~Los Angeles~
Sarah and Bridgette met for a coffee during an afternoon break at White corp.
"Tell me, is it true that CEO and your sister are engaged?" Bridgette asked reluctantly.
"Yup."
"Really?!" Bridgette's eyes were wide, like they are about to pop out. "I read about it online, and I was not sure if I should believe it or not... so I decided to come to the source."
"Source?" Sarah laughed. "While we are on topic of relationships, how are you and Steve doing?"
"Oh..." Bridgette blushed. "We went to Disneyland this weekend. And between two rollercoaster rides... we became a couple."
"Oh, wow! Nice!" Sarah exclaimed and was surprised that Bridgette looks bashful. "If you are a couple now, how come you are having this coffee with me?" Sarah teased her.
Bridgette pouted. "Well, your brother in law didn't come to work, so my boyfriend is burning up from the workload, and has no time for breaks."
Sarah waved her hands defensively. "Don't make it sound like it's my fault. I have nothing to do with any of it!"
"So, do you look forward to add Mr. White in your family?" Bridgette quickly switched to cheerful mood.
"They just got engaged, I don't think that will happen soon... but whatever she decides, as long as he treats her well, I will support it."
"You are good sister. I wish that my brother is that supportive." Bridgette sighed.
Sarah thought for a moment. "Oh… I remember you mentioned you have a brother."
"Yeah, I do... He is something like father-brother." Seeing Sarah's confused expression, Bridgette continued. "There is a big age gap between us, and since I grew up without a father, he took on a father's role. I know he loves me, but he is overbearing, and wants to control everything... let me not kill the mood. We were talking about weddings! When you marry, you will be Mrs. White also."
Sarah paled. "We are not there yet. Not even close."
Bridgette laughed. "You will be, eventually... You have another older sister. Is she close to marriage?"
Sarah thought about Sophia. "She is in a stable relationship. They are getting along well... I guess I should not be surprised if she calls and tells me that she will be Mrs. Martin."
"Martin? Same as my last name!"
"Oh, what a coincidence!" Sarah thought for a moment. "The only way this can get more exciting is if you tell me that your brother's name is Felix." Sarah's eyes widened in surprise when she saw Bridgette's shocked expression.
"Are they in Seattle?" Bridgette asked weakly.
"Yes... wait, are you telling me that my oldest sister is dating your brother?!! The overbearing one?!! Or you have another brother?"
"Not possible... Just in case, let me show you his photo to confirm." Bridgette got her phone out and searched through saved pictures.
"I can do the same!" Sarah got her phone and looked through photos that Sophia sent.
They showed to each other photos and confirmed that it's the same Felix.
"Wow! It is a small world." Sarah was very happy that she has an additional connection with Bridgette. At the same time Sarah was concerned about the overbearing description that Bridgette gave her. Felix looks to be a sweet man, totally smitten by Sophia.
But Bridgette didn't want to talk about her brother anymore. Probably embarrassed that she talked badly about him as an introduction.
They chatted some more and were ready to head back to work.
"You said that Steve is busy... you could get him a coffee." Sarah suggested.
Bridgette lit up. "Good idea! I will get him a coffee and use that as an excuse to see him." She grinned and headed to the barista.
...
After work, Sarah went to see JoAnna in Jeff's penthouse, to get the anesthesia for Vivian.
"You have enough here for five 20ml dosages. Based on her weight, each will last for about four hours. Inject her in the neck area and she will not be able to move from neck down. She will feel the pain and be fully conscious." JoAnna handed a bottle and number of sealed syringes to Sarah. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
Sarah sighed thinking how JoAnna is kindhearted. "Anna, every time I feel my heart softening, I remember that she lied to me from the beginning. She pretended to care, to support me. When I think of our time at University and how much I trusted her... it hurts. And then I think of what would happen to me if that evening I didn't manage to escape, if Aiden didn't find me in time. And my heart hardens again... Do you understand?" Sarah's look was stern. "Forgiving enemies is a weakness. They will rise and strike again when you don't expect. The moment Vivian betrayed me, she became my enemy."
JoAnna nodded in understanding. "You are leaving tomorrow?"
"Yes. We thought of postponing, but since Greg is out of the picture, I think that we can leave... right, Boss?" Sarah looked at Jeff who was working on his laptop few feet away. "Or should I call you brother-in-law?"
"Brother-in-law is fine." Jeff smiled as he stood up and walked to JoAnna and placed his hand around her shoulders. "I will keep her safe."
JoAnna pouted while her look darted from Sarah to Jeff and then back to Sarah. "I'm not a small child. I don't need protection."
Sarah laughed. "Sorry sis, but your record proves that you do need protection." She turned to Jeff. "All right, brother-in-law, I entrust my sister to your care. We are leaving Los Angeles tomorrow after lunch, and we plan to have a busy weekend." She raised her hand with the anesthetic, shaking the bottle slightly. "You keep us posted how things on your end are going, even if you don't need our help."
Jeff nodded in agreement. "We will make our move on Monday."
"Friday evening, we will go through what needs to be done again." Sarah was pleased that Jeff is with them in the plan to destroy companies owned by Ed's and Philip's families.
"Why do I feel like I'm not necessary?" JoAnna protested seeing that Sarah and Jeff are talking about their plans, and she has no role to play.
"Not necessary?" Sarah looked shocked. "Anna, you are our healer! Just like in any multiplayer game, there are tanks, damage dealers, and healers. Healers don't do damage to the enemy and can't take any damage either, so they need to be protected. However, healers provide buffs and healing to the rest of the party. Without healers, whole team will quickly suffer a horrible death. You are crucial for our success. Do you understand?" Sarah observed JoAnna's confused expression and found it funny. Sarah looked at the bottle with anesthetic. "And with an additional job in Alchemy. You are priceless!"
JoAnna shook her head with her mouth slightly open showing that she is not understanding what Sarah said.
Sarah sighed. "You should play more games... I wanted to say that you treat us when we get hurt."
...
During dinner, Jeff asked JoAnna. "At what time tomorrow are you going to LA Medical center?"
"My interview is at eleven. If I leave half an hour earlier it will give me time for any traffic jam, and to reach in time."
"Do you want me to accompany you?"
JoAnna shook her head. "No need... with four bodyguards, I will be fine. I will text you after my interview, to tell you how it went."
"I know it will go well." He was confident.
JoAnna froze. "I hope you didn't do anything..."
Jeff only raised his eyebrows showing expression that he does not know what she is talking about.
"I hope you didn't make any calls or pull any strings. I want to do this by myself." Her gaze was firm.
Jeff smiled and pacified her. "It will all be because of your efforts."