini said. "We hope that we can collaborate. It will be in everyone's best interest. Together we can accomplish anything."

"What we can accomplish, will depend on the report you provide me with. You know my email address. After I receive information, I will need one week to decide if I accept joining this Council."

"It's not on you to decide if you will join the Council.", Rance said.

"Can you shut up?", Jarred hissed at Rance. Why is this man playing with fire?

Sarah ignored Jarred she smiled at Rance mockingly. "Will you decide it for me?"

"We can refuse to accept you.", Rance responded.

Sarah snickered. "If you don't want me to join, I wouldn't be here. Now it's up to you to make me a good offer. I will be waiting."

"Watch your attitude!", Albert said. "Don't act like you are above it all. No matter how strong you are, there is always someone stronger."

"That should apply to you as well." Sarah took a step away from the table and bowed a little. Her smug smile showed that she didn't have any respect for the group of people in front of her. "If you excuse me…"

Sarah walked out of the room and waved at Nala and Oni to move. "We are done here."

"What is wrong with you? This is not how we agreed...", Sarah heard Jarred ask before the door closed behind her.

"Sarah, wait!", Jarred called as he rushed after her down the hallway.

"It was not necessary for me to come here, old man.", Sarah said impatiently without halting her steps.

"I'm sorry for what happened."

Sarah stopped and looked at Jarred. "For what are you sorry? For wasting my time? Or for planting Suvedini to spy on me? Did you spy on me as well? Of course, you did. You are having your pleasant expression on while plotting for me to join this Council so that you can use my people to do your dirty work. Did you plan for this when we met in Vegas or is it more recent? It's not going to happen."

Jarred's brows furrowed. He could see that Sarah was upset for more than just Albert and Rance.

"Meeting you in Las Vegas was not intentional. I started paying attention to you after you helped Charlie with his legs and when you bought the first two helicopters.", Jarred admitted. "When I found out that you are behind the Army of Chaos I started seeing you as a good candidate for the empty spot at that table. Sarah, what you saw inside is not how the Council works."

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