Chapter 1716 - Swans Have One Partner For Life

Jeff found Felix in the room that is set up for kids. Felix often goes there, watches kids, and takes videos which he sends to Sophia and JoAnna.

Alice, Jayden, Lia, and Adam are playing with Attila and Milica. Valentin is too little to play and he is stuck in the crib, sleeping through the noise all other kids are making.

Alice is dressing up Milica who is mesmerized that she has girls to play with, and Jayden is doing his own thing. Adam and Attila are playing with trains and cars while Lia is with Alice and Milica sometimes, but mostly, she is supervising all of them. The newcomers love to play here because toys are different than what they have at home, and when kids get antsy, nannies take them out for a walk next to the lake or to an outdoor playground. Between those, kids are content most of the time.

"I knew you will be here…" Jeff said when he sat on the beanbag next to Felix.

"This is where I relax from all the craziness outside." Felix said while watching Lia take a toy train from Attila so that she can give it to Adam. Attila was close to bursting into tears. "Lia, it's not OK just to take toys away! You need to ask if he wants to share."

"But daddy… He took it from Adam first!" Lia protested.

"I saw that. As the oldest one, you should teach him how to behave in a big group. Usually, it's just him and Milica and he does not need to share his toys. Adam had it first, but this is Attila's playroom, and you are guests. Don't be invaders." Felix said to Lia calmly and then focused his attention on Jeff. "You were looking for me?"

"Yeah. My mom called again." Whenever Jeff has a conflict with Elanor, he talks to Felix. Felix has extensive experience dealing with his difficult mother (aka Sylvie) and usually has good advice for Jeff.

"Do they still want to come here?" Felix guessed.

"Yes. I told her not to, but she is persistent. It seems that Edward called them, and I don't know how much I can take this. I don't want them here." Jeff sulked. Another thing is that this is the Ceresc Solutions. It belongs to Sarah and Aiden, and neither of them is here. How can Jeff invite his parents to someone else's place when the owners are absent?

Felix thought of something… "If your mother spoke with Edward, why is she not going there?"

Jeff paused. "Good point."

Jeff took his phone and sent a text to Elanor. "There… now if she wants to go somewhere, she can deal with Edward and Stella…"

Felix smiled. "You are welcome."

…

~ Eastern Europe, the base of the Lebedev Family ~

JoAnna entered Sarah's bedroom with an intention to call her for lunch. Other than one small bread this morning, no one saw Sarah eat today.

JoAnna paused when she saw Sarah sitting on the floor with her legs under the coffee table. Her head is next to the keyboard of the laptop and she is sleeping. JoAnna decided not to disturb her. Sarah is not getting much sleep and she can eat later.

JoAnna slowly inched out of the room and contemplated if she should close the door or not, fearing that the click sound might wake up Sarah. JoAnna's heart cracked when she heard Sarah whimpering and calling Aiden's name in her sleep. 

"Where is Sarah?" Stella asked when JoAnna entered the dining room.

"Sarah collapsed on top of her laptop. She can eat later, she needs rest."

Sophia exhaled sadly. "At this rate, Sarah will be hospitalized before we find Aiden."

JoAnna shrugged helplessly. "I don't know what to do. I would secretly mix sleeping pills into her food if I knew that she is eating. We can knock her out and suffer the consequences when she wakes up."

Stella shared her thoughts. "I understand what she is going through. Aiden is very important to her, but she needs to understand that others need her as well. If she does not take care of herself, she can't do much for Aiden and a lot of people are saddened to see her ruining her health like this."

Sophia agreed. "It will be better when the kids arrive tomorrow. Sarah will see that others are here to help and share her burden."

Owen was not so confident. "Sarah has Lebedev family's blood running through her veins. That might be something she is trying to ignore, just as most of the people in this room but… It is known that Lebedevs are like swans, they have only one partner in their life. If the partner dies, the other one will stay single for life, or die of sorrow."

"Aiden is not dead." Edward reminded Owen.

Owen exhaled a long breath. "I hope so."

Sophia observed Owen keenly. "Do you know something we don't?"

Owen lifted his hands defensively. "You are confident that the Lebedev family is behind the attacks and kidnapping. I want to remind you that there are many other forces out there. Things like Eastern European accent and access to memory altering medicine do not point only to us."

JoAnna got the hint behind Owen's words. "Are you saying that you sold that medicine to someone?"

Owen tilted his head. "It is not uncommon for a trade to happen. However, currently, only the Grand Elder has access to that information."

Sophia picked up on something… "Currently? There was someone else?"

"Elder Nikolai was the Elder in charge of relationships with other forces." Stella responded.

Everyone fell into silence. This… might change things.

…

5 PM

Sarah and Konstantin are standing in the large underground room, in the octagon-shaped arena, facing each other while surrounded by more than two hundred people.

Stella, Owen, Edward, Sophia, JoAnna, and Kitty are in the audience. Of course, Vasily, Ivan, and all other Elders and their helpers were present as well.

Vuk is explaining the rules and the consequences: "Elder Sarah challenged Grand Elder Konstantin's position in the Lebedev family. Sarah White is the direct descendent of the Lebedev family and is confirmed that she has the necessary skills. If she succeeds in winning over Grand Elder Konstantin, she will get his current position and resources, as well as responsibilities. If Grand Elder Konstantin wins, he will keep his current position, no one can challenge him for the next year and Elder Sarah will need to step down from her position, with no right to challenge another elder for the next six months. The match ends when one gives up or is unable to continue fighting. The victor has the right to determine if the loser will live or die without consequences. May the better warrior win! For the glory of Lebedevs!"

"MAY THE BETTER WARRIOR WIN! FOR THE GLORY OF LEBEDEVS!" Everyone from the audience shouted.

Konstantin raised his hand, demanding silence.

"I suggest a slight change to the rules."

"Change can happen if both sides agree." Vuk explained.

"In case I win, I want Elder Sarah to keep her current position." Konstantin said.

Vuk looked at Sarah. "Elder Sarah, do you agree?"

Sarah was surprised by this request, but it didn't take her more than a second to come with a response. "I have a condition… If I win, I want Grand Elder Konstantin to stay as my advisor for at least one year. He can keep his men."

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