Is this destiny?

Sarah mused about Mia's words before speaking, "We are capable of taking someone out or delivering a warning. Why do I need you for?"

"They know who you are, and they are probably watching your people. Attack from my side will catch them off guard."

Sarah was not sure how to react to this. Mia was smug and confident, and she also made sense.

Sure, Mia didn't know about Eve, the drones, and Sarah's numerous allies, but Sarah was intrigued by this young woman who extruded confidence (even with an upset stomach), and Sarah wanted to find out more.

"What's in it for you?", Sarah asked Mia.

Mia spread her hands. "A meeting with Nyx and Erebus is all I ask. I hope that you will keep an open mind and give us a chance to prove that we changed as an organization. We can do this job for you as a sign of good faith."

Sarah rejected. "I don't owe people. By the time you come asking me to repay the favor, the interest will be too much to handle."

Mia agreed with Sarah's logic. Even if Mia never asks for the favor to be returned, there will be a responsibility to act amicably. "Then, we should sit and discuss our potential for collaboration. I don't expect you to accept anything other than a meeting. We will show you what we have and see if we can come up with something that resembles an agreement."

Sarah noticed one detail. "Who is that WE?"

"It's me and my husband, Hunter. He is currently accompanying Max for his meeting with CEO White at the White corp.", Mia explained.

Sarah was inclined to accept the meeting. Not so much because of Mia's offer, but because of her attitude. Sarah liked it.

If Sarah's hunch was correct and they end up working with Mia, Mia can help her deal with Albert covertly and that will save the Army of Chaos time and resources while providing Sarah a chance to observe how Mia's men work.

"You will get your meeting.", Sarah confirmed and spoke to Nala. "Schedule something for today."

Sarah glanced at Mia. "I hope that works for you."

Mia smiled brightly. "Other than accompanying Liz, my schedule is open."

"One more thing before we continue…", Sarah said, and Mia froze. "Check the result of your test…"

…

For lunch, Jeff, Max, Hunter, Sophia, and Felix met with JoAnna, Sarah, Mia, and Liz.

Aiden arrived a few minutes later. While Sarah was in the LA Medical Center, Aiden was with Michael and Haru at the base of the Army of Chaos, sifting through various information from Africa related to reinforcements settling in and around the mines, and about movements of Rance's people.

On the way to the restaurant, Aiden got a message from Sarah that Mia and Hunter are not just bodyguards and that they want to meet with them.

After reading about Mia's proposal, Aiden hoped that this duo from Seattle will not bring them more trouble. They already have too much on their plate, and his wife is pregnant and needs to rest, damnit!

"In this private room we can talk without being disturbed or spied on.", Jeff informed their guests from Seattle.

"I don't see bodyguards.", Hunter said while looking around.

"This is Boyle Heights neighborhood.", Sarah responded. "Everyone here works for us."

Hunter nodded in understanding and focused on Mia who was unusually dispirited.

Mia has a bubbly and cheerful personality, and she normally gets excited before food, but now her mood was off and Hunter was concerned if something happened in the hospital.

As soon as they took their seats, Liz informed them that she and JoAnna examined Vasily, and she sent the data to her assistants for additional opinions.

"They should get back to me within an hour, and then I will share my thoughts. Please, be patient…", Liz implored.

Well, they didn't have any other choice and the chat moved on topic of Seattle. Hill sisters loved to hear what is going on in their hometown.

The question, "how did you meet?", was inevitable, and Sarah was delighted to hear that Max and Liz made some of their first relationship steps in the Black Rose nightclub.

"We have a private room there that is exclusively ours…", Sarah said proudly. "We are not there often, so you are welcome to use it, if you wish. I will let the staff know."

"That is very generous.", Liz said. "I've seen the rooms on the upper level, but we always stay in Max's booth."

Max smiled mischievously. "Booth? That's only for the drink. After that, we are on the dancefloor."

"You are a dancer?", Sophia asked while eyeing Max.

That was one of the politest personal questions she could think of. While in Seattle, Sophia was busy working at the Orion Enterprise, but she heard stories about Maximilian Anderson, the most eligible bachelor in Seattle, the king of the night… a playboy.

She wondered, how is it possible that Max married this sweet and capable woman (aka Elizabeth). Did he change his ways? Well, if Aiden changed for Sarah, anything is possible.

"I know a move or two that my lady approves of.", Max responded smugly while his eyes didn't leave Liz who was blushing.

Liz never got used to Max's suggestive remarks (and behavior) when someone else is present. He is shameless.

JoAnna burst into giggles. "Don't be uncomfortable, Liz. I'm not sure about your brother-in-law, but your husband just proved that he will blend in with the men from my family perfectly. No matter how old they are and how much money they have, they get the biggest kick by bragging about their might in the bedroom."

JoAnna and Liz had a chance to talk while examining Vasily, and they clicked immediately. Well, JoAnna has an outgoing personality and she makes friends easily. The fact that both JoAnna and Liz are surgeons who excelled in their respective fields early was an additional point that brought them closer. And they were both married to powerful CEOs and were at the head of their hospitals and... they had a lot in common.

Liz exhaled and shook her head helplessly at JoAnna's comment about Max. "That's the truth."

"I'm not bragging.", Max said matter-of-factly. "I'm telling the truth."

Liz rolled her eyes and looked at JoAnna. "Do you hear this?"

JoAnna nodded and leaned on Jeff. "Jeff is a bit shy with strangers, but once you get to know him, you will see that he is just like that."

"Why are you talking about me like I'm not here?", Jeff asked JoAnna. "It makes me wonder what are you saying when I'm not by your side."

"And why does it sound like I said anything inappropriate?", Max chimed in. "I was talking about dancing."

Jeff nodded earnestly while supporting Max. "How I see it, the ladies at this table have naughty thoughts."

JoAnna and Liz laughed, and Sophia saw that they hit it off well. It was obvious that Jeff and Max were getting along fine.

Feeling like a responsible adult at the table, Sophia checked on the others...

---

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