Chapter 18 A necessary evil

"Sarah I see you arrived safely." Alexia said recognizing the penthouse.

"Indeed I arrived a half hour ago and you caught me unpacking, what's so important that it can't wait till you arrive?" Sarah asked curiously.

"First I think some introductions are in order, Michael Vandal meet Sarah Michaels." Alexia introduced

Sarah turned her attention to the only man on the plane and studied him.

"So this is the famous Michael Vandal, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"The pleasure is mine Miss Michaels thought it seems you have me at a bit of a disadvantage." Michael replied to which Sarah just smiled.

"So what's so important it can't wait till you arrive?" Sarah asked once again

"The Lake Foundation." Gracie said simply which immediately got Sarah's complete attention.

"What about it?" Sarah replied.

"We know how to announce it." Gracie replied teasingly

"Really? Then please stop beating around the bush and explain it."

After which the three woman told Sarah what they had talked about and the idea Michael came up with to help with the first dance.

"I see if you use this opportunity to announce 'The Lake Foundation' it will get even more press coverage not just in the business circles but also in the entertainment and even general news." Sarah said while thinking.

"Well Michael it seems I must also offer my thanks, your suggestion has helped not only Alexia with her dance problem but also all four of us with 'The Lake Foundation'." Sarah said turning back to Michael and thanking him with a smile.

"Your most welcome Miss Michael's tho could you inform me what this foundation is?" Michael asked back.

"He he it seems my friends forgot to explain it to you in their rush to inform me." Sarah said giggling as she looked at her friend's embarrassing looks.

"'The Lake Foundation' is a charitable foundation we are just about to launch.

We have all done charitable work and made donations in the past to good causes but from our investigation a large portion of the money we donate has never made it to its intended good cause."

"After careful thought and discussion the four of us decided to create our own charity under the banner of 'The Emerald Lake' to which we each own one quarter." Sarah explained to Michael.

"I see thank you for the explanation and I am happy to have been able to help you all in more than one way." Michael answered.

"Hmm we should think of a way to thank you and show our appreciation for your help." Sarah said while thinking.

"There is no need" Michael replied quickly getting the attention of all four women.

"Miss Demonte is already allowing me to stay in her penthouse and attended her concert and after party all for free, not to mention the travel expenses I don't need to pay because you let me travel on your plane."

"Really? It's standard procedure to pay someone for a consultation fee." Sarah replied as she watched Michael closely with a piercing gaze.

"I have already said it's fine, I helped you because I was able to and because I don't think the one drink I gave Miss Demonte before is enough to repay all that I mentioned before."

"Hmm" Sarah replied as she stared as Michael, for some reason he got the impression he was being tested.

"Tell me Michael Vandal, what does money mean to you?" Sarah suddenly asked and for some reason it shocked her three friends.

"Sarah why?" Alexia asked

"It's fine let him answer it's just a simple question after all." Sarah replied.

However Michael got the impression that this was no simple question as after there shock the three ladies sitting next to him gave him the same piercing look that Sarah had been giving him since he refused any payment for services rendered.

"Money is a necessary evil" Michael replied almost straight away after Sarah finished speaking.

"Oh would you please elaborate?" Sarah asked and while Michael was thinking about how best to elaborate he did not notice the small smile that Sarah showed for a fraction of a second and she was not the only one.

"Civilized and I use that work grudgingly society runs on money, we live by it.

Unfortunately while the rich get richer the poor only get poorer.

What's that saying?? Oh yes 'power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely'.

As the more wealth you have the more power you have can't you also say 'wealth corrupts and absolute wealth corrupts absolutely."

After finishing Michael drank some of his drink while watching the women carefully, he knew full well that he had basically just insulted all four of them since they were all very rich.

However contrary to what he expected the four women did not seem to be angry, their eyes glistened with something but he could not say what.