Is this destiny?

After the performances, everyone gathered around the Christmas tree for presents.

The kids and the staff received on the previous evening matching pajamas and slippers from Sarah and Aiden, and they thought how that\'s it. No one was prepared for the overwhelming present-bonanza which followed.

There was something for everyone, from bobbing-head pencil holders to sweaters, books, sweets, gift cards, personalized mugs, and electronics.

Some presents were custom made.

Beck and Nico built for their friends mini-robots which can perform various actions.

Penny gave everyone a voucher that can be exchanged for seven days long stay in the presidential suite in any of her hotels.

Imani, Azra, and Camilla joined forces to create their presents. Azra and Camilla sewn pouches that can be attached to the belt, and Imani filled them with necessities for first aid. These will be very practical to have around when they go on missions.

Felix gifted to kids stylish platinum bracelets. Of course, they have several hidden features. When you press a specific link, it will project the current time, another link will activate a laser which can cut several inches of steel within a minute, the third link will transform the bracelet into a powerful magnet, there is a function to send a distress signal, it can track body vitals such as temperature, heartbeat and blood pressure, and a secret always-on feature is a connection to Eve.

"This can\'t be what I think it is…" Sarah said when she opened the box from JoAnna, and she saw that Aiden and all the kids got one as well. Sarah had to read again the note which was packed with the small ampule before looking at her sister. "You gave the truth serum to everyone?"

JoAnna nodded smugly. "Yup. My gift to everyone is one hour of truth!"

Sarah didn\'t think it\'s a good idea. "That can turn into a disaster."

"Only if the other person is hiding something horrible." JoAnna looked at the kids who were nearby and spoke loudly: "You can use it on anyone you want, and if someone bullies you, come to me. I will protect you."

"Please, think before using it…" Sarah pleaded.

Aiden laughed. "This will add a twist for the next time we play truth or dare..."

Sarah didn\'t think it\'s funny. 

Sarah\'s mood improved when she saw that Stella gave everyone a personal container of medicinal cream from the Lebedev family. This will be useful, all of them get injured during training and missions.

About half an hour later, everyone returned to their respective seats in a good mood, each with a gift bag full of opened presents.

The tables were cleaned from snack items and set up for dinner.

Other than the clean plates, utensils, and appetizers, every guest on the table a palm-sized jewelry box with a logo \'Blanc\'.

"If I can have your attention…" Sarah spoke while holding the microphone. "We recently acquired several mines and we consolidated them under the name Blanc. In front of you is a finished product from our processing plant and we hope you will like it. Please accept it as a present which will bring good fortune to you and to our new business venture!"

Everyone thanked Sarah and Aiden in unison and their hands moved to open the boxes.

A mix of \'Ohs\' and \'Ahs\' filled the event hall when people saw finely polished gems in front of them. Someone got a ruby, others jade, some emerald, topaz, or a sapphire. Every gem was generous in size and was cut in a style that allowed it to show its brilliance.

Jeff had a bitter smile on his handsome face while remembering from where those gems are from. Those mines belonged to Bradley\'s family. Bradley, the man Jeff considered to be his friend… the fake-friend who decided to join hands with Marcus and work against Jeff in order to get small benefits which can\'t be compared with what Jeff would lose if their plan succeeded.

Jeff was startled when JoAnna\'s hand landed on top of his.

He met her gaze which told him that she is there for him.

"You did well by giving them these mines." JoAnna said only for Jeff to hear while looking at the big sapphire whose color matches her eyes. "I am proud of you."

Jeff smiled. He was not sure why she is praising him. Is it possible that she noticed his mood was off? His Anna is amazing.

After dinner, it was after nine o\'clock and time for dancing. Sarah and Aiden reminded everyone that at eleven o\'clock they will have fireworks as the last planned event for the evening.

Melissa excused herself and went to the ladies\' room.

Angelo looked at Mathew. "I see that you are friendly with Lisa."

Mathew confirmed. "That is normal. We are in-laws."

"Just in-laws?" Angelo wanted to confirm.

Mathew glanced around nervously and spoke in an urgent whisper: "Stop insinuating things. If my Ellie hears you, she will think I\'m fooling around with her mother-in-law. I told you, we are only in-laws, and other than that our relationship is strictly business."

He recently fixed his relationship with Ellie, and if Ellie thinks that he is sleeping around… it will be troublesome.

Angelo smiled. "OK. I believe you."

Melisa returned at the table and Angelo stood up. "Can I have this dance?"

Melisa hesitated for a second before accepting. There is no harm in dancing, is there? And she is sitting for most of the evening.

Now that Angelo and Melisa went to the dancefloor, Stella moved to that table and sat on Angelo\'s chair before turning to Hong (aka Master Hollow).

"I\'m not dancing." Hong said flatly.

Stella\'s eyebrows shoot up. "I was not thinking of inviting you to dance."

Hong looked at her suspiciously. "Why are you here then?"

"I was curious about your disciples… and their moves. Did you teach them that?"

"I did."

Stella scrutinized the old man before asking: "Are you maybe…?"

She didn\'t finish her question when Hong raised his hand, interrupting her.

"Right now, I am the master of three disciples who accepted the hospitality of your daughter and her husband to stay here while I\'m recuperating. No more and no less."

Stella understood that the old man will not say more than that. Several minutes into a staring contest, Stella gave up and went back to her seat.

"He is not talking?" Edward asked.

"No."

"He knows who you are?"

Stella remembered how the man looked at her during lunch, and now his gaze told her that he knows her secrets. With all that combined, there is no way that the old man does not know that she is from the Lebedev family. Yet, he still dared to act smugly and not satisfy her curiosity. But if Hong is the man Stella thinks he is, he has the right to look down on her. The question is, how did Sarah and Aiden manage to get him here?

When Sarah introduced them, Sarah said that the old man and his disciples are here for more than three months, and that they will stay at least until spring. Based on how the kids are interacting with the old man, they are definitely treating him as their teacher. Is he sharing his knowledge with all the kids here? Is he the reason behind Sarah\'s sudden improvement? No, not possible... Stella noticed that Sarah\'s moves evolved almost a year ago, and the old man is here only for about three months. However, is Stella supposed to believe the story that they met accidentally in a forest and that he was shot while saving his disciple from armed poachers?

"Dear?"

Edward\'s voice pulled Stella out of her thoughts.

"Yes?"

"You didn\'t answer my question. Does he know who you are?"

Stella exhaled. "I believe that he knows…"

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