All set to overturn the shareholders' meeting, Alvin couldn't bring himself to leave without getting some attention from his wife. He leaned on the door frame watching the two making the ball of snow and throwing at each other while escaping one another.
Honestly, it was a completely meaningless activity to Alvin. But He would find everything interesting if those two were involved.
His lips curled up when Anya forgot to miss her aim at Zane and got carried away in excitement.
Rob, who was waiting for Alvin in the car, rushed inside the gates, holding the Ipad in his hands. The expression on his face was enough to say something was transpiring against them.
Yet, Alvin looked bone-chillingly calm while receiving the iPad. He read the headline of the verified article, [Dr. Anthony Hugh is the new Dean of the Imperial University.]
Alvin's eyes brushed over the content while Rob reported the data he was able to collect through the internet in a few minutes, "Dr. Anthony Hugh is a well-known scientist in the field of Chemical engineering. Apart from that, he is a management consultant and marketing expert. He has vast experience as a university administrator and academics."
In short, Rob subtly explained Anya had no chance against Anthony Hugh to fight for the Dean position. Even if they pressure the board of directors to make Anya the Dean, the students, media, public, and education ministry of Narnia would interfere. After all education and experience get higher priority in university rather than an award in a different field.
Alvin glanced at Anya who was laughing with Zane. His dilemma was, did Casper find out about Anya's mission? Or is it just retaliation from Casper?
Anyway, "Little Donut." His deep voice was low yet it grabbed the attention of the woman. He cued her with his hand to reach him.
Anya quickly reached the door and tilted her head looking at Alvin who was prepared for the day looking powerful and dominant.
Despite seeing his aloof face, she asked curiously, "Need me?" She could continue playing with Zane after the shareholders' meeting.
Alvin wasn't aware of how the latest news would affect her job or mission in any way. Alvin passed her the iPad and watched her petite face to catch every haywire expression.
He watched her brows raise reading the headline and drop but the lightheartedness in her gray eyes didn't waver even a tiny bit. Her reaction unawarely relaxed his shoulders.
Anya didn't fancy a top position. She just wanted to drag Gianna down from her position. Since Gianna was going to be in prison, she had expected Casper to stop her to console his ego. Hence she wasn't affected.
Passing the iPad back to Rob, she kissed Alvin's cheek and flashed him a winsome smile, "Never worry about my work, Dummy."
Rob glanced at Anya once before he took leave. He oddly expected Alvin to drop all his work and stop Anthony from becoming the dean. Shaking off his thoughts, he focused on the shareholders' meeting to strip off all the powers from Casper.
Alvin didn't want to worry about her work. But knowing the complexity of the mission, he couldn't help but be concerned for his wife who casually jumps into danger.
How was he a dummy? He glared at the woman who wasn't taking his uneasiness seriously.
Anya truly didn't want to keep sharing about her mission and trouble him more. But saying nothing was doing nothing well. Standing on her toes, resting her arms on his shoulders, she whispered next to his ear, "My dear husband, no one could stop me if I choose to join the university as a postgraduate student."
Alright, her plans weren't going to be disturbed. Why couldn't she just drop the mission?
"Or…" He mused, pulling her eyes to face him, "You could let me complete the mission." She won't be in danger that way.
Anya was giggling hearing him when Rob's hard footsteps reached their ears. Anya's expression hardened, looking at Rob hiding his panic, desperately looking at Alvin.
Alvin was quick to cup her face with his warm palms and made her face him, "I will be back soon." They had dinner plans at home, "Don't catch a cold." He didn't want to ruin her day.
The trouble couldn't be a coincidence, could it?
Anya had to control her urge to ask what was happening and delay his time. Reluctantly nodding at Alvin to let him deal with his work, Anya watched the two leave, uttering no word.
"Mommy, Mommy…" Zane yammered. He grinned slyly holding two snowballs with more than six at his feet.
To avoid ruining her son's day, Anya brushed away the troubles at the back of her mind. She pointed at the balls and exclaimed, "That's cheating!"
Meanwhile, in the Rolls Royce, Rob reported to Alvin, "Our site in country A has collapsed due to a gas explosion at very close proximity. The three archaeologists and five workers were in the tunnel."
Alvin's face darkened as stormy clouds. The archaeological sites would be either in fields or mountains. Never close to factories or residential areas. It was clear that somebody was targeting it.
Does Casper have such a strong connection?
Did Alvin fail to understand Carozza?
Alvin prioritized his team more than handling Casper. Ean won't be able to focus on the shareholders' meeting. So they completely brushed off the meeting from their minds.
Alvin rolled out orders as he started to reach out to his team, "Get the best rescue team, keep contacting the archaeologists. Appoint a team for the investigation…" Thus, Alvin, Ean, and Rob got busy with the company.
…
On the other end,
Steve Hanks stepped out of the snow-covered bush when the Rolls Royce drove away. His face had turned red, sitting in the cold for hours but his eyes burned red after reading the latest article.
He glared at Anya's villa and heard the chuckling voice of a baby. An evil smirk graced his face thinking of capturing Zane and teaching a lesson to Casper and Anya.
Zane was rolling on the snow and laughing at Anya who missed escaping the snowball. He abruptly paused when he saw men climbing the tall gates.
'Thud, thud… thud…' Anya's back stiffened hearing the sound. Her friends were busy, her colleagues weren't brainless, and Alvin or his men wouldn't pull that trick whatsoever. So the intruder had the guts to appear there.
Her priority - Her son's safety.
"Baby…" Her voice turned deadly serious. She extended her hand calling him quickly.
Anya's back was against the men but Zane. So he saw the men taking out baseball bats, wearing knuckle brass, and holding knives. His face was instantly painted with fear.
He quickly ran towards Anya and clutched her long jacket. "Mo-mma…" His baby voice quivered.