In the Matthews mansion,
Despite putting his plan into action, Casper was restless. How couldn't he be restless after transferring all his shares?
All his hard work and his whole life were in Alvin's hands. If Alvin ignores everything, he will become the biggest joke in the business field.
Did he have another way to stop Alvin?
No. He did consider talking with Alvin but they had crossed that bridge a long time ago.
Till morning he had waited for a hint of hope to change the situation. But he learned some foreign men were meeting the shareholders and offering them an irrefutable proposition.
Casper had tried to reach out to the shareholders but most of them refused to answer his call. He felt humiliated because he was never in such a disgraceful position. It was always others who always curry favored with him.
Thus his pride was seriously damaged. He was ashamed to step out of the mansion or meet anybody. Wasn't he supposed to be one of the top businessmen in the country?
The awards. Innumerable honors. Business seminars.
All his achievements felt like an illusion. He couldn't bring himself to look in the mirror. He was mortified with the developments. May it be with the family or company.
Yet, to save the company from falling into foreigner's hands, Casper had no choice but to hand it to his rival, his second son, Alvin Matthews by making Zane Owen his successor on the papers.
Now, Alvin couldn't sell the company shares or watch it being destroyed after the current news. This was the only way he could keep what belonged to the Matthews.
Was he proud of his plan? or happy with it?
Absolutely not. But it was the only choice left for him to keep the Matthews name in the industries.
Uneasiness continued to intensify as neither Skylark nor Alvin gave any statement. His lawyer wasn't able to reach Alvin. Sitting on the luxurious, he looked haggard and lost instead of the owner of the place.
However, unintentionally his actions had lit the fire somewhere else.
–––––––
At Oasis Mansion,
In the study room, Alvin decided to lend his person to Alaric De Michèle after hearing about the crisis. No, it wasn't a help or favor. It was going to be a pure business deal.
Rob handed two copies of the agreement in a file to Alvin who went through it once before dropping the file in front of Alaric.
Alaric's eyes narrowed at a clause that had quoted a large number in case he refuses to do or fails to do the work Alvin put forward in the future.
The problem wasn't the quoted number because loyalty was priceless. The problem was the words after it. The work could be legal or illegal.
With the trouble growing under his nose, Alaric was itching to shred those people who were planning to stab him in the back. He wasn't any virtuous man but he wasn't sure how clean Alvin was as his primary business was overseas.
Alvin might ask him something extremely dangerous. Thus Alaric made up his mind that he will pay him the money if such time comes. He scribbled his signature hiding his amazement.
He was impressed Alvin trusts his men so much he was ready to give him the same hundreds of millions if his men turned out to be treacherous.
Most of Alvin's men were in different countries, busy with their job. In Narnia, Rob was out of consideration, Ean was out of the question, and his company management team shouldn't be disturbed by another person. Thus the one Alvin chose was Mark, his secondhand man.
Alaric did doubt Mark who had taken the little boy out to play. Nevertheless, Alvin wouldn't leave his son with just anybody.
Mark hated Alaric. The latter could see on Mark's face and sense that in the air. Nevertheless, Mark accepted to go after knowing it was a matter of six months utmost and that he could be of some help to Alvin.
….
Even after hearing Mark will reach APEX or Alaric's residence by the end of the day, Alaric made himself comfortable in the study room by saying he will wait until Mark handovers his tasks. He completely ignored Alvin and Rob's gaze and checked out the artifacts in the room.
Rob and Alvin couldn't believe, Alaric was lazily wasting his time when his own people were planning against him and his company. Well, they focused on their work.
…
It was closer to lunchtime when there were faint knocks on the door. Alvin lifted his gaze from the laptop and caught his little enemy peeking through the gap of the double door, reminding him of the pending teaching session.
Zane, who didn't get a glimpse of the burly man asked Alvin with a hint of anticipation, "Chipmunk Monster, if you are free, could you have lunch with us?" Us - Catalina, Dennis and him.
Alaric: "..."
Little Donut and Chipmunk Monster?
What in the world are these nicknames?
'Sunshine!!' Alaric felt a cold run down his spine when a nickname flashed in his mind recalling a certain someone smiling brightly in a yellow sundress.
He was there to cool the brewing storm in his mind but these people were corrupting his brain. He brushed past the little man, out of the study room.
Zane: "…"
Zane stumbled on his feet and watched the big man take a few strides and disappear from the first floor. 'Strange man.'
…
Nevertheless, father and son found Alaric sitting at the dining table, making himself home, introducing himself as Alvin's friend like a gentleman which he wasn't.
Alvin: "…"
He was glad Ean didn't hear that. Ean would have blown up at those words. Anyway, Alvin ignored Alaric to keep the lunch peaceful.
Alvin broke the pleasant silence of the couple who were warmly taking care of each other and Zane, "Dad, why don't you stay over till National's Day?"
Krystle and Linus were too busy to even breathe so her evening plan was canceled. Hence Dennis and Catalina were planning to leave after lunch.
Alaric continued as if it was the most natural thing to do, "He is right. Mr. Owen, your daughter is getting an award. You should be with her to celebrate her success." He was respectful but there was stiffness in his tone as though he was forcing himself to do it.
But why?
For the rest of the time, Alvin didn't have to utter a word. Alaric eased up, convinced Catalina and Dennis smoothly, and invited himself to the after-party.
Alvin: "…"
Catalina and Dennis looked like innocent lambs talking with Alaric as though talking with his son's best friend - Cordial, warm, and welcoming.
Alvin stayed quiet. He knew what Alaric was going through and guessed what he was up to. He had only one word for Alaric - strong-minded. If somebody else were in his place, they would have freaked out.
He was sipping water after lunch when his mobile beeped. He pulled his mobile out of his pocket and clicked on the message.
Suddenly his pullover felt too warm looking at Anya flaunting her sweat and drool-worthy abs by tugging her pants with a thumb after an intense gym session.
She undoubtedly had amazing curves after toning every inch of her body for years. Looking at her parted lips, barely showing her face in the picture, Alvin recalled every man who works in her team.
Alvin: Little Donut, who was there in the gym with you?
Anya: A man?
Alvin: Tell me. Should I gauge his eyes out or spank you raw tonight?
If he knew she was going there and working out, he would have cut some slack in the morning, and let her work out in the home gym. Ugh, this woman is driving him crazy.
Anya: Dirty old man, get on your knees tonight if you don't want to be celibate for the rest of your life.
Celibacy with her next to him? Alvin's lips slyly arced up. He should creatively punish this woman.
Before he could come up with a plan, a growl sounded from the hallway of the mansion. "Alvin Matthews, you f**king bastard. Come out."
Alvin and Owen's couple's expressions were distorted darkly. Zane was curious to learn the new f-word but pursed his lips hearing 'bastard' for his father.
Whereas Alaric looked entertained because nobody could enter the Oasis estate without permission. Yet one had managed to enter and hurl at Alvin.
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