Mr. Heine observed the driveway and noticed a lot of staff and extensive security. It reminded him of the party he attended at the White Mansion while he was still a powerful figure, but these security people looked more menacing. Just based on this, Mr. Heine concluded that the new owner of the mansion is not someone he should take lightly.
Mr. Heine was greeted by security at the entrance which made sure he does not have any weapons before letting him inside. He observed the villa while moving to the back where the party is set up. It's a beautiful day, and there is seating in the garden, but Mr. Heine was amazed by the large event hall. That didn't exist while he lived here. What he sees as an event hall is an indoor gym and training area, but all the equipment is removed, and after decorations and fancy crystal chandeliers got set up, the space looks very elegant.
Other than the addition of the event hall, Mr. Heine noticed that the whole villa has a different feel to it. Like it's brighter and he could not figure out why he feels that way. Mr. Heine feared that he will see that his childhood home was neglected or ruined in some way, but it seems that a new life was breathed into it. Again, he wondered who the new owner is.
While on the topic of the new owner, Ron was upstairs, in the guest room, which was set up as a dressing room for guys. He was there with Jason, Colin, Marshall.
The program for the event includes that Jeff will open up the event officially shortly after 4 PM by announcing the new director (aka Ron) and at that time Ron will make his grand entrance. Ron will talk about the future of Heinelurgy with him as the CEO and he will introduce people who will work closely with him: Jason, Colin, Marshall, and of course, Zula.
Jason, Colin, and Marshall tortured Julia for more than a year for what she did to them before her body gave up. They are grateful to Ron for that opportunity and they all pledged their loyalty to him. Since then, Jason, Colin, and Marshall are studying hard.
Jason and Colin are in college, they have scholarships from White corp. and they chose business majors. Marshall is a senior in high school, and he will start college next year. Whenever the school is out, the three of them come to Heinelurgy and work next to people who Jeff appointed to take care of the company until Ron turns twenty-one.
Other than studying in order to help Ron in Heinelurgy, each of the boys is also training to fight and to use weapons. They all saw how Ron and Zula are capable and asked them for guidance, which the couple provided.
Ron already assigned areas of focus to Jason, Colin, and Marshall at Heinelurgy, and until they are fully out of school, Ron and Zula will handle the company with the help of Jeff's people. As the youngsters get the hang of it, Ron will release Jeff's people so that they can resume their work in other areas of White corp.
"Are you nervous?" Marshall asked Colin.
"No." Colin lied.
Jason made a mocking face. "If you are not nervous, why are your legs shaky?"
Colin pouted. "I can't help it. My parents are here…"
"It will be OK, guys…" Ron said while adjusting his necktie. "No matter who is in the audience, keep in mind that we are the stars, and we control our destiny. And theirs."
Marshall, Colin, and Jason nodded in agreement. They all know that this is the town that enabled people like Julia Heine, and they had to suffer in silence for years. Now is their time to shine. By standing at the top of Heinelurgy, the four of them are practically controlling the lifeline of the whole town. That is a good place to be.
Ron checked the time before turning on the television and switching it to a channel that showed the live video feed from the event downstairs. "Let's see what is going on downstairs. Come and pay attention, there are some new faces you didn't meet, and it will be good to know who they are. A good businessman is always prepared, and the greatest weapon is information."
Ron was touched to see that Jeff is there, in the last two years, he helped him a lot. Also, in attendance were Charlie and Steve and the top executives from the White corp., as well as Jeff's college friends: Jasper, Russel, and Vincent.
"Who are these people with Jasper?" Marshall asked.
Marshall, Colin, and Jason came to Los Angeles several times and they had a chance to meet Jasper and they know that Jasper and Jeff are close, so they assumed that Russel and Vincent are also important figures.
Ron was pleased that Marshall asked, and he was happy to respond: "The one in the black suit is Russel Harper. He leads Harper investments. They have a strong presence on the East Coast and in Western Europe. The lady by his side is his wife, Anita Harper. She was a model who started her fashion company; they were doing OK until they were acquired by EY designs. Now Anita works as an assistant for Ellie, Jasper's wife, who owns EY designs. The man in the dark gray suit is Vincent Price, he is a politician and he is running for Senate this year as a democrat. The lady by his side in the blue dress is his wife, Ashley Mitchell-Price. She is the CFO of Mitchell laboratories…"
In the event hall…
"You left the kids at home?" Sarah asked JoAnna when she approached JoAnna, Ellie, and Emma.
JoAnna nodded and glanced through the window to the backyard. "I see you brought your kids with you."
Sarah turned to see outside and smiled at the sight of three panthers perched up in the tree canopies, relaxing like there is no party below them, and Hero, Luna, and Bella sitting in attention around Aiden who is talking with Allen and Julius. Sarah understood that JoAnna's comment was about their six fur-babies.
"Yeah. All our kids are here." Sarah responded. "Did you check on big sis?"
Sarah knows that Sophia said that she feels like she is going to burst, and JoAnna and Jeff went to the Tuscan villa first so that JoAnna can examine Sophia. That is why JoAnna and Jeff arrived one hour later than planned.
"I did. Big sis will not have her baby today. But she is uncomfortable, so she and Felix decided to stay home."
Sarah approved. "They can watch the live feed if they want, and if labor starts mid-flight, I don't know what they would do."
"Felix saw two deliveries. He should know what to do." JoAnna said half-jokingly.
Sarah stifled a laugh and glanced at Ellie's eight months big belly. "How about you? Was the ride here OK?"
Ellie confirmed. "With the helicopter we got from Charlie, the flight is less than one hour from our home in Chicago."
"You left Gray at home?" Sarah asked about Ellie's and Jasper's one and a half years old son, Grayden.
"Mhm…" Ellie hummed. "Melissa and Angelo are babysitting so that we can stay overnight without feeling guilty of leaving Gray at home with only nanny."
Sarah bobbed her head while imagining Melissa and Angelo… not babysitting, but probably doing more grownup things while nanny watches over the toddler.
Sarah still has difficulty accepting that Melisa and Angelo are dating. It's not that she is against it, but it's unbelievable: Madam Kiani and Capo De Luca. What a pairing! The last time Sarah saw them, they were holding hands and gazing at each other lovingly and the sparks between them started at the Christmas party at the Cliffside Villa two years ago. She remembers that when they found out about this romance, Aiden laughed and told her that she can start a matchmaking service if her current endeavors fail.
Sarah glanced at Emma's four months big belly which is barely noticeable and sighed.
JoAnna rubbed Sarah's shoulder and spoke softly: "It's OK. Just be patient..."
Sarah looked at JoAnna and wondered, does JoAnna know that Sarah thought how she is the only one without babies (the human, biological babies)? But she didn't want to ask because then Ellie and Emma will hear that she stopped taking pills because she wants to get pregnant. It's not that Sarah wants to hide it from them, but the more people know, the higher is the chance that the information will reach Aiden's ears, and then she will not be able to surprise him. And she really looks forward to the day when she can do that.
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