Chapter 144 - The Prospective Granddaughter-in-law

Zane shook his head hearing Anya. He tried to look at her while speaking of what he got to know from Rob, "Momma, the sea route is the shortest and relaxing route to the beach house." 

Then he suddenly recalled he didn't tell anything. "Momma, Mr. Matthews has a beach mansion, a beach where others aren't allowed and a dock having water vehicles." Everything was new to Zane so he didn't forget to keep note of everything.

Anya wasn't surprised as Jason had told her that Alvin had a beach house. She made a note Zane loves beaches looking at his expression. She responded, "My Baby looks so happy." 

Alvin also made a note about Zane. He shares everything with his mother. 

Zane loves to learn and play like every kid. So Anya continued, "A beach where others or public aren't allowed is called a private beach." She taught him.

Alvin saw Zane nod and utter the words. He realized parenting wasn't just joining the kids to school, it was such a big responsibility. Suddenly he felt Zane weigh too much in his arms while thinking he will have to share her responsibilities to teach this Little Brat. 

What should he teach? How cunning the world is? Not to believe anybody easily? 

His thought process broke when he heard Anya ask, "What did my baby do today?" She sounded so endearing that he was green in envy.

Zane was excited for this part, "Momma, Uncle Rob took me on a jet ski ride in the late afternoon. It was so cool!!!"

'Uncle Rob?' Alvin's face deadpanned recalling he was still a Mr. Matthews.

Zane continued without noticing that he was annoying Alvin, "Uncle Rob said there are many water sports, he will take me to play with your permission…" One could read the excitement and anticipation just by his voice.

Alvin saw Rob, left Zane on the floor when they were already on the yacht Queen. 

He took Anya to the dining hall. Zane skipped next to her as he continued his narration for the whole day.

—————

At Matthews mansion, in the study room.

Casper was checking a file while sitting in front of a heap of files. Secretary Harrison reported what he got to know about the masked lady, "Chairman Matthews, the lady is a cop who is leading the Harper Johnson's case. The little boy is her child and addresses Young Master as Mr. Matthews. But…" He hesitated a bit as he continued, "We didn't get to know the name of the lady."

Casper was displeased that they didn't get much of her information. However, hearing the child belongs to the lady and calls Alvin Mr. Matthews, Casper couldn't understand what was wrong with Alvin to treat that woman with somebody's child so well.

Secretary Harrison placed his iPad on the table, "We weren't able to get a clear picture of the lady."

The lady's side profile was covered by her hair in one picture, her back was in another picture, She was wearing a face mask in the two more pictures.

Casper slapped the file on the desk, "He knows." Alvin was aware that his father was trying to know the lady's identity. 

Well, Secretary Harrison could also discern it.

Suddenly a cunning smile appeared on Casper's face. Casper accepted the unsaid challenge and instructed his secretary, "Check who is in charge of the case." They could go through the administration or higher authority route. 

Secretary Harrison responded to it before reporting another thing, "Chairman Johnson is detained in the police station and the reason is unrevealed. His legal team waited for the cop but the lady didn't return to the station." So Harper will be behind the bars for the whole night.

"She is daring." Harper complimented the cop. Very rarely does he gets to see the cops daring enough to directly go against the businessmen as they will have connections with the higher authorities.

The PA who was sitting on the couch and working on the file, voiced his thoughts as he stood up, "Chairman Matthews, we always got the information easily whenever we wanted. If the lady cop's identity is mysterious like Anya Owen's, could they be the same person?"

Secretary Harrison watched the PA for a few seconds before turning to Casper. Both knew well, the PA was trying to find out about Anya Owen so that he could report to Gianna quickly. That means Gianna was cooking up against Alvin.

Casper had thought of Anya Owen being the cop. He didn't want to overestimate a small-town girl. Anyway, "Call Bernard Collins." Since Anya Owen worked as an assistant general secretary, Bernard was helpful.

"But…" Secretary wanted to retort.

"Call" Casper deadpanned while his PA hid his smirk and dialed Bernard's number.

—————————

In the study room of President's Mansion,

Bernard elegantly kept the file down and took his mobile that was ringing. A frown appeared on his face when he saw the caller and his mood turned visibly awful. 

He hated the Matthews family, especially Casper for using his younger sister for a project and even slept with tipsy Janet despite being married.

Well, he was also angry at Janet for not taking responsibility for Alvin, but they were siblings, after all, he forgave her.

Casper doesn't usually call for chitchat or simple things so Bernard answered the call to know the cunning, selfish businessman's motive.

Bernard didn't speak purposefully and heard a man's voice, "President Collins, Chairman Matthews would like to speak with you."

