Is this destiny?

Max paused for a moment before speaking to Jeff seriously, "Three years ago, my wife was kidnapped. Her rescue was a mix of good luck and quick thinking, but it was a close call. Since then, I am investing resources in security as I don't want that to happen again. The word on the market is that your equipment is top of the line. I want the best that you have, the price will not be a problem. This is not for my company, it's personal."

Jeff nodded solemnly as he remembered the time when JoAnna was kidnapped. He thought that he is about to lose his mind. Thanks to Sarah, Aiden, and their drones, they were able to find JoAnna.

"I see. In that case, Director Hill will join us.", Jeff said and gestured to Leah to call Sophia.

"Sarah?", Hunter blurted out and he glanced around to see that Jeff, Allen, and Julius are scrutinizing him.

"No. Sophia.", Jeff said stiffly. "You know Sarah?"

"Only by reputation.", Hunter responded with an awkward smile. He didn't know that mentioning Sarah will make everyone tense.

Jeff nodded in understanding. "Sophia and Sarah are both my wife's sisters. Sophia will join us in a few minutes, and you will get to meet Sarah later, as she will join us for lunch."

"Really?", Hunter was unable to hide his excitement. They were thinking about how to meet with Sarah and Aiden, and this is better than he expected.

Jeff confirmed. "The patient Dr. Williams is examining with my wife is family. Sarah is with them in the hospital, waiting to hear the results. We all hope that Dr. Williams can do something about his condition."

Hunter nodded with a small smile on his face. He really wanted to meet with Sarah and Aiden, and Max is more than capable to handle this business part. Ah, Mia is with Sarah now! Is Aiden there as well?

Between Mia and Hunter, Mia is the impulsive one, while Hunter has more tact. He hoped that Mia won't do something rash and spoil their chance for collaboration with the Army of Chaos.

Sophia entered the office with Pam two steps behind her.

"You called for me?", Sophia asked Jeff.

Jeff nodded and gestured toward Max and Hunter. "These are Maximilian Anderson and Hunter Anderson, from the Alpha group in Seattle. They are interested in our security equipment."

Sophia understood that they want to hear about the 'special' security equipment.

It was unusual that Jeff was offering it to outsiders, as those are available only for their closest friends and partners. After all, those are special gadgets that Felix is making and they all have the capability of working with Eve, but the Eve-functionality is not disclosed to others; only Sarah, Aiden, JoAnna, Jeff, Sophia, and Felix know about Eve.

"The Alpha group?", Sophia asked. "I heard a lot about you."

Max responded with a smile, "We also heard about the Orion Enterprise. It's a pity that you left Seattle."

"Max's wife is Dr. Williams who is currently examining Vasily.", Jeff said.

Sophia nodded in understanding. Now she knew why Jeff would offer extra services to these people. If that doctor is able to operate and improve Vasily's condition, they will owe them greatly. But what if she can't help Vasily or if she refuses to help?

Sophia was ready to start negotiations and not disclose anything before they find out if that woman can do anything.

"We have an array of equipment available. I hope you understand that we will not easily disclose this information. I want to hear about your needs and what you currently have in place before suggesting improvements. I hope you will agree to a non-disclosure agreement before we bring out any details…"

"Of course…", Max agreed right away. He was aware that how much Sophia discloses might be tied to the success of Liz's procedure, because Jeff didn't show interest in the folders that had proposals for several business deals between the Alpha group and the White corp.

Jeff looked at Sophia and smiled a little. He was happy that she caught onto his plan right away. The two of them are working together for several years, and since Orion Enterprise became part of the White corp., Sophia became Jeff's second in command. Just by exchanging glances, Sophia and Jeff can share an understanding of their next steps.

~ Los Angeles, LA Medical Center ~

Sarah, Mia, Nala, and Oni are in JoAnna's office, waiting for JoAnna and Liz to finish tests related to Vasily's condition and return with results.

Oni and Nala are busy on their laptops, going through various reports that were delivered by Mishi, Maksim, and Ellie, related to tracing Albert's movements in Europe.

Mia is browsing on her phone while coming up with various ideas on how to bring up talking about the Army of Chaos with Sarah (aka Nyx).

Oblivious to three women in the room, Sarah is munching on pretzels dipped in chocolate and her mood is not good.

First, they had to bring Vasily here. Sarah wanted to keep him at the Cliffside Villa, but considering that Liz came from Seattle and they wanted to do tests, Vasily had to be moved. At the Cliffside Villa they have the machines for tracking Vasily's condition and sustaining him, but equipment for detailed exams is available only in the hospital.

Second, the information Suvedini brought on the previous night was unsettling. Sarah was already upset because the Council was twisting her arm to join them, and now they are attacking her? She was NOT happy. Instead of checking out the Chaos nightclub and enjoying her Tuesday night in Aiden's embrace, she spent half of the night at the main base of the Army of Chaos, preparing to defend against attacks. By the time they returned home, Sarah was too tired for cuddles.

And third, Sarah is pregnant, so everything is impacting her mood.

Sarah noticed that Mia was eyeing her, and she assumed that Mia was interested in the chocolate-covered pretzels.

"Do you want some?"

After a slight hesitation, Mia took a handful.

She didn't want to eat as her stomach was churning, but refusing would be bad manners. Mia remembered that Liz warned her about eating too much of everything, back in the hotel, and now Mia regretted not listening to Liz.

Two bites later, Mia grimaced. "Where is the restroom?"

Sarah pointed toward the door on the right, and Mia dashed inside.

"Anything important?", Sarah asked when Mia closed the door behind her, leaving Sarah with Nala and Oni in the room.

Sarah was itchy to find out if Oni and Nala found hints that would prove Suvedini as an ally or an enemy, but Sarah couldn't talk openly to her assistants in front of Mia.

"Report from Ellie is showing that Albert's men have increased activity, but I am still trying to make sense of this information.", Oni said.

Nala hummed. "Same with reports from Maksim. Albert is up to something…"

Sarah puffed her cheeks and exhaled dejectedly. 

She didn't want Suvedini to be an enemy, but if Suvedini was an ally and her warning was true, that means the Army of Chaos is facing an immeasurable foe.

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