Chapter 618 - Stupid

At 7:30 in the evening, Sophia and Felix were logged into the video conference, waiting for others. About one minute later, JoAnna and Jeff joined.

"Hi big sis… Hi Felix…", JoAnna greeted sheepishly while Jeff gave a small nod.

"Will you explain how you got yourself kidnaped?" Sophia asked angrily.

JoAnna knew that this is coming. But still, she was not able to prepare herself… she thought it's a good idea to delay. "Can we wait for Sarah and Aiden to join before we dig into that? They played a part in that incident as well…"

Sophia scrutinized JoAnna for few seconds before agreeing. "Fine. Are you guys ready for tomorrow?"

"Yes, yes…" JoAnna happily responded. She was happy that Sophia changed the topic.

Aiden joined.

"Hi everyone…", Aiden non-enthusiastically waved at the camera.

"Where is Sarah?" JoAnna nervously asked. She was counting on Sarah's support when telling Sophia about kidnapping. Sarah's absence is not a good thing for JoAnna.

"She is sleeping… I think it's better to let her rest." Aiden responded.

"Oh? How come she is sleeping? Did something happen?", JoAnna was curious because it's early to sleep. And how Aiden said that it's better to let her sleep, it sounded like there is a deeper meaning behind those words… and she really wanted Sarah to join and help her out in telling Sophia about the kidnaping!

Aiden was not sure how to respond without incriminating himself, so he hesitated.

Sophia caught onto it and responded instead of him. "She is probably exhausted from all crying."

"Crying? Why was she crying?" JoAnna asked and that also got Jeff's attention.

"Because Aiden said they should split up." Sophia didn't hesitate to expose Aiden.

"What?!!", JoAnna and Jeff exclaimed in unison.

Aiden pinched roof of his nose and closed his eyes. He really didn't want to talk about it. He was blaming himself for hurting Sarah and he knows that no one from four people on the call is willing to give him any words of comfort. Not even his brother. All the scolding looks and harsh words that are coming his way, he deserves it.

"Did you… break up with Sarah?", JoAnna asked reluctantly.

"No. But I hurt her.", Aiden admitted.

"Why?", this question came from Jeff who looked at his brother in disbelief. Jeff remembers watching Aiden and Sarah dance previous evening. They were in love. He could see how much his brother loves Sarah. How is it possible that in less than a day he ended up asking for them to split up? What happened?

Aiden really didn't want to talk about it. Why are these four butting into relationship between Sarah and him? He felt as if they are invading into his heart, and it was uncomfortable. No one other than Sarah gets access to his heart. He decided to talk about files and what they found.

"Earlier today, we analyzed data we found from Enrique's devices…", Aiden started.

"Who is Enrique?" Sophia interrupted.

"He is the guy who kidnapped me.", JoAnna responded.

Sophia shook her head indicating that she has difficulty following what is going on. "How about you start the story from the beginning?"

JoAnna spoke how she went to check out the villa with Bridgette and how they were attacked.

Jeff talked about his part how he got JoAnna's photo and he called Sarah and Aiden. They identified who captured JoAnna and where he is keeping her. He also spoke how they got her out.

Now it was Aiden's turn: "We took three phones from Enrique and analyzed data… and we found that phone and email used to contact his mystery Boss is the same one that Blanca used…"

"Who is Blanca?", Sophia interrupted again.

Jeff and JoAnna took turns telling Sophia and Felix about owner of the real-estate agency and how she communicated with Enrique to let him know when they visit the villa… and about the party and how Blanca admitted to her wrongdoings.

"And you left her like that?" Sophia was surprised.

"No way…", JoAnna gloated. "We got a reporter to record her confession. Newspapers this morning were a blast. It is quite a big news. I'm sure her business is ruined."

Sophia nodded in understanding. "Then what?"

"Aiden?", Jeff urged him.

"As I said… we looked at the data we collected and confirmed that Enrique and Blanca worked for the same Boss. That Boss is the one who organized Anna's kidnapping. Enrique and Blanca acted on his orders. We found in Enrique's email a list of six names, and Jeff's name is on that list. Enrique picked Jeff as his target. We found that besides all six people having prominent positions in business, there is one more common thing between each of them…" Aiden forwarded three lists to the participants of the video call. "Out of these three files, 'Relatives-3' is the list we found on Enrique's email. Second list is the list which all people from first list have in common. And third one is explaining what the connection is."

"What is this second list?" Felix asked.

"Do you remember our story about two opposing Eastern European families? Hill sisters belong to one of them. And I trained under Master Elder of second one." Aiden observed that all four people on the call either nodded or widened eyes… in any case, they acknowledged that they remember. "This is the list of kids who attended the camp at the time when Master Elder trained me."

Everyone sat in silence for few very long minutes, trying to understand what they heard. Aiden was impatient and explained what Sarah and he concluded.

"You determined that Anna's kidnaping is not because of me, but because of you?" Jeff asked.

Aiden confirmed and added that based on this, the Boss is one of disciples who trained under Master Elder. He reminded them about Stella's story where she said how those disciples are not happy that Master Elder trained an outsider.

"All this points to the scenario where at least one of those disciples is not willing to sit and wait anymore. He (or she) decided to provoke us and to see who will use which move." Aiden ended his explanation.

"Is that the reason why you asked Sarah to leave you?", JoAnna asked.

"I thought that if she is not with me, she will not be caught in all of this.", Aiden explained.

"Stupid.", JoAnna scolded Aiden.

Aiden didn't deny it. Whatever scolding comes his way, he deserved it. He lowered his head.

"Do you know why I called you stupid?" JoAnna saw Aiden look up to the screen and continued. "Because you are taking all this like you need to face it yourself. Don't you see all of us here? Did you forget that we are a team of six? We are all here with you, we are here for each other. Together we can take care of all those disciples, and Kings, and whoever else comes. How can you forget that?... I'm so mad at you right now that I don't want to talk anymore. If there is nothing else urgent, I wish you good night... and see you all tomorrow…" JoAnna waited few seconds and since no one responded she spoke again. "Aiden, you better make up with Sarah or I will not forgive you." She disconnected from the call.

"Aiden…", Sophia called. "If you need us, we are one phone call away. Good night. See you tomorrow." Sophia and Felix disconnected as well without waiting for Aiden's response.

Aiden stared for a long time at the screen which showed only one video chat window with him inside.