Chapter 170 - Obstacles On Their Path

At the main door of the Oasis mansion,

Alvin and Zane were looking at each other in silence. Alvin was in casual wear with an overcoat on his shoulder. Zane was in leisurewear, he had thought Krystle would stay and play with him, but she left with Linus. He was coloring in his drawing book while sitting with his grandparents.

Catalina and Dennis had an awkward smile because of Zane who had run up to Alvin and asked, 'Mr. Matthews, are you going to meet my Mommy?'

Zane wasn't clingy, he had numerous times stayed alone in the home when Anya was getting unexpected work. However, the recent events strongly affected his little heart. 

Although Anya said she will be back in the evening, Zane was craving to see and meet his mother, even for a brief moment. He would be satisfied if he gets to wave his hand at her.

Catalina and Dennis understood their grandson, yet they tried to interject. Catalina tried to convince Zane, "Darling, let's not disturb Mr. Matthews. He will be busy with his work." 

Zane asked Alvin so that he could tag along. He wasn't expecting Alvin to bring him out by ignoring his work. So he obediently nodded to Catalina. "Okay, Grandma." One could sense the disappointment in his tone.

At the same time, Dennis apologized for the interruption when he was right at the door, "Mr. Matthews, Zane didn't mean to trouble you. He is just missing his mother. I am sorry for the disturbance, please carry on with your day." He was already grateful Alvin was helping their daughter by letting them stay there for a few days. He wouldn't ask anything else.

Hearing their politeness, Alvin tried to respond with a faint smile but it was more difficult than he thought. Thus he barely nodded, indicating he heard them. He was thinking about how to bring the little man to his mother. Anya didn't tell him about her job profile so he wasn't sure where to find her or whether he would be able to get her location. Asking her would be futile.

His gaze shifted to Zane, "Zane Owen, I will bring you out. But I can't assure you if we will be able to reach your Mommy." His voice was void of any emotions.

Father and Mother Owen: "…"

Zane's face lit up hearing Alvin. He beamed as he nodded in acceptance that they might not meet Anya. "Thank you, Mr. Matthews." 

He glanced at himself. He was in home clothes, and it wasn't appropriate to go out in the cold. "Mr. Matthews, could you please give me five minutes? I will change and come quickly." He requested in his baby adorable voice. He innocently looked at Alvin with his eyes wide. Of course, he was luring the big man with his charms.

Alvin could bet he saw Zane's eyes twinkle. When did Little Brat become cute? Well, Alvin nodded and saw Zane run upstairs happily. Although Zane finds Alvin weird, he had noticed Alvin doesn't say no to anything he asks. 

Dennis quickly spoke, "Mr. Matthews, you don't have to take the trouble. Zane is a sensible child, he will understand."

Catalina also added a few words while Alvin heard them patiently and noted that Dennis and Catalina were worried about troubling him, rather than fearing to send Zane with him.

Alvin turned them down with a straight face, "Zane will probably be bored in the house. I will bring him out." Like always, his unemotional gaze and unyielding voice left no space for negotiation.

Oliver and Sophia: "…"

The butler and housekeeper exchanged some glances at each other after witnessing the whole scene. Alvin never cared about anybody, even if he did, he never showed it. Hence their master looked completely a different person from the past week. But of course, the stoic handsome face was still the same.

Alvin informed Anya on behalf of Zane. In the Bugatti Divo, father and son set out on their day out, looking all snazzy.

—————

At the secret service bureau, 

"So father and son are getting along." Anya heard an amused tone behind her.

Anya turned to Jason who had halted while passing by. She was aware of what Jason was trying to do. He didn't want her to isolate herself as in the past years. So he was pushing her to take a step ahead.

"Chief." She wished him and showed him the black folder that was in her hand. The folder had summoning letters for the private court trial on the next day.

Jason sighed while shaking his head in resignation. If he doesn't know her past well, he would have thought she was against love. "Officer Owen, if he is the one for you, he will ease your uneasiness…" He flicked his fingers, "Just like that."

Anya pursed her lips without responding. She feared Alvin might be punished for helping Bernard. She couldn't help Alvin as it will affect both of them and also her career. Jason wouldn't tolerate a lie from Team Ace. More than that, she will respect herself and be true to her job.

Jason noticed the officer's eyes weren't cold but filled with worry. He could guess what was bugging her. According to him, it was a big test for Anya and Alvin. If they pass, they might have a future together. Or else everything would go back to as it was. 

No man will go out of his way, risk his own life for a woman as Alvin did. So Jason was cent percent sure, it was Anya who needed to gather herself and embrace the new beginning.

He checked the time on his wristwatch. He had a meeting on a new case. He walked away as he added, "Do you think he won't know by this time that he will be interrogated for his actions?" 

Alvin Matthews who became nothing to billionaire in five-plus years wasn't someone to be neglected. Even half the smartness of Alvin was enough to guess what was coming his way when he knew Anya wasn't an assistant general secretariat but a spy in the secretariat.

