Chapter 29 - His Ploy (1/2)

On the surface, Alvin looked so calm that Ean, who grew up with him and the butler who looked after him, didn't dare make a tiny noise.

Both men looked at each other and shook their heads mentioning they had no idea why Alvin was livid. Ean guessed it might be because the lady left when Alvin went out of his way to take care of her. He wanted to voice as bring her back but he stayed quiet.

The housekeeper, Sophie who was busy arranging 'Anya's room' with other maids, came in search of Alvin. She smiled at Ean who brightly smiled. He hoped she could break the intense silence and cool the bone-chillingly calm Alvin.

Sophie had no idea so she broke the silence, ”Mr. Matthews, the room is prepared as per your instructions. Would you like to take a look?”

Ean's eyes widened turning to Alvin. He had forgotten. He dropped by at the mansion to deliver ladies' clothes. But it went out of his mind after seeing the young lady attack his friend. He was shocked again to know Alvin personally taking care of the lady's stay leaving all his work behind.

He couldn't hold back anymore. He questioned seriously, breaking another round of silence, ”Alvin, who is she?”

Their questions just seemed to worsen his mood. He still held the same composure but his grip on the fork was enormous as if he was trying to crook it.

Sophie looked at her husband, the butler, Oliver without knowing what was going on. She fell silent. Ean was used to Alvin's silence and indifference but this time he was worried without knowing why the lady was affecting Alvin so much.

Alvin gritted his teeth and left the fork on the salad plate. He stood up and strode away briskly.

Ean breathed out loudly while Oliver kept his noise down. Sophie asked first, ”Why is the Master's mood terrible?” Before they could respond, her eyes fell on another set of meals that were prepared for the lady. ”Did the young lady wake up?” The doctor had told her it might take an hour or two.

Ean questioned in a dilemma, ”Don't you guys know who she is?”

They had a lot of questions but no one to respond to.

----

Outside, Alvin grabbed his trench coat while exiting the mansion. He had thought he was stubborn but the woman he wanted was headstrong. He wanted to call her pigheaded for leaving in sleepwear. She would die in the cold before she leaves the estate.

He didn't take the car. Stretching his long legs, he marched at a fast pace to find the feisty, dumb woman. He had walked just a hundred meters when he caught a white frame sitting on the rock at the corner of the road. She had buried her face between her knees and her hands hugged herself.

The wind blew, rustling the branches. The colorful autumn leaves showered on her delicate frame giving a stunning view. He noticed her arms tighten and quiver with the blow of wind.

He spread the hem of the trenchcoat which he was holding in hand. Kneeling in front of her, he tried to cover her body with his coat. As her legs were folded he couldn't do it so he held the edges of the coat and hissed, ”Dumb-headed.” He sounded annoyed. Annoyed to see her suffering in the freezing air.

Anya knew who was there but her dizziness was in worse condition, she couldn't even keep her eyes open. She had repeatedly tried to halt and move but almost fainted twice so she had to sit down.

Alvin could hear her breathing through her mouth, deep and long. She was repeating her breathing pattern so he wildly guessed in his mind, 'Dizzy!? Why won't you be dizzy? You ate nothing for more than twenty-four hours. You even dared to attack me with your puny strength.' He berated her in his mind.

Anya lifted her head when she managed to open her eyes, ”I need to go.” She didn't want him to take advantage of her weak state and bring her with him. She has to reach her chief and report the situation. She needs to find out how Bernard got to know the hard disk was stolen. She had suspicions about Bernard Collins and Kyle Reynolds's actions. She won't be able to live peacefully with her son if she was labeled as a criminal.

Alvin watched her eyes barely holding up. Her face was flushed red in the cold. He clenched his teeth when he heard her ailing voice mentioning she wanted to go. A part of him wanted to drag her inside, but he lied, ”Later.” His voice came relaxed and distant.

He saw her purse her lips and tried to challenge him again, daring to go against him. But to his eyes, she was just a kitten that wandered off and quivering in the cold.

He was aware he could force her back to the mansion and she had no strength to fight back. However, that didn't quite sit well with him. He gave a reason, saying through his teeth, ”You are weak.”