By the time both the couples went upstairs, the scene was lively, thanks to Krystle who had narrated everything to them in a humorous way.

Jason expected Anya to softly handle, impress her in-laws and get the position of Dean of Imperial University. He snickered, how could he forget that Officer Owen never begged for anything?

More than that, he had heard Alvin was controlling. Thus he was amused by Alvin who held himself back to let Anya handle it.

Sitting around the burning fire pot, everyone kept themselves warm. Linus and Earl were busy at the grill while Jia kept tugging their pants for meat.

Earl kneeled and served her plate with hot grilled chicken and veggies, "Jia, you should eat veggies more." It would be easier for her digestion.

Jia looked at the veggies and meat on her plate. She wanted more meat or only meat. She smiled so sweetly, Early melted to her, "Handsome Uncle, veggies are good for health." Earl nodded, finding her cute but Jia added, "Meat will make me strong. May I get more meat?"

Earl: "..."

She had a point there and he was tongue-tied.

The ladies in the group chuckled seeing Earl finding ways to convince her to eat veggies. Anyway, Zane went to rescue, "Uncle Earl will give you more meat if you complete the veggies." He tugged her to sit and eat.

Earl: "..."

Krystle laughed looking at Earl who couldn't lie or compel a woman, may it be a little girl. "Bro, that's how you steal a girl. Learn from Zane."

Linus and Krystle were laughing at Earl when Anya went to them and took Earl's side, "Why are you bullying a gentleman?" He was soft-natured, "Ignore them, Earl."

Everyone toasted to Earl for finding the beautiful villa for Anya. So the rest of the evening joyously continued, teasing, laughing, talking nonsense.

It was a first-time experience for Alvin as he always attended dinners or parties at clubs or banquets. When he didn't have money, he didn't have time to waste.

Alvin would have probably got irritated without Anya, yet he was the most silent one there. He sipped wine watching her laugh, talk and take care of everyone. He used to think it was just a villa because it never mattered to him if it was a mansion, a suite at a hotel, or a small house. He never held attachment anywhere. It is just a place to stay.

Seeing her, he realized that place was more than a villa, a satisfaction to her years of efforts, relief to her parents, and happiness of having a home. A home where he will come back to.

——————

At the Matthews mansion,

Cordelia wasn't done yet. Casper, who wanted to go to his bedroom paused when she demanded, "Casper, I don't care what you do. I want Zane home. Didn't you destroy the Daltons and Hales? Do anything and get these on their knees."

Gianna sat on the couch and sipped water at her leisure. Alvin never bothered to care about her drama but as soon as he got to know she and Gabriel had hand in Anya's troubles all these years, he was destroying the Sallow family bit by a bit, by torturing them.

Why wasn't Alvin taking any action against her?

Anyway, she was underestimating Anya repeatedly. The latter didn't have many people around her. She was protecting her parents from the cops. Linus, Krystle, and Earl. She had another five people in the house, in them she found one familiar, the man who took care of Anya's parents in her absence.

Who is he?

But the point was, Cordelia was set on bringing Zane home and they will force her to give up her position. But Gianna couldn't control or stop Anya either.

Who could do the work for me?

Linus? He wouldn't bear to hear words against Alvin.

Krystle!? Every woman has a weakness, and Gianna wanted to get to know that.

Earl!? In the previous years, Gianna almost thought Earl and Anya would get together. Why does Earl care so much about Anya?

Gianna's lips slyly arced up when she deduced the possibility of Earl in love with Anya. Or else why would a single man try to be helpful to a sister's friend who has a baby?historical

If she pulls Alvin away from Anya using Earl, Alvin wouldn't care about anything in Narnia and he wouldn't threaten Liam's position. They could use that situation and bring Zane to the Matthews. Now she has to either create the situation or wait for the right moment.

Casper returned to his mother. If he could have controlled Alvin through his business, he would have done it a long time ago, "Mom, Alvin's business is neither small nor destructible."

Even if he succeeded in destroying one of Alvin's museums, they had insurance of hundreds of millions, he wouldn't be able to hurt even Alvin's hair.

And Anya!? He still wasn't able to find out about her. Her name was over the media as a thief but she is a cop. Then what was she doing in the secretariat? And why does she have widespread connections in the police agencies? She is in a much stronger position yet she wanted to become a dean.

She was a mysterious puzzle.

Casper frowned. If what Anya said was true, that is she bought the villa, how did she get so much money? It wouldn't be possible to own a magnificent villa in a high-class regency for any government official with a short term of service.

"I will find a way," Casper told Cordelia as he went aside, fishing his mobile.

Casper dialed a lawyer's number. After the greetings, he asked, "Is it possible to get the claim over grandson if we prove his parents are incapable of upbringing the kid or prove them as irresponsible?"

There was a pause in the line, [Yes, Chairman Matthews, we can submit an appeal to the court and get the approval depending on their unlawful act.]

Casper ended the call after a few more words and contacted other people. With his plan, they should get Zane or uncover Anya's identity. He also made sure his name wouldn't be linked in any way.

Gianna knew he was up to something. She will let him play his game while she snatches the happiness from Alvin's life.