Is this destiny?

Sarah, Aiden, Hong, Maksim, Noah, Aaron, Michael, Oni, Haru, and Nala were in the office of the Grand Master. Kitty was by Sarah\'s side, and others who came with them from the Lebedev family were in the hallway, acting as security, or relaxing in Maksim\'s office. There are too many of them to fit in the office of the Grand Master, so they had to split up.

They set up a number of laptops side-by-side on the desk and the coffee table and they watched video feeds which showed what Elders and seniors of the Voronin family are doing.

Maksim was not sure what is going on. "Is there a reason we are watching this?"

"Mhm…", Sarah hummed in response. "After a big change, rats will feel that the ship is sinking. Now we are filtering rats from the rest."

They saw Elder Toma instructing his assistant to stash some money on his personal account. Another Elder was rearranging merchandise between warehouses.

"Everyone is a rat.", Maksim said matter-of-factly. "Do you think that any of them is in their position because they are being nice?"

Sarah bobbed her head. "We want to give everyone a benefit of a doubt. However, if they are all corrupt, we will get rid of everyone."

"That is a lot of people.", Maksim said.

Sarah shot him a side glance and gestured with her chin toward the screen, silently telling him to watch.

Instead of focusing on the screen, Maksim looked at Sarah. "Where is the knife I gave you?"

Sarah rolled her eyes internally. Why is Maksim talking like he gave her a necklace or some other shiny accessory? But even if it was the most gorgeous jewelry, there is no way she would wear it.

"I left it at home."

"You said you will wear it."

"I didn\'t. That was your assumption because I didn\'t respond when you said that I should wear it. Do you want me to play a recording of that conversation?"

"That is not necessary.", Maksim grumbled and turned toward the monitor which showed one Elder.

"What do you mean, no one is answering?", the Elder who wanted to move merchandise asked his assistant.

"No one is answering. There is no other meaning behind my words.", the assistant responded.

"What did you do with that warehouse?", Maksim asked Sarah when he realized that they are not only watching what Elders are doing, but they are watching them failing.

Noah snorted. "If you think it\'s just that warehouse, you are mistaken."

"What else did you capture?", Maksim asked.

Aaron grinned. "Everything."

Maksim frowned in confusion and Noah was happy to boast.

"You already figured out that this is much more than just Lebedevs. You can\'t imagine how big this operation is. Let me show you a glimpse…", Noah said and waved at Maksim to come to the window. He gestured toward the square that was below them. "Look at all these people on the streets. They are walking and not suspecting what is coming in four… three… pay attention… one… now!"

Maksim\'s eyes widened when he saw everyone who was in visible range fall down on the ground without making a single sound.

Maksim wanted to ask what is going on, but he heard Sarah talk: "Yes, it\'s done. Get our people out to take Voronins for interrogation. Yes, just as we planned... leave Elders and seniors for last, and take them out when they freak out because everyone disappeared."

Maksim watched as soldiers in black uniforms emerged from the streets onto the square and they dragged people in several directions. Less than a minute later, the square below was completely empty. It looked like a ghost town.

"What happened?", Maksim asked Sarah.

"I will not leave my people here to be surrounded by enemies. We will interrogate every person and confirm if they are a threat or not before we decide what to do with them."

Maksim didn\'t understand. "How will you know that they are telling the truth?"

Sarah smiled. "We have our ways. You are welcome to watch. They will tell us everything and we don\'t need to hit them."

"Will you interrogate me as well?"

Sarah shrugged and looked at Hong. "I will leave that to your Uncle to decide. As long as you are not a threat to us, I won\'t meddle in your family\'s issues. Hong, we will leave this place to you… or should I call you Gedeon from now on?"

Hong smiled. "Any is fine. Thank you for everything."

Their plan is that Hong will stay at the main base of the Voronins with Noah, Aaron, Haru, Nala, Souta, Camila, Wing, Azra, Bo, and Francisca as well as Igor, Elliot, and soldiers from the Army of Chaos.

Their task will be to handle the reorganization of the Voronin family and sort out people and resources. Of course, they will work with Sarah, JoAnna, and Sophia, but the three Hill sisters will stay at the base of the Lebedev family and deal with the things on that side while communicating with Hong and his helpers online.

Hong still didn\'t decide if he wants to be the Grand Master of the Voronin family as something permanent, but he knows that sorting out these people is a necessary step, no matter what he decides to do after that.

"By tonight, we will have a preliminary report on how our allies executed their part and you will get a copy.", Sarah told Hong. "Did you decide what to do with Tashi?"

"I want to clean up this place first. Give me two days to focus on matters here, and then we can talk about other things."

"Will you help Hong?", Aiden asked Maksim.

Maksim confirmed. "I will do what I can."

Sarah was happy that Maksim will help Hong, and she was surprised that Aiden spoke to Maksim.

She approached Aiden and hugged him. "Why do I get a feeling that you are getting along with Maksim?"

Aiden smiled. "You are my bottom line. As long as he knows that you are mine, I am fine with him."

Maksim stifled a laugh. "Why do you sound like I gave up on getting Divna\'s attention?"

Aiden\'s mood dropped instantly. "Didn\'t you say that you will not flirt with her because her husband is right here?", Aiden pointed at himself.

"Ah, that was for my father to hear. I am not known for giving up easily on things that catch my eye, and Divna is catchy."

Aiden\'s face contorted in anger. "You!"

"Wait, wait!", Sarah pulled Aiden away from Maksim before they explode into a fight. "Please, don\'t allow him to provoke you. You know that he can\'t do anything. No one can."

Sarah exhaled when she felt Aiden\'s body relaxing and she glared at Maksim who smiled smugly.

Sarah felt the urgency to leave this place before things escalate. She turned to Haru and Nala. "I expect the two of you to return by tomorrow evening so that you can help in preparation for the party."

Maksim perked up. "A party?"

"We will have a barbecue party.", Sarah responded.

Maksim\'s eyes widened at the thought of a party with food. And Sarah will be there! "Can I join?"

"No!", Aiden snapped, and Hong waved at Aiden to calm down.

"If you prove yourself to be helpful, then yes.", Hong said to Maksim.

Maksim forced a smile. "How can I help you, Uncle?"

Hong scrutinized Maksim. "You better adjust that attitude, or you are not coming with me to the main base of Lebedevs for a party."

Maksim\'s smile widened. "Allow me to be of assistance, Uncle!"

Hong rolled his eyes. "No need to be overdramatic. I can\'t figure out if you are that easy to read or if you are mocking me." Hong exhaled and waved his hand, indicating that it does not matter. "You don\'t need to be polite toward me, but I expect you to do your best and don\'t slack off."

Sarah smiled seeing Maksim and Hong interact. Somehow, she had a feeling that they will get along well.

"Young master Maksim…", Sarah called. "I believe that my part of the deal is completed. Your father is not the Grand Master and you are off the hook. I will leave it to you and your Uncle to decide about your involvement with the Voronin family going forward, and if you need a second opinion, I am available. Now it\'s your turn to deliver on your end of the bargain."

Maksim nodded in understanding. "You want Vasily\'s body."

"Yes. Can you tell us where it is so that we can take him with us?"

"I will do better and take you there. Come with me…"

Maksim walked out first, with Sarah and Aiden following after him. Michael, Oni, and Kitty were next and as they walked further, Konstantin, Stella, and many others joined them.

---

If you are not reading this at \'W e b n o v e l .. c o m\', then the content you\'re reading is stolen! Please support the author by reading this novel from the original source.