His Devious Rule

Anya faced Alvin when there was no trace of heavy heart or sadness on her face. Her eyes looked clear when she smiled with the cute dimples appearing at the corner of her lips, "Thank you for coming." It wasn't a sarcastic remark because she was genuinely happy when she saw Zane and Alvin.

Was her job cool?

But it comes with a lot of rules and regulations to follow.

"I have a lot of work to complete. I will send Zane back. I will see you in the mansion." She informed him and went to the car.

Although she didn't seem to lie, Alvin could sense something wasn't right. Just the previous day he realized his presence might not be helpful for her work.

Did he cause another trouble for her? He just wanted to bring her son to meet her.

He saw her collecting a few folders, bags from the car and entered the building after flashing him another smile. But that smile didn't reach her eyes. She disappeared into the building and the little frame walked up to him with a bright smile.

Zane sincerely thanked Alvin, "Thank you for bringing me to Mommy, Mr. Matthews." His lighthearted voice spoke of his delightedness.

Mother and son were so alike. They always showed their gratification and never backed down from accepting their mistakes and apologizing.

Alvin rubbed his head still worrying about his Little Donut, "Get in the car."

Zane skipped to the car and got inside. Alvin drove away, stopping himself from calling Anya.

—————

In Jason's office,

Jason was busy organizing the files when he heard a knock on the door. He hated to say it but said, "Prepare your resignation, Anya Owen." His tone had changed drastically unlike how they spoke in the morning.

Anya, who took the first step inside the office, halted right there. Despite guessing what was waiting for her, it was harder to accept. She could feel her heart dropping to her stomach and her body falling weak as if she had just run a marathon.

Indeed, the team needed her. At the same time, rules are above her. She could go back to cyber security but it would be an insult and invitation for trouble. She could get a private job but she won't like it as much as her current job.

She was just a few steps to her goal. Her goal is to provide for Zane in every term. Education, protection, and living. Nobody would have dared to threaten her or hurt her son if she had achieved her goal.

But all the progress slipped off her hands without giving her a single hint. If others work hard to stand back and try again to achieve their aim, she doesn't have that option either. She couldn't be a part of Team Ace again.

Senon and Melvin recalled the consequences as soon as they noticed Jason. But they didn't expect Jason to be cold-hearted. They expected Jason to find ways to keep Anya in the team. They were even ready to shift the office to a new building to manage their confidentiality.

Senon removed his lollipop from his mouth and barged inside the room. "Chief, this is not fair. It isn't Skye's fault if that man found a way to reach here." He believed Anya won't tell confidential things to anybody.

Jason stopped in his actions and looked at the furious young man. His eyes went on Melvin who stood next to Anya, silently announcing his support for her.

Leaning back on the leather chair, Jason smiled coldly which was wicked and provoking. Melvin lowered his gaze, Senon pursed his lips. It was the first time team Ace became two in opinion. One side was Jason and the other side had three officers.

Jason looked at Anya who needed some time to accept it so he asked Senon, "Powerful? What about you guys? Do you have such connections too? I don't have any."

If she didn't have such a connection, this day wouldn't have come. The bureau's secrets and privacy shouldn't be compromised. One has to bear the consequences. It couldn't be Alvin so it has to be Anya Owen.

Senon could understand it but he still felt unjustifiable. So he grumpily announced, "Then I will resign too." He wanted his idol, Skye, to work in the same team, if not better.

Anya instantly furrowed while Jason's face darkened. She went inside and pulled Senon away by his arm. Her voice was colder and oppressing, "You are doing nothing as such." She would never let the team fall apart because of her.

Senon clenched his teeth looking at Anya who had accepted the punishment when she did nothing wrong. He threw the lollipop to the ground and ran out. He was angry and helpless.

How could he watch his idol leave so unfairly?

Melvin could only bow his head, glance at Anya before going behind Senon.

Turning back to Jason, Anya apologized, "I am sorry, Chief." There was a disruption in the Team Ace due to her. Before leaving she will make sure all the four will let her go without arguing with Jason.

Jason nodded. He was proud that the family he formed was close to each other. But he was helpless. "Your work…"

Anya hurriedly cut in, "May I please complete my mission before leaving? Since I have no other task assigned, there will be no handover job." Her fingers clutched the hem of the jacket, looking back at Jason in the eyes.

She has done nothing wrong. So she doesn't have to lower her head like a failure. She will walk out confidently like they were losing her, an officer with a good caliber.

Jason had expected this from Anya. She was an officer who could threaten him to leave the job. She had a very strong personality hence she was able to sustain so long. Her absence will undoubtedly affect the whole team in both performance and motivation.

He pointed to the chair on the other end of the desk "What is the current status?" Once he hears her, he will decide whether to let her complete the mission or not.

Anya sat down and started reporting. Now, she could only hope for a chance to complete her last mission. She didn't want to leave with an unfinished job.

She was yet to complete reporting the status, her mobile rang. Anya checked that it was a call from Captain Samuel who was on the ship. She stood up, "Excuse me, Chief. I have to take this call."

Jason nodded in approval.

Anya went out of the office and heard the flustered captain, [Officer Owen, they duped us.]

Anya's back straightened and her eyes were alerted hearing the anxious tone of the captain. She could guess Harper had done something, however, she stayed calm so that Captain could inform her clearly, "Captain