The night before the shareholders' meeting was the most stressful and eventful. Casper was sleepless with numerous possibilities running through his mind. However, he was in no condition to do anything or call anybody.

..

Secretary Harrison was busy preparing the related papers for Liam to ascend in power and Casper becoming the chairman in the name. But he had a lot of questions to be answered.

Did Alvin pressure Casper to bring Liam into power?

Is Liam involved in Alvin's plan?

Why did Casper give in to Alvin's threat without a fight? That wasn't so Casper.

Or did Casper give in because of his heart attack? That couldn't be Casper either.

Then how did Casper change his decision so easily?

And why didn't Casper look like a patient in his eyes? Casper looked healthy other than wires connecting to him and an oxygen mask over his face.

Harrison shook off his thoughts and focused on work. He just hoped for Alvin to be satisfied with Casper's decision and for Liam to successfully have control over the company.

..

On the other hand, Steve Hanks cursed Alvin in his mind yet he did the job as Alvin instructed so that he doesn't have to count the bars for attacking Anya and Zane with thugs.

The other shareholders were curious and many had gathered, discussing the Matthews Industries' future. A few of them considered selling their stocks at market price before anything happens.

...

Lilian sighed when she woke up in the middle of the night and caught Liam staring at the wall. She didn't disturb him and let him accept that he couldn't have the large Matthews family but just them.

..

Krystle yawned uncontrollably watching Ean and Linus glaring at each other after a fierce argument. If she didn't know the reason, she would have freaked out at the intense stares and silence of the two men.

She groggily mumbled as she got up from the couch, "I have a shopping date with Annie and my godson tomorrow. I'm off to bed." Yet the two men looked at each other and snorted while the person behind their situation was smiling like a fool.

..

In another country, Anya crawled out of the bed and leaned on the study room door frame. Alvin was busy and Rob wasn't in her sight. Her eyelids sleepily batted while wondering if he was working day and night without resting in the past years.

Or else how could he have gained such success?

Feeling bad for him, she failed to hear Alvin say. "Little Donut!?"

Alvin muted the call and watched his wife who was pouting her lips, looking sad and her heavy eyelids barely opened to look at him. He instinctively wrapped his arm around her waist when she sat on his lap.

Making herself comfortable to rest her head on his shoulder, she tried hard to sound clear, "Hmmm.. Your legs will go numb by my weight. When you carry me to bed, you will cuddle me to sleep." Flashing a sloppy smile at her plan, she leaned on him and snoozed off.

Rob and Alvin: ".."

Rob wasn't sure if he should serve the coffee he just brewed or leave the suite. Alvin would have followed her if she had dragged him by the collar, yet she left him baffled by her mindless plan.

Alvin couldn't believe she came up with that plan when she was sleepy to her bones. She could have asked him to go to bed. But here she was, being adorable.

historical

'Goofball.' Removing the earbuds from his ears, Alvin left them on the desk as he glanced at Rob.

Rob understood the silent commands and nodded in response. He took care of the pending work when Alvin snuggled his wife to sleep.

Well, Alvin was bound to lose some sleep, without knowing if his plan was foolproof, executed in such a short time. Thus he woke up before the sun rose, resting for just a few hours.

––––

The sun had risen in Narnia when a strikingly handsome man carried the sleeping little man wrapped in a warm throw. The lady shifted close to her husband to escape the biting cold wind when they exited the private airport.

Alvin noticed her face turn red due to the coldness of Narnia. He instructed Mark, "Turn the heater in the car."

When Mark ran over to the car to instruct the driver, Anya noticed there were three cars and whined instantly, "Aren't you coming with us?" He hadn't rested in the night or during the flight.

Lying down Zane in the car, Alvin guided her to sit inside quickly. He nagged her without responding to her question, "Take a nap at home. Wear warm clothes before stepping out for shopping." The mother and son will be going shopping for the new year party without letting him arrange things in the mansion.

Seeing her eyes go around and sheepishly smile, Alvin could only flick on her red nose. "No more than two minutes." She was going to meet Casper first.

'Two minutes? How could that be enough?'

Anya peeked her head out of the window and pecked his lips. "Punish me." Sticking her tongue out, she managed to get a sexy smirk on his face.

Steve Hanks dared to appear only after the car left. The dark bags were obvious on his face. He looked a bit annoyed but more powerless against the crafty man.

Clearing his throat, Steve Hanks forced a fake smile and reported, "President Matthews, the seven shareholders are ready to support you but others are asking the reason."

He cautiously looked at Alvin's cold face and deliberated to ask, "What are you planning? Will you take over the company?" He didn't seem happy with that. He wanted to suggest himself or his son for the higher posts in the company.

Alvin merely glanced at Steve Hanks and got in the car. They headed to the hotel where some of the shareholders were waiting for him to offer hundreds of millions in return for their support. How naive!

His worry was about the two who were heading towards the danger, "Send a team to the hospital." He instructed Rob.

If Casper could kill four, it would be easy for him to target Anya's life. And Casper loved nothing more than himself and company. So Zane was their biggest weakness and Casper knew that well.

Alvin could have stopped Anya but he is well aware that she will be prepared. He took his precaution.

––––

At hospital,

Casper hardly slept at night. He was hoping for something to work out and avoid Alvin at the shareholders' meeting. Thus he answered the call as soon as it rang.

A hurried voice reported to Casper, [Chairman Matthews, Steve Hanks is working for Alvin Matthews. He just met Alvin Matthews at the private airport.]

Casper gnashed his teeth. He had guessed Steve Hanks to be working for Alvin. Yet hearing it made his blood boil in rage.

Instead of sending a person to harm Alvin or Anya, he created the opportunity for Alvin to use Steve Hanks.

Wasn't his second son too good at turning the situation in his favor?

He avoided Alvin from studying business and demanding positions in the company, Alvin excelled in computers.

He threw some money to keep Alvin away from media exposure, and his start-up was recognized by top companies.

He pulled his investments away to put Alvin under his feet, Alvin removed the shackles and earned millions of investments.

He threatened Alvin with Anya Owen, and he escaped from his clutch and soared to the sky.

Time and again, he failed to stop Alvin who used every problem in his favor.

Casper snapped out when the caller added, [Anya Owen and Zane Owen left in a different car. Steve Hanks is with Alvin Matthews. They are probably heading to the hotel where a group of shareholders is waiting.]

"What the hell is he up to?" Casper roared in the ward, frightening the butler to jolt up from sleep.

Wasn't he stepping down from his powers?

What was Alvin doing by gathering the shareholders?

Taking over the company was impossible in such a short time but Alvin could get the majority and become the CEO and president of the company.

Alvin could own all the powers and get the whole company under his control. Casper will have no control over the company.

Alvin hated Matthews. What if Alvin destroys the company and leaves silently?

As Casper's thoughts grew, he broke into a sweat and his breathing hitched. Every nerve of him was screaming at him to find Alvin and choke him to death.