At Matthews Industries,
Casper was busy handling the business-related work while Harrison was trying to find the proofs which they could destroy. However, they were well aware Anya would have proceeded only after collective evidence.
Brainstorming overnight, the legal team was in a mess. The lead lawyer uneasily stood in front of Casper. "Chairman Matthews, The situation is unfavorable to us."
Casper frowned. From the time they got the news that Anya was a recipient of the Presidential award, his confident legal team had lost hope. They were confused, panicked, and losing their cool.
Clenched his jaws, he questioned, "What do you mean?"
The chief advocate licked his dry lips uneasily. He placed a file in front of Casper and spoke without meeting Casper's eyes, "Honestly speaking, Alvin Matthews doesn't have connections in the country." That made him a one-man army and he couldn't trust anybody blindly.
"In contrast, Anya Owen might just seem like a cop and lived a simple life. Her network is far, wide, and deep in the country."
He pointed to the paper, "That's her track record available to the public." That also needed him to use his connections to obtain.
Casper was irritated hearing about Anya and Alvin. "Did I hire you to research her?" He growled, throwing the file back on the table.
The Chief lawyer paused and composed first. "Chairman Matthews, we need to know our opposition well enough to tackle them."
Casper could only frown at that. He grabbed the paper and ignored her achievements. But the last paper caught his attention. Anya had worked with many military officers, commissioners of different cities, top public prosecutors, and chiefs of different departments.
"How is this possible?" Anya was still young to have so many connections.
The chief lawyer glanced at the paper. He had studied the cases Anya handled so he had the response to it, "Anya Owen has handled high profile government scams." Such scams are linked to several departments and private sectors. Thus her roots grew stronger with each case.
Casper gritted his teeth. He had connections in the business field. However, none of it would come to help when it's about laws. He asked in irritation, "So?"
"I have studied a few cases of Anya Owen. If I am not wrong, they have all the required proof. If we try to erase the evidence, she will file more cases against us. Madam Matthew's case will eventually affect you with legal charges."
Casper slammed the file on the table, "So are you giving up fearing a woman? She has resigned, what could she do now?"
Why would anybody in her connection help her when she wasn't even working anymore?
The chief lawyer subtly tried to suggest an idea to Casper, "Since Anya Owen is chosen for the presidential award, the administration will closely follow the legal process. Anya Owen must have a clean slate."
Casper slowly leaned back on the chair repeating the lawyer's words in his mind. The administration will closely follow the legal process to find out if Anya had no hand in any illegal process.
If they find anything fishy, the award will be revoked. And they could use it to win the case and blame everything on Anya and state she orchestrated it.
Casper was aware that if he did that, Alvin would attack Matthews Industries. Well, Casper was confident in handling his company from every attack.
He took the file and started studying the cases and people mentioned in it. He needed a way to stain her image.
The chief lawyer smiled seeing Casper understand his intention. As all the evidence was against his client, he had to find a way to overturn the situation.
He moved on to their next move, "Since it's Sunday, we will only be able to meet Madam Matthews for some time." He checked the time. It was half past nine in the morning. "Shall we depart now?"
Casper was satisfied with his legal team. He took the file and they left.
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At the Owen house,
The Walker family began with their introduction, his qualification, his job, and his two-bedroom apartment.
Anya cut in, "No, Mr. Walker. I want to know how you could contribute to my family."
"I-I will take care of your parents."
Anya countered, "I could do that."
"I will support you financially."
"I earn more than you."
"I-I will be a good father to your son and be a good husband."
'A good father and husband?' They should be the ones to say if he could be a good father and husband. Anya changed the question, "Do you know how to cook?"
Seeing his hesitant look, Anya shook her head, "Never mind. Do fifty push-ups."
Father Walker looked at his son and interjected, "Why are push-ups important?"
Anya argued, "It is very important. What if I am drowning and your son couldn't even hold me until help arrives?" Anya realized she was setting her bar for Alvin.
'If he was here, there would have been no-nonsense.' Anya sulked.
Everyone: "..."
"Le- let's not go near w-water." Mr. Walker said.
Dennis and Catalina: "..."
Anya sighed. She was asking hypothetically. Instead of training himself to be strong, he wants her to avoid water. How is he fit to be a husband or father?
Wouldn't he stop Zane from learning swimming too?
She looked at her uncle, Dennis's brother, and asked, "What is the use of this kind man who doesn't even do anything better than me?"
Father Walker was flustered. If Anya wasn't getting so much award money, they wouldn't have endured all these. So he tried to lure her as she hadn't got any money yet.
"House... My son bought an apartment. He has paid back the loan too." He nudged his son, "Show the pictures. show, show."
Zane, who had come out of the bathroom, watched the man being smug about his apartment. He frowned seeing him shoving his mobile to Anya's face to show pictures of the apartment.
Catalina, Dennis, and Zane looked at each other. They imagined Alvin showing off his Oasis estate and found it hilarious.
Zane interrupted to help his mother and to break the confidence of the man, "Mister, does my Momma have to marry your new apartment or you? Speak about yourself, not a house."
Anya smiled hearing her son. Her baby is the smartest and most sensible. One could work hard, earn more and get a house. People and their personalities are important.
Father didn't take Zane seriously, "Kid, a house is needed to have a happy life. Leave this for the elders. Go out and play."
Zane knows they need a house to live in. But they live with people, and the house was just a place which they could change if they didn't like it.
He glanced at his mother who didn't utter a word about their new home and their mouths. So he boasted, "My mommy has a five-bedroom modern villa. We have a swimming pool and a large lawn."
Everyone: "..."
Anya pursed her lips to stop smiling. Zane knows well to hurt the pride of the man.
"Oh, have you rented out?" Mr. Walker asked Anya awkwardly.
Zane sighed, shaking his head. He grabbed his iPad and opened the pictures of the villa. He connected it to television and showed the pictures to everyone as he clarified, "My Mommy bought that villa because I liked it." He flashed a sweet smile at Anya.
Then he asked Walker, "So do you have anything else to impress my mommy?" He wondered why Alvin never tried to lure them with money like these people.
Mr. Walker stared at the screen, "H-how is it p-possible? An-Anya is too young to earn so much." He couldn't even afford the down payment for that villa.
Zane gave a merciless response, "By smart work."
Dennis was speechless watching his grandson. Catalina laughed out before controlling herself. Anya wondered if Zane was a narcissist like his father or if she had spoiled him. They had struggled their way up.
The walker family had thought the apartment would win brownie points. "It-it's not about money. Our personality, intention, and thoughts are what matters." Father Walker argued with Zane.
"Exactly!" Zane exclaimed, "That's what I was talking about." He had tackled these kinds of silly men who tried to impress them with money.
The Walker family: "..."
Anya imagined Zane becoming a lawyer and proving his statements right. She smiled to herself for a moment, then she softly snorted, missing Alvin who could have put an end to everything instantly.
'Wait, I have the ring, should I show it?' Anya looked at the chunky diamonds on her ring finger.
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