The sun rose high in the sky, the coldness reduced a bit but there was no warmth. The time was clocking up yet no one was easily getting what they needed.
Anya was failing to find even a single clue against Benton.
Harper Johnson was going berserk due to Anya Owen. He wanted to kill her, before that he wanted to save his skin.
….
Alvin was annoyed when Zane didn't reach out to him for help. Although he was ready to do anything for the two, he also expected them to look for him, ask him if anything was needed, and depend on him.
But he was practically not required for both mother and son who try to solve everything by themselves even if they have to put extra effort and struggle.
At the same time, Alvin didn't understand what was going on with him. He wanted to be part of their life within such a short time when the two had lived for so long by themselves without depending on others.
….
At the Matthews companies,
For the first time in his career, Casper was edgy and experiencing a wave of emotions, losing all the calmness.
He always ignored his family and cared about his business. But this time, the opposition was his son. His son who he had ignored like a piece of waste, grew up to challenge him. Even if he wanted to, he couldn't hold his cool.
Before Casper could fall completely in his own eyes, Secretary Harrison appeared to save his pride.
Harrison rushed inside the office room after a knock. "Chairman Matthews, Dalton companies…" He placed his iPad on the desk, right in front of Casper, and continued, "They lost the two major business partnerships and projects overnight. The news of it is leaked and their share price is facing a sharp decline."
The attack was made. The anxious Casper Matthews morphed into a confident, businessman.
He barely read anything released about the broken business deals. He directly checked the market status.
Secretary Harrison looked at his mobile screen when it started vibrating. He just muted it and looked back at Casper.
"Chairman Matthews, President Dalton's secretary, is asking about your whereabouts." As soon as Dalton gets to know Casper is at the company, he is sure President Dalton will rush up to the company to meet Casper.
Casper analyzed the whole situation. Alvin wasn't established in the home country - Narnia. Hence he didn't have much power in the country either. However, Alvin's foothold in different countries was too deep and strong, thus it was an easy guess that Alvin had a hand in this.
Why the Dalton family?
Did Flora Dalton do something stupid?
Casper's eyes glinted darkly. Words are worthless, actions are impactful and that exactly was Alvin's first move.
Alvin's first aim was to sever the business relationship with Matthews and Dalton, which will directly make a statement that there is no engagement between the two families.
That is, the Dalton family will certainly seek help from Matthews. If Casper dares to put more money into the Dalton business, he will be burned. It won't be a few hundreds but hundreds of millions of capital. So it will be a worse business decision.
If Casper refuses to help and minds his business, the media will roast him for stepping away from Dalton at a critical time. It will also indirectly bring up the engagement news.
Matthews will have to bear the insult either way. Either as a bad business decision that will affect the company or as a ruthless businessman which will affect the business deals.
Even if Casper helps Dalton and manages to survive, Alvin will strike again and destroy the Daltons to no return. For the good of the Dalton family, it was reasonable for them to step away because an apology or an announcement of the cancellation of engagement wasn't going to work for Alvin anymore.
Casper highly doubted Flora undoubtedly did something stupid for Alvin to take this route.
Casper's fist clenched into a ball. 'Anya Owen.' He couldn't believe Alvin could go to this extent to clear the engagement rumors and to pacify a woman.
He had no hope of Alvin marrying Flora Dalton and Flora was an utter disappointment and failed to get Alvin's attention. So Casper now had to make his decision.
As a businessman, he had to plan for the long term. So is it worth taking the risk and helping Dalton?
Because if Alvin marries Anya Owen, Dalton will marry off their daughter to another rich business family who will get the Dalton company. Hence Casper's main aim to get Dalton company will fail.
Nevertheless, Casper will get nothing from the marriage of Alvin and the poor small-town girl. So shouldn't he make use of the current situation and control the Dalton business on his terms?
It was a tough decision as it wasn't a good time to go against Alvin. He will need a plan to stop Alvin and get the upper hand in the business.
Then, how to stop Alvin?
Casper instructed his secretary, "Make an excuse." He won't meet Dalton until he can come up with a smooth plan.
Secretary Harrison responded and left the office. He was used to businessmen's cruel minds which looked for an advantage in everything, including relationships.
————
At Coastal city, police agency,
It was four in the evening when Anya stopped her work. She gave a lot of instructions to all the teams as she will be unavailable till Monday.
Captain David followed Anya hearing another heap of instructions. Yet the former heard her quietly attentively and made note of every aspect that he will have to take care of in her absence.
They were near the end of the discussion when they heard an excited voice, "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy…"
There were three quick knocks on the door before the door pushed open. Anya smiled looking at Zane who was packed top to toe and grinning ear to ear.
Happy to see him happier, "Oh, my baby." she spread her arms asking for a hug. Zane ran into her arms while Alvin stood at the door.
Captain David made sure there were no more instructions before leaving the room.
Anya looked at Alvin and flashed him a smile as greet while hugging her cuddle bug. Nevertheless, Alvin just had an unamused look.
"Momma, it was so fun. I wish you were there. Uncle Rob carried me and went up in the air wearing a water ski board…" Thus Zane started narrating all the activities on the way to the airport and had Anya's complete attention on him.
Before they could alight the car, he was fast asleep in Anya's arms as he was tired of playing.
Rob offered to carry the little guy to the private jet. Anya breathed in relief and looked at the silent man who hadn't said even a word so far.
She sincerely thanked Alvin as Rob cared to play and take care of Zane on Alvin's instructions, "Thank you so much for giving such an amazing experience to Zane." She had no idea Zane would love beach and water sports.
Alvin was in a terrible mood. Thus he didn't tease her for the thank you. He watched her smile and dimples at the corner of her lips. She didn't wait for the response, yet the dimples stayed. Somehow it eased him just a bit.
In the jet,
Zane was comfortable on a recliner. Anya who naturally sat next to her son, soon realized Alvin was unusually quiet.
This was the real Alvin everyone knows. However, he always spoke to her, teased her, and mocked her during this week. Hence she couldn't stop herself. She changed her seat and shifted next to him.
"Alvin, is everything alright?" She was genuinely concerned.
And he ignored her.
Anya waited for quite a few minutes but the response didn't come. She didn't give up, "Is there a problem at work?"
"May I be of any help?"
"Are you feeling unwell?"
When she noticed her questions deepening his frowns, she had to stop and let him work.
The unwavering smile and lightheartedness while listening to her son dulled without her awareness. She uneasily waited for him to say something while looking out of the small window as the sky dulled. Both didn't realize Anya was completely affected by Alvin's silence.
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