Did Jason try to ease her up? 

It had the opposite effect on Anya. Alvin was helping her despite knowing she was going to bring him under justice. She felt pathetic.

'Ring… Ring…'

Her mobile went off brushing off her worries and giving her a reality check. That is, the Chief Justice was punishing her.

Her first sin - Acquainted with Alvin Matthews who is involved in stealing the hard disk.

Her second sin - Taking the help of Alvin Matthews to resolve the case.

Her punishment - Heap of work.

Failing in her punishment - Possibility of losing the mission and chances of suspension.

Her aim - Reduce the punishment for Alvin and Linus to a warning. Of course, keeping her hard-earned job safe.

The voice call successfully shifted her attention to the work. Anya answered the call as she left the office to meet the chief justice who will be at the courts, in his office.

——————

At Coastal City,

Harper Johnson barely caught any sleep on a dreadful night. If one end Anya was infuriating him, another end, he was fuming mad due to his son.

He initially planned to leave the country before sunrise. Anyway, his men notified him that cops were at the hotel and the hotel had only one exit.

He waited for his spy to report to his secretary about Kyle. But the call didn't come. Thus Harper made some changes in the plan.

He was going to the police agency and sign first, to show he was in the city. Thus he asked his men to transfer the money to Anya after he leaves the country. Or else, that psycho woman might kick him behind the bars by blaming him for that money.

Everything was set, it was time to execute the plan.

At nine in the morning, 

Harper entered the police agency as if he was stepping inside his company. He looked prideful and confident with the Secretary following him behind. They made their way to Anya's office but he was stopped by a junior cop. 

"Excuse me, Officer Owen is on leave. If there is anything, meet Captain David." The cop notified and closed the door of Anya's office.

Harper's eyes glinted at the words. He assumed Kyle Reynolds blamed Anya Owen and Anya went to the capital. So it was a perfect day to escape.

He suddenly became a civilized man and signed on the logbook without troubling anybody. Then he left the police agency like a well-behaved citizen of the country. 

In a restaurant. 

As planned, Harper stopped by for late breakfast. After eating, he managed to replace his position with a man of similar build and escaped from the back door of the restaurant kitchen. He didn't want to take the chances of cops following him.

Successfully crossing the difficult stages smoothly, Harper was sitting in the taxi with disbelief written all over his face. 

"How could everything go so smoothly?" Thus his confidence was replaced with restlessness.

Harper's secretary was left tongue-tied with the question. 

Shouldn't they be happy for getting no obstacles on their path?

——————

At Collins mansion,

Zane walked next to Alvin and entered a mansion that was smaller than the Oasis mansion. He didn't bother to question Alvin about the place, thinking the latter might have some work here.

Stepping inside, he pursed his lips without letting go of his little backpack to the maid who smiled excessively at him. "Little Master, I will keep your jacket and bag at the stand." The maid kneeled as she mentioned her intention for holding his bag.

"No, thank you. I prefer to keep it with me." He flashed a faint smile and quickly caught up to Alvin who had paused hearing the maid.

Alvin signaled the maid to leave and proceeded to go inside. He noticed the old man who always gave him attention didn't even look at him.

The old man who was reading a newspaper, shifted it away hearing the adorable voice that brimmed his heart. He kept the paper away and watched Zane who walked like an adult without seeing him here and there.

"Grandfather." Alvin greeted the old man.

The old man didn't spare an eye to Alvin and asked, "What is his name?" Because his grandson had no courtesy to introduce them to each other.

Zane glanced at Alvin and looked at the old man. The old man was in a comfortable outfit with a layer of warm cloth wrapped around his shoulders. His face had many wrinkles making him look like a soft old man. 

Looking at the eyes of curiosity to know his name, Zane bowed to the old man standing right beside Alvin, "Hello Mr. Matthews." He assumed the grandfather of Alvin Matthews would be Matthews. "I am Zane Owen."

Alvin looked at his grandfather who didn't scowl at the name, rather he was holding back a… smile? If Linus was there, he would have gasped in shock looking at their stern grandfather smiling.

Alvin turned to Zane and explained, "Zane Owen, he is my maternal grandfather. Father of Grandfather Bernard." Since Zane knows Bernard, he chose his name for better grip.

Zane's lips curled to O. If the old man's son is Bernard Collins, then the Old man is, "I am sorry for the mistake, Mr. Collins." He was quick to correct himself.

A hearty guffaw instantly filled the living hall. Elder Collins had guessed why the little boy called him Mr. Matthews. He was amused at how smartly the boy called him Collins without struggling.

"I love this child!!" He exclaimed between his laughter, "Your mother must be an amazing woman." To nurture the boy so well.

The last statement brought a sweet smile to Zane's face. Alvin also accepted it but first. 

What is there to love in his little enemy? 

'He is just a brat.'