Chapter 1172 - Friends And Traitors (1)

~ Los Angeles, White corp. HQ ~

One week passed since Marcus started his attacks with a goal to take over the position Jeff currently holds.

Since his initial failures with damaging and stealing White corp. property, Marcus didn't send more people out of fear that he will lose the remaining resources he has to do his dirty work. There were few sabotage attempts out of which two succeeded, but nothing major like what he did on the first day. Damage done was almost negligible and it was remedied within few hours.

Marcus decided to focus on other areas, but he is not finding much success.

Sarah and Aiden are ensuring that his online attacks are useless.

Marcus launched number of online campaigns in an effort to show Jeff and White corp. in a negative light, but within seconds from publishing such information, the sites either disappeared or the information was altered to show latest donations and achievements done by the White corp. and the White foundation. The strange thing was that all sites became read-only, denying write access to anyone, and unless they were removed from servers, there was nothing they could do about it.

Several magazines dared to print negative information on Jeff, but before the copies left the gate of the publishing companies, the police surrounded the trucks and they were given court orders to stop, as well as lawsuits for slander. Not a single page reached the magazine stands. To make this happen, a real team-work was needed. Sarah and Aiden pinpointed who is publishing the damaging information, where and when, Sophia ensured that the lawsuits are filed, and Jeff pulled the strings with his contacts in police and justice department to ensure everything is done without delays.

Marcus and his people filed a number of lawsuits against White corp. and people who are loyal to Jeff. Sophia is in charge of making sure that those lawsuits don't see a day in court by proving that they are not valid. It's an exhausting process because she needs to gather evidence in advance. To get this done in time, the whole legal department of White corp. and Orion Enterprise are at her disposal. Luckily, they found information on more than half of the lawsuits in advance from the information that Penny and Tiffany provided, so they got a head start.

Jeff is busy communicating with stakeholders of White corp. and other people of influence in the White foundation, ensuring them that he got it under control. He is also watching the fluctuations in the stock market. Luckily, Marcus failed to damage reputation of White corp. (so far), and that is why the value of stocks didn't change much. 

Marcus is so far not successful in rattling Jeff, but he definitely got them all busy.

Even Steve got to act as more than Jeff's right-hand-man when he reached out to get an assistance from the Long family to handle an issue in the port with one shipment for White corp. They found out that Marcus planted illegal weapons in several shipping crates, but they were too late to prevent it. Gabriel used his influence to delay 'random' inspection of the shipment while Charlie's people removed the weapons and disposed of them.

Marcus was livid. How come nothing is working? He was not sure if Jeff has an invisible shield which bounces off all attacks, or is there a shield around Marcus, preventing him from launching any.

The fact which puzzles Marcus the most is that all his attacks failed silently: no witnesses, no traces, no one returned. Like they never happened and his men disappeared.

Thanks to Eve, Jeff and Aiden listened (and watched) their Uncle rage at anyone who came near him, and even though the noise was unpleasant, it was a music to their ears.

"At this rate, Jasmine will not last long.", Felix frowned and refused to listen further.

Sophia agreed with Felix. "Why is she still by Marcus' side? He is not keeping her imprisoned, is he?"

"We didn't see her try to escape, but Marcus' security has an order not to allow Jasmine to leave.", Sarah responded.

"That is sick…", JoAnna frowned. She could not watch anymore either.

Jeff told JoAnna not to worry and to rest. But how can she rest, knowing that her husband is under attack? She is staying by Jeff's side and doing her best to help out whenever she can. Once these games of cats and mice are done, her expertise will be put to good use, when they interrogate and punish traitors.

Jeff looked at the people in the room: JoAnna, Aiden, Sarah, Felix, Steve, Sophia, Bridgette, Pam. They are all busy with their tasks and they all look exhausted.

He exhaled with a small smile on his face, grateful to have their support. Besides people in this room, Jasper and Charlie helped as well.

Oscar reached out more than once, offering his support but at the same time he praised Jeff for effectively deflecting all attacks (so far). Jeff thanked his father and told him that he got it under control. Jeff also reminded Oscar that if he interferes, that will go according to Marcus' plans who wants to prove how Jeff is not capable and turns to his daddy when times are tough.

There was a 'ping' sound from Jeff's desk and his secretary sounded through the speaker: "CEO White, CEO Kiani from K Industries is here to see you."

Jeff was surprised. He is not expecting Jasper.

Jeff pushed a button on a device from his desk: "Let him in."

Few seconds later, Jasper and Ellie entered and greeted everyone. They were in the middle of greetings, when another ping sounded, and Jeff's secretary spoke again: "CEO White, Mr. Smith from Smithsonite corp. is here to see you."

Jeff understood that this must be Charlie, because Jarred has no business coming here. At this point, he suspected that this might be some intervention. "Let him in."

Charlie and Emma walked in.

"Oh, you are here as well?", Emma was 'surprised' to see Ellie.

Jeff snorted and looked at Jasper and Charlie. "No accidents here."

"Don't spoil the mood of my fiancée!", Charlie warned Jeff and then added jokingly: "She practiced this on the way here."

They all laughed.

"It seems we are busted.", Ellie pouted. "And I didn't even get to say my part."

"Why are you here?", Jeff asked, but he had a good idea that they came to help.

"We are here to take ladies for lunch.", Emma responded while hooking her arm around Ellie's waist.

Jeff was happy to hear this. JoAnna could use some girl-time as a break from all this mess they found themselves in.

Sophia sighed. "I can't. But I will be happy if you bring me something on your way back."

"I will stay with you.", Pam assured Sophia.

Ellie tried persuading Sophia to join, but Sophia explained that they are dealing with sensitive matters that need to be handled promptly.

"Don't think I'm avoiding you. When this is over, I will treat you all lunch. OK?", Sophia promised. 

"When are we going?", Sarah asked without lifting her gaze from the laptop in front of her.

"One person is missing.", Emma responded. "She is on her way here."

Few seconds later, Jeff's secretary announced Miss Sanders. Girls were happy to hear that Penny is joining as well.

Now that everyone gathered, JoAnna, Sarah, Ellie, Emma, Bridgette and Penny headed for lunch in good spirits.

Guys could hear their chatter mixed with laughter until the elevator door closed with their women inside.

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