While Casper was worked up, Anya sat at her leisure facing the middle-aged officer. Despite being a senior and much more experienced than Anya, he knew to respect the woman who was a recipient of the highest-level award.
"Ms. Owen, we are sorry for bothering you and summoning you on such short notice." He paused and saw Anya subtly nod, waiting for him to complete his words. "We have some questions, we would appreciate it if you could cooperate with us." He was courteous to her.
Anya calmly responded, "Absolutely." And added, "If you need help resolving any issue, I will gladly give you a hand." That way she could prove that she wasn't related to anything Casper accused her of.
The officer was momentarily stunned and softly chuckled, shaking his head in resignation. First, he will have to ensure she wasn't involved in anything at Matthews Industries.
"We have received the financial data of Matthews Industries." He was patiently briefing when Anya cut in, "I sent the data to the department."
The officer: "..."
It took him a few seconds before composing. According to Casper, Anya embezzled the money by hacking into the network. If she did that, why would she call the cops on herself?
Nevertheless, he calmly questioned her, "Why would you file a case against your family?" His tone was interrogating, crisp and demanding.
Anya was too cool without a single flinch on her face, "Importantly, marrying Alvin Matthews doesn't make the Matthews family my family."
Was she wrong? How would it become her family when Alvin doesn't consider the Matthews family as his?
Anya responded to the question, "Money embezzlement is illegal." She didn't bother mentioning her real motive; to teach Casper a lesson for attacking her home.
Taking her as a high morale officer, the interrogating officer moved to the next question, "Chairman Matthews is blaming you for embezzling the money. What would you like to say about it?"
Anya frankly told the truth. "He hates me."
The officer already knew the legal war between Alvin and Casper. So he wasn't surprised. Instead, he felt like the rich Casper was looking down on Anya Owen who was from a common background.
"You mean to say, you have nothing to do with the money." He completed the words she didn't say.
Anya promptly nodded, "Absolutely." She paused and added, "My husband has more than enough money for me to squander." She meant to say she has no motive to steal money.
The officer could understand her point of view but it wasn't enough to prove. "Where were you on Friday night?"
She responded with the truth, "Drunk and dancing in a club." There was no embarrassment in her.
The officer was momentarily speechless hearing her clear and crisp answers without giving a second thought before responding. "Where were you on Saturday morning?"
"Getting over my hangover at Oasis mansion, Hill Valley." Her tone was precise without a hint of emotions in them.
The officer pinched his nose bridge without knowing what to do with Anya and Casper. She verified herself as clear whereas Casper blamed her for the money.
Anya went forward to help them so that she could leave soon. She had to leave soon because Alvin was worried, and she wanted to reach Alvin soon so that she could relay what Casper used to frighten her.
"I can help the team to fetch the details of transactions of the company. If you find any of the links connecting to me, I will cooperate with the interrogation." They weren't allowed to keep her there without valid proof against her. Casper or his words held no control over her.
The officer pointed towards the door saying, "My team is..." He recalled she was one of the secret service officers. He decided to let her fetch the details. He could ask his team to verify. "Thank you." He bluntly accepted to take her help without any flowery words of gratification.
The duo reached the tech support office where high-end systems were installed. A group watched her fingers dancing on the keyboard and fetching the details of the days that they mentioned.
Letting them check the printouts, she also fetched the details of the accounts to which money was transferred. It took nearly twenty minutes for Anya to complete her work and stand up.
"Benjamin Matthews." The officer uttered, finding the culprit behind the money embezzlement of a few hundred million.
Sending his subordinates to bring Benjamin, the officer extended his hand to Anya, "It's a pity that the administration is losing such a talent from the team." He was impressed by her speed of collecting information when his team failed to get the details even after an hour.
Anya politely responded as she shook his hand, "There are much more talented people." Then she was personally escorted by the officer to the elevator while being congratulated for her award.
Her speed lowered looking at the crowd outside the entrance. Alvin was worried Casper might implicate her. Zane would become sad if he sees any article against her. So she decided to face the media instead of evading them.
She had just reached the door, six tall humans covered her from four sides. Anya saw the Skylark logo on their suit and calmly stepped out. She heard the media hurling questions at her, as the cameras flashed on her and recorded her reactions.
The questions varied from the court session to her opinion on the Matthews family and why she was summoned there. She was ignoring all the questions until she got the question to address both issues.
"Are you and your husband attacking the Matthews family and Industries for inheritance?"
Anya paused right in the center of the crowd and looked at the lady reporter who asked the above question. The lady reporter was taken aback for a moment before she was able to gather her courage to look at Anya.
The reporters suddenly fell silent guessing Anya was going to speak. Anya took a step closer and asked the lady, "Are you saying you sit quietly when somebody tries to kidnap your baby?"
Anya paused, watching the reporter open her mouth and shut it. She continued glancing at others, "Or does the media call the legal process an attack?" There was confidence against the crowd who was recording her and shoving the microphone toward her.
Well, they were indeed attacking but the media using those terms could affect Alvin's business negatively. So she corrected them to use their words wisely.
She added coldly, "As for the company, you will get to know once the raid ends." Then she walked out ignoring the inheritance topic. She didn't bother about the questions that again started to pour around.
Her composition to face the world was calm and cold but she was in hurry and anxious to talk to Alvin. She fished her mobile from her pocket and dialed Alvin while going towards her car.
She has played cool in front of Casper and people but only she knew how nervous she was thinking of Alvin.
What if they fail to manage the situation?
Will Alvin be able to take on the losses?
Will they stand with each other and face everything?
Meanwhile, on another end, Alvin was halfheartedly attending the conference when he was waiting for a call or a mere message from Anya with each passing minute.
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