The party progressed in a good mood.


    Teams of two were formed for badminton and they drew lots to see matching of who is ying against whom. Winner progresses to the next round, just like in official matches.


    Among the teams, Anita and Ashley were one.


    Since Ellie''s and Jasper''s wedding, Anita and Russel are dating and because Russel and Vincent are close, Anita and Ashley started bonding also and so far it''s going well.


    The pregnantdies (well, JoAnna mostly)ined because she can''t y badminton or volleyball due to too much running and jumping, but she was happy that she can be a judge.


    Bridgette and Sophiamented how JoAnna''s sassy personality went up by few notches since she is pregnant, and other than her two sisters, no one dares saying anything about it because JoAnna has a man like Jeff backing her and in Jeff''s eyes: what JoAnna says goes and she is never wrong.


    As badminton ended, volleyball matches started.


    Kids were excited about the volleyball and many bodyguards joined as well so there were a lot of powerful teams.


    When Aiden saw how much kids stirred around the volleyball court they set up for this asion, and many even went online to research rules and strategies, Aiden promised that they will keep the on, so they can y anytime. The kids rejoiced.


    They had tennis courts, but kids were not much into it mostly because only two can y at a time, or four if they y doubles. Considering how many kids are there and that everyone wants to have a go, it was a long line to wait for a match to end and kids lost interest. Volleyball is different, because each team has six members, and that means how twelve kids can y at a time.


    "Howe Sarah and Aiden are not ying?", Emma asked JoAnna and Sophia when she joined them. Everyone knows that Sarah and Aiden are super-active and always first in line when ites to games andpetition, and other than few quick games, the two of them are mostly sitting on a bench within a touching distance and talking in whispers.


    JoAnna knows why, so she shared: "Gran and gramps sent an old video which shows Aiden at age of seven kissing Sarah who was four at that time and dering that she is his woman… so now they are acting like they just fell in love."


    Emma widened her eyes in surprise. "Oh, my… that is so sweet…"


    "What is sweet?", Charlie asked when he took a seat next to Emma.


    "Aiden imed Sarah as his when she was four year old."


    Charlie gazed longingly at Emma for few seconds before responding: "I would do the same if I met you when you were four."


    Emma giggled and kissed his cheek. "Charlie, this is not apetition."


    "What is not apetition?", Jeff asked when he approached them and grinned while looking at Charlie. "I have four trophies."


    "Damnit!", Charlie cursed and stood up while ncing around to see what games are on so that he can join. He has only three trophies.


    Charlie went toward the ring toss and Jeff sat next to JoAnna with a smug expression.


    "Are you OK with this?", JoAnna asked Jeff while gesturing toward Charlie.


    Jeff raised an eyebrow suspiciously. "Why?"


    JoAnna gave him a knowing look. "When he wins this one, both of you will have four trophies. And then if he wins any other, he has more."


    Jeff paused for a second before responding: "You are right. I will be back in a bit."


    JoAnnaughed while watching Jeff walk in hastened steps after Charlie.


    Sophia and Emma shook their heads.


    JoAnna nced at Sophia. "You should worry about your husband. I heard him talk with Steve, they are going to spar…"


    Sophia exhaled helplessly. "There is nothing I can do. Boys will be boys."


    Emma nced around nervously. "Oh, no. If Charlie hears, he will go as well. Last time he got such a nasty bruise on his left arm. It took more than a week to heal."


    JoAnna twirled her ss of iced mint tea while telling Emma: "Get ready for what ising, because when they are done ying with rackets and balls, most of the people here will go topare skills in the rink."


    …


    At the table in the corner, Ste, Edward, Oscar, nor and Jarred are sitting and observing the youngsters.


    "So, we agree to work together?", Oscar asked while ncing at people at the table before his sight settled on Jarred.


    Jarred nodded and gestured toward Charlie and Jeff who were currently immersed in the ring toss game. "Our kids are already coborating. I see no harm in us exchanging some information and services." Jarred leaned back into his chair and added: "And I see that you are already working together."


    "We want to keep our kids safe by creating a safety in this area.", Ste responded. "We have a good coverage everywhere except from the West."


    Everyone understood that Ste is talking about the ports which are on the West. Long family has influence in that area and if they get Longs to be on friendly terms enough so that they keep an eye on any threating from there, that would be for the best.


    Hills and Whites never had conflicts with Longs, but Long family is a proud andpetitive one where strict tradition is followed. On top of that, Richard Long (the current patriarch) believes that they are showing strength by holding onto their territory and assets without allying themselves with others. Also, Richard Long does not believe that Hills or Whites have anything to offer that can benefit them. However, Jarred might have something of interest.


    "Since Steve told them that he wants to stay with Jeff, Longs are wary of us.", nor said.


    Jarred knows that this is his part: "I will talk to Longs and see what I can do."


    "We don''t expect you to do this out of your good will.", Edward told Jarred. "We are aware of your family situation and we will help you remove some of the threats Charlie is facing."


    Jarred had a troubled expression. He is grateful that they want to help Charlie, but at the same time he is ashamed that others know about his family''s dirtyundry. Also, he is not confident that he will make a deal with Longs. "As much as I would like to ensure you that I will seed, Richard Long is not known to listen to anyone."


    "Do what you can.", nor told Jarred. "We hope that we cane to an agreement because Steve is close to our kids. However, if they are not willing…" nor paused while malicious grin appeared on her face. "We can take care of it in a different way."


    Jarred furrowed his brows. "You n to go to a war with Longs?"


    nor stifled augh and shook her head slightly. "A war? With us working together it will be a total annihtion. However, how much they suffer will depend on how much resistance they put."


    Jarred looked at Oscar, nor and Edward and saw that all of them are silently supporting what nor said.


    "This is for our kids.", Ste said. "Steve is loyal… so far. But soon he will be married and have his family."


    "You think that Richard will use that to force Steve into obedience?", Jarred guessed.


    "You know Richard better than all of us.", Oscar responded.


    "Also, we have evidence that Longs are coborating with a non-friendly organization from Eastern Europe.", Edward added. "Longs are either going to work with us, or they are out."


    Jarred can see that those four already talked about this. "What do you n to do if Richard refuses to listen?"


    "There are few options. If Richard does not agree to work with us, he can''t stay in power but that does not mean that we need to destroy them.", nor exined while gesturing toward Steve. "We have a Long right there. He can take over, if he is interested. As you know, they are sticking to the tradition blindly, and we have the information that most of the people in the higher tier of the Long family business will follow the patriarch if he is a Long."


    Jarred sighed in resignation. "OK. Tell me… what do you expect me to aplish by talking to Richard…"


    ---


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