Bernard merely grunted.

[President Collins…]

Bernard spat at him immediately, "What is it this time?"

He was receiving the call after years, in the past, it was about Alvin to know if he was alive or dead and where he was living. Bernard had hidden everything from Casper. He couldn't understand what made Casper think this time he will voice any information.

The other end didn't seem to mind Bernard's treatment. Casper asked, [Is your assistant general secretary the same Anya Owen who was with Alvin Matthews?]

Bernard got the gist of the conversation. 'Anya Owen.'

Seeing Alvin attracted to Anya and going out of his way to keep her next to him and protect her, Bernard considered telling the truth to Casper so that Casper could separate them. He didn't want Alvin to raise somebody's son. 

However, Bernard knows how Casper will handle it if Anya refuses to listen to him. Bernard didn't wish for Casper to hurt Zane to control Anya Owen.

"Looks like you will hunt every Anya Owen in the country." Bernard mocked the man without revealing anything. 

In reality, Bernard didn't know the girl from Alvin's university and his secretary was the same until a week ago. 

Casper was patient on the other end. He voiced his next question in a provoking way, [It seems President Collins is fine with your nephew being with a woman who has a child.] 

Casper wanted to fluster Bernard and it worked but for different reasons. "Stay away from the boy." Bernard didn't wish for a little boy to suffer between elders.

Casper merely laughed at his reaction and hid his displeasure. The aim of the call wasn't achieved but he got to know Bernard was aware of the lady and boy who were with Alvin.

Bernard frowned hearing Casper and looked at his mobile. He was jumpy thinking Casper might do something to Zane so ended up dealing Alvin's number.

————

In the Matthews mansion,

Casper's expression was ugly when his fake laughter ended. His PA understood it didn't work so he suggested, "How about we ask Linus Collins?"

Secretary Harrison's brows twitched. He rebuffed immediately, "Young Master Collins would never leak anything." His voice held a hint of annoyance yet he sounded formal.

Casper had different plans, "Pass the information to Elder Collins and keep people around the Collins mansion." 

Secretary Harrison felt it was a better idea. Grandfather Collins will immediately summon Alvin to the Collins mansion to meet the lady and her son. The old man won't object to their relationship, he would be excited to meet the prospective granddaughter-in-law.

Casper waved at his secretary to leave after it. His PA was disappointed before he focused on his work.

—————

On the Yacht Queen.

After dinner, Alvin watched Young Mommy and Little brat admiring the blue light around the yacht, flashing on the water surface. 

Exhausted Zane soon slept on the couch with a smile on his face. Covering him in a thick blanket, Anya was about to sit next to him, Alvin caught her hand and took her near the lounges next to the swimming pool.

She was killing her brain cells about what he might ask, when he questioned, "Who is behind the death of those three men?"

Anya sat down and told him it wasn't solved yet and why it was complicated.

Alvin nodded and signaled Rob to bring him something as he voiced his thoughts on it, "This is probably done by somebody who wanted to ruin the Collins name and bring Uncle Bernard down. The most advantageous by this could be Mr. Wright as he is the next in line for the presidency."

Anya nodded as she continued, "But Mr, Wright knows I and you aren't Collins. So he isn't the culprit. Somebody is targeting two birds." The culprit thinks of them as Collins and assumes Bernard Collins will target Wright after this, thus Bernard and Wright will step down from the power.

Alvin hummed as he took the iPad from Rob who kept two wine flutes on the small table.

Alvin opened a file in the iPad and passed it to Anya, "I have shortlisted these three…" 'for you.' He didn't complete the last two words.

Anya looked at him while taking the iPad. She would have checked everything, nevertheless, she didn't decline when he was trying to help her instead of doing his work. 

Alvin who grabbed a wine flute noticed her eyes on him and the corner of her lips were threatening to arc. The serious discussion suddenly became tense. 

Alvin left the flute on the table and loomed over her. Anya involuntarily went back as he pressed his hand on the lounge and cupped her head, "I can teach you how to thank me…" His deep voice kissed her skin, widened her eyes.

Anya's eyes wandered on his sharp features which were softened by the reflecting blue light.

'How to thank him?' She recalled giving him a flower in the afternoon and felt her face burn when realizing what he had expected. She quickly moved the iPad to cover her lips and pressed her left hand on his chest to push him, "Alvin…" It was more like a plea.

Alvin didn't trouble her. He straightened his back as he pulled her to sit properly. He sat back in the different lounge in front of her with his wine flute while watching her pink… Red face. He couldn't see clearly due to blue light. 

Anyway, it's good that she got to know how to thank him.. He smugly sipped his wine.