Is this destiny?

"Grand Master Simeon!", Haru called, making Simeon look his way. "As promised, I will tell you who taught us the techniques of the Voronin family." Haru paused and glanced at Hong. "Master Gedeon Voronin taught us. He took us in when we were kids and treated us as we are his own."

At Haru's words, Souta, Bo, and Wing stood up, and all four of them bowed in respect toward Hong who smiled and responded with a nod.

Simeon pressed his lips into a line and stood up to make his way toward the fighting cage. He has no other option.

On his way to the fighting cage, Simeon weighed his options. If he loses, he can say goodbye to the position of the Grand Master. And if he wins… can he still be the Grand Master? Even if he keeps the position, who will obey him? Who will respect him? Everyone already knows that the real heir is alive and right there.

Simeon understood that he lost already. He couldn't wrap his head around the fact that an hour ago he saw Lebedevs coming into his base and he had a plan to see what they want before he captures and kills them. Where did things take a wrong turn?

It dawned on him: it is all Sarah's fault!

Simeon's eyes moved to Sarah and he saw her smiling and nodding in the direction where he was sitting. He assumed that it was directed at Aiden, but when he glanced that way, he saw that Aiden was looking at him, and the one who returned Sarah's gaze was Maksim!

Suddenly, all the pieces came into place. Sarah came here and introduced one challenger. How sneaky of her! If Simeon knew that there were five of them, he would never allow it. But she tricked him with one, making him think that one can be handled easily, only to introduce four more which he couldn't refuse because he already accepted one. And all that was a preparation for this, for him to go into that fighting cage with Gedeon.

Simeon gritted his teeth. How come he didn't see it sooner? Since Maksim arrived at this base, he had his eyes on Sarah. The only thing that makes sense is that Maksim knew Sarah from before, and Maksim even allowed Sarah to escape. Did they plan all this in advance? Is Maksim behind this because he wants to take over as the Grand Master? How else could Hong get his hands on Maksim's DNA sample?

"You ungrateful spawn!", Simeon shouted at Maksim, unable to hold his rage.

Maksim's eyebrows shoot up. "What did I do?"

"I saw you flirting with that wretched woman! You sold us to the Lebedevs!"

Both Aiden and Maksim stood up at the same time.

"That wretched woman, how you called her, is my wife!", Aiden said angrily. "Show respect or I will beat it in you."

"How can you accuse me of flirting with a woman when her husband is right here?", Maksim asked innocently while pointing at Aiden. 

"I know what I saw!", Simeon raged.

"Simeon, are you trying to avoid the fight?", Hong drawled. "You were always a hothead. I see you didn't change. At your age, that is bad for the heart. No wonder you have memory issues!"

"Stop calling me senile!", Simeon snapped at Hong. He had enough of everyone saying that he has a bad memory! There is nothing wrong with his memory!

Hong shook his head. "A leader needs to be calm in order to make good decisions. Barking like that is not how the Grand Master should behave." Hong stepped into the fighting cage. "Come, Simeon. Allow me to show you the difference between the real Grand Master and a fake one."

Simeon swallowed hard but he hid his insecurities with arrogance.

"Ladies and gentlemen!", the announcer shouted into the microphone. "We are about to witness a fight between Gedeon Voronin as a challenger and Grand Master Simeon Voronin!"

The door of the cage closed behind Simeon with a bang and everyone fell into silence.

"How does it feel to return home?", Simeon asked Hong.

"It brings up memories. Mostly unpleasant ones."

Simeon sneered. "You are welcome to leave."

"Not before I take back what belongs to me."

"Are you not afraid that Tashi might suffer due to your little stunt?"

"Do you think that I would be here if she is still in your hands?"

Hong's question made Simeon's expression tighten.

"That's right.", Hong said tauntingly. "Your men are gone; she is out of your reach and I came to collect what you owe me."

"What I owe you? Are you talking about your wife and child? My wife is dead, and do you think that you can take my son away?"

"You are not paying attention, Simeon. You lost your son already. There is no point in taking what you don't have. I came to collect the only thing you care about, the position which is mine, to begin with. You are an impostor."

Simeon's eyes flashed in rage and he rushed toward Hong with his fists in front.

Hong swiftly moved and avoided the punches with ease. "Tsk! Your form is horrible. When was the last time you fought?"

Hong's mocking words enraged Simeon and he growled while swinging his fists that hit nothing more than the air.

"Stop running and fight me like a man!", Simeon shouted.

Hong grabbed Simeon's fist with his left hand while Hong's right hand-delivered several swift hits to Simeon's torso.

Simeon stepped back and clutched his chest.

"The real Grand Master does not lose his temper.", Hong said and moved toward Simeon.

Simeon felt a searing pain in his left thigh and calf and then he heard Hong speaking again: "The real Grand Master knows how to defend…"

Simeon's right knee bent at the unusual angle and his right arm went numb as Hong spoke: "The real Grand Master knows how to attack with the precision that does not require a lot of force."

Simeon fell on the ground and growled, unsure which part of his body to hold onto because everything was either aching or numb.

"The real Grand Master does not crawl in front of his enemies.", Hong said smugly before kicking Simeon in the face and breaking his nose.

Without paying any heed to Simeon, Hong turned toward the table with Elders. "He is unable to fight, I assume this means I won."

The senior who was the announcer nodded vigorously before shouting into the microphone: "We have a new Grand Master! All cheer for Master Gedeon Voronin!"

The crowd cheered and Hong smiled a little before looking up at the ceiling, or to be precise, he looked beyond the ceiling, hoping that Tamara was watching.

"Take him to the cell and tie him up.", Hong said to two men who came to carry Simeon out.

"Yes, Grand Master!", two men responded in unison.

Maksim went down and approached Hong. "Do you want to meet with Elders?"

"Later. Now I want to talk with Lebedevs.", Hong responded.

"You can use the office of the Grand Master. I believe you know where it is.", Maksim said to Hong and when Hong confirmed, Maksim took the microphone from the announcer. "With this, the event is over! Everyone scatter and proceed with your regular duties! After the meeting with Elders, you will be notified of any changes that are impacting you."

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