Is this destiny?

~ Los Angeles, Mediterranean villa ~

Oscar and Elanor and in the living room with JoAnna, Jeff, Sarah and Aiden.

When Oscar and Elanor announced their visit, they mentioned that they want to talk about Marcus and Jeff decided to bring in reinforcements. They would call Sophia and Felix also, but Sophia is suffering from a heavy nausea, and Felix is with her, so this meeting is going to happen without them.

"You wanted to know about Marcus?", Jeff does not want to delay discussing this unpleasant topic.

"Yes. We visited him and I would like to know the details how he ended up there.", Oscar admitted.

"Why?", Jeff didn't see the point.

Oscar and Elanor know that Marcus plotted to get the position of the Master from Jeff, and that Marcus' ambition was not just that, but the White corp. and everything else that currently Oscar and Jeff have, and next would be assets of Elanor and Aiden. No one would be spared because Marcus wants it all. Jeff doesn't understand why would they care about the details. Marcus is out of the picture, and Jeff didn't kill him. That is all that matters, right?

"Marcus is my brother. Isn't it normal for me to be curious?"

Jeff shrugged. "Not really."

Oscar frowned, irritated by Jeff's attitude. "If Aiden is hospitalized, you would not want to know how he ended up there?"

Jeff narrowed his eyes at Oscar. "Are you comparing Aiden with that traitor who would sell anyone just so that he can reach the top?" Jeff snorted and continued without waiting for Oscar to respond: "Don't answer that. He is where he is because I put him there."

"Explain, please.", Oscar persisted.

"He was already paranoid, we gave him a push and he snapped. Dr. Siltanen is getting generous payments to keep him in and not to ask too many questions. Anything else?", Jeff said impatiently.

"How did Jasmine end up in such a condition?", Elanor asked.

Jeff wondered, why is Elanor asking about Jasmine? But his parents came all the way here just to talk about this and it can end with them getting their answers or in an argument. Jeff is too tired to fight against his parents now. "Marcus suspected that someone close to him is working against him. When he found out that she was tracing his phone behind his back, he became violent."

"Jasmine was working with you?", Oscar wanted to clarify.

"No.", Jeff responded.

"Who was your mole?", Elanor asked.

"No one." Jeff's short answers told Oscar and Elanor that he is losing his patience.

Oscar exhaled in frustration. "You know what I want to know. Can you tell me what you did and how you did it without me pulling each word from you one by one?"

Aiden saw that Jeff is getting irritated by this questioning, so he answered: "We tracked Uncle's emails and phone conversations and he assumed that people are betraying him. Because of this he distanced himself from his associates and became sloppy and vulnerable. His attacks were intercepted easily because we knew when and where he will strike."

Oscar was not satisfied with this explanation. "That does not explain how he and Lukas ended up in a mental institution."

"You really want to know?", Jeff asked Oscar angrily.

"Yes!"

"Why?", Jeff growled. "Did you ever explain to me why you did or didn't do something?"

"Marcus is my brother, and I deserve to know what happened."

"Your brother?", Jeff sneered and pointed at people in the room while talking and his chilling gaze didn't leave Oscar: "And this is my wife and my brother and his fiancée. We are all family, are we not? So why was I stuck to clean up the mess you left lingering for thirty years, yet you stand here and ask me for an explanation? Are you here to tell me how I was too rough on your brother?"

Oscar was taken aback by Jeff's attitude. "You are angry."

"Yes! I am angry! You knew that Marcus is after your position, and that he is waiting for me to take over so that he can strike and what did you do? Nothing!"

"I offered you my help."

"Too late!", Jeff boomed. "Because you didn't deal with Marcus when you should have, he grew to the point of converting not just your old buddies to work against me but MY FRIENDS! Do you think that putting Marcus in that place was difficult? Manipulating few people blinded by greed was the easy part. What took a toll on me and everyone who stood by my side was keeping innocents out of harm's way and handling the aftermath."

Jeff's frown deepened as he took a step closer to Oscar. "Marcus is a cancer. And you knew it. If you removed him in time, his poison would not spread through the organization, corrupting so many people that it literally took an army to stand up against them!"

Oscar was not sure how to respond. His guilt level rose several notches after hearing Jeff's words.

Jeffrey White, his older son who is always calm and composed and calculating the best way to reach his goal now is emotional and that tells Oscar how upset Jeff is.

Elanor stood from the sofa chair and walked to Jeff. She spread her arms and hugged him. "I am proud of you."

Jeff looked at his mother and lifted his eyebrow questionably.

Elanor smiled softly. "You have grown into a great man. You have people to rely on who will help you when needed. As a mother, I am overjoyed to see my boys work together, with capable women by their sides and friends surrounding them."

Elanor moved away from Jeff and her eyes moved between Sarah and Aiden. "I assume the two of you are responsible for Marcus and Lukas seeing things. Can you show us?"

Aiden and Sarah exchanged glances and Sarah moved her hand in the air (instructing Eve on Eve-vision). Few seconds later, another Oscar appeared one step away from the 'original' Oscar, mimicking his movements like a reflection in the mirror.

Oscar extended his arm toward fake-Oscar and the other one did the same. Their fingers 'touched' and Oscar pushed his arm further, making their arms sink into one another.

"Wow…", both Oscars said at the same time, and both jerked when two voices overlapped.

"Are you doing this into Marcus' and Lukas' room now?", Elanor didn't wait for an answer before asking the next question: "How come security cameras don't catch this?"

Sarah did another movement with her hand and the large television showed a live feed from the security camera in the living room. They could see the six of them, and the fake-Oscar was not visible.

"Amazing…", Elanor said under her breath.

After few seconds, Elanor turned to Jeff and Aiden. "Boys, don't judge us too harshly. You are about to grow your own families and I hope that you maintain this harmony you are enjoying right now. You will realize that in time, you will need to make hard decisions where none of the available options leads to a happy ending for everyone."

Oscar looked at Jeff guiltily. "If it makes any difference… I am sorry. I hope you know that I am proud of you." Oscar turned to Aiden. "I am proud of the both of you."

Aiden glanced at Jeff and Jeff understood that Aiden is telling him to cool off. Their father never apologized.

Jeff took a deep breath and held JoAnna's hand in his before speaking for everyone. "We understand that sometimes difficult decisions are made and even though we don't see the reason behind it or don't agree with it, we are a family and we should stick together. I don't want this to put a wedge between us. Dad, I know that you are not approving how Marcus ended up, but he was after me and my family. I am unable to show lenience you did. If you try getting him out of that place, I will not be so kind the next time I deal with him."

Oscar solemnly nodded and assured Jeff: "Don't worry. I will not do anything behind your back."

"Thank you.", Jeff said with a small nod.

Everyone was startled when Elanor clapped loudly and spoke to JoAnna: "Alright! Now that the heavy topic is settled, show me the latest ultrasound pictures. I want to see my grandkids!"

They started talking about JoAnna's pregnancy and the mood in the room warmed up.

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