At Nest Regency,
Alvin was tempted to go out with his wife, but that doesn't mean he was a fool. He wasn't careless to provoke Carozza or ignore him. Instead of racking his brain or wasting his resources, he chose to have a word with Carozza to know his intention.
Before Rob could lose his mind, he popped his two fingers asking for two minutes and Anya responded, "Cool."
Without wasting time thinking, Alvin picked up Rob's mobile and dialed Carozza's number. Either Carozza was preparing to attack or he was alerting Alvin about the people who contacted him. He just has to pick the hint.
'Ring… Ring…'
He wasn't calling Carozza to ask about the person. Carozza's reaction to the call would suffice him. He wasn't scared to face the troubles Carozza might cause. He just didn't want to leave his wife alone in the country to face the Matthews while he will have to tend to different problems.
The call was answered at the fifth ring and the voice of an experienced man sounded. [What a surprise!]
The people only knew when Carozza and Alvin were at odds. No one had an idea their rivalry had turned into healthy competition after crossing paths numerous times. That doesn't mean, Carozza won't change on provocation.
Alvin was back to his indifference when he responded to the question received in a message, "Mr. Carozza, another connection wouldn't hurt." If the person was valuable to Carozza, Alvin could do nothing to stop Mr. Carozza. Hence he encouraged the man to join hands with 'the enemy.'
There was friendly laughter at the other end. [Alvin Matthews, success earns more enemies.] And Alvin's enemies are increasing and the most powerful one was the Carozza family.
There was a pause in the line for a moment, filling it with deathly, unsettling silence. Whereas Alvin held his patience. If the call hangs up, then Carozza was up to no good. Or else, there were chances Carozza might not use the chance to harm him.
The cold tone with a hint of disgust and annoyance sounded, [I don't acquaint myself with substandard, tactless people.] The call ended.
There was no storm to guard up. Alvin didn't care to know the person who reached Carozza. Instead, he pitied that person for displeasing Carozza.
Alvin tossed the mobile to Rob and walked out of the study room saying, "Take a day off."
Rob: "…"
He was glad to deduce that Carozza wasn't going to be a threat. Nonetheless, wasn't his boss extremely calm and cool considering the storm brewing at Matthews Industries?
And what will he do with a holiday?
As if Rob's thoughts were aloud, Alvin paused at the door and turned around. "You should get a girlfriend." He suggested as if one could pick a girlfriend from the supermarket or shopping mall.
Rob: "…"
His boss occasionally becomes a half-witted lover boy. He silently fled unwillingly to take any relationship advice. Since Alvin wanted Casper to monitor them and be confused about their actions, Rob made sure those people won't disturb the three.
….
At the supermarket,
Anya truly wanted to be carefree and not worry when strolling in the aisle of the supermarket with her little son. But she couldn't drop her guard down or be at ease when she could feel the eyes on them. She didn't like this kind of life.
She considered the chances of people identifying her and Alvin and looking at them but nobody seemed to bother about their identity. Everyone was busy with their business excluding a few sets of eyes.
Even if Casper's men were keeping an eye on them, what are the chances that Casper wouldn't go as far as to kidnap Zane or harm him to warn them?
She hoped she was just hypersensitive and Zane was safe. Trying hard to distract, she didn't realize she was mute and serious.
Alvin and Zane looked at Anya and each other. The fun, lively, mischievous Anya turned into a lady who was alert and serious. That's so boring.
Alvin could guess what she was thinking. He couldn't tell that to the little brat so he grabbed Anya's attention without addressing her, "Little Chipmunk, get in the cart yourself." He pretended to be a cocky father who doesn't indulge his son.
Anya looked at her son who doesn't like to sit in the baby carriage. She wondered if Zane would listen to Alvin considering their bonding time. Well, she was naive there.
Zane was baffled looking at the baby seater in the cart. He looked daggers at his father as if Alvin lost his mind, "Chipmunk Monster, I am not a baby."
Suddenly his eyes brightened when he realized his father's motive. He pointed at Anya and sweetly teased her, "My mommy is a baby."
Anya: "…"
Alvin was proud of his son. He turned to Anya who skipped away, finding out their plan. "You sly chipmunks, don't you dare gang up on me." She wasn't going to fall for their tricks again and again.
Zane giggled and pulled the cart towards his parents. Alvin chased after Anya and scooped her into his arms. Oddly, Zane liked the idea of Anya in the cart.
Anya couldn't scream in public but wriggled in Alvin's arms, "Alvin Matthews, let me down." Her words fell on deaf ears. Her face flared red when Alvin put her in the cart, ignoring the eyes.
Alvin teased his embarrassed wife, "You are a baby." And Anya regretted saying it.
Rob: "…"
He watched Casper's men taking the trio's pictures. Why did it feel like Alvin hired photographers to capture their candid moments?
———
At Matthews Industries,
Harrison watched Casper's face turn dark as coal after looking at pictures of a family of three. He started to like Anya more and more for making Alvin human from a money-making machine. Then he pondered if Casper ever stepped in the supermarket once in his lifetime.
Shrugging his shoulders, he had to report about a few more people. Ean was having fun with his family, Rob was around Alvin, and Linus was in the Collins mansion. Every person closely associated with Alvin was having fun in the holidays and year-end.
Harrison could see he was pouring a jar of inflammable oil over livid Casper with his every word. Well, at least Casper got Liam back, Casper didn't own any more happiness.
As for himself, he was fated to slog his ass off every day to control the damage. He monitored Gianna's court case getting worse on the second court proceeding, admitted Cordelia to the hospital after her nervous breakdown due to stress, and prepared for the shareholders' meeting.
Liam couldn't let go of his mother or hold on to her. Lilian chose to take care of Cordelia whose health was declining. The other Matthews families actively sort out to gain an advantage during the chaos.
On another end, the three had a great time every day while Rob dealt with people who tried to meet Alvin. Anya started her treatment session under Doctor Bose. Alvin trained his wife every morning, did his work, and made sure his little enemy didn't take all his wife's love and attention.
The happiest for the three days was Zane who got to spend the whole day with his mother, played with her, learned from her, and teased her with his father.
Having no idea about the developments behind her back, Anya was content with the cheerful days and the life that was simple and fulfilling.
.....
Meanwhile, at Chief Justice private manor,
Jason entered the office room with Doctor Bose - Anya's psychologist following him. After knowing about Anya's condition, Jason had to keep an eye on her condition and recovery. When he got to know something critical, he had no choice but to bring the doctor to the chief justice.
Doctor Bose was a lady in her early forties. Jason had contacted her a long ago so she calmly followed him and faced the old man. It took her time to identify the man.
After a quick introduction and greeting, Doctor Bose came down to her work, "Keeping in simple words, a person doesn't have to be influenced by his or her traumatic incident all their life. One could overcome their terrible experience without treatment and lead a normal life." She explained first.
Chief Justice subtly nodded in acknowledgment of the doctor's words. Whereas Jason sat like a grim man out of hell. One couldn't say who stepped on his nerves.
Doctor Bose continued her analysis after two sessions with Anya, "After studying Anya Owen's condition so far, Anya Owen indeed prevailed over her experiences. I could confirm that Anya Owen's past mission and decision were taken by a sane mind." She has to maintain the confidentiality of her patient but she also has to cooperate with them. Hence she unhesitatingly revealed.
The Chief Justice's expression hardened hearing the doctor explain the past. If it was so simple, Jason wouldn't have brought her there. So he didn't have a good intuition for the next words.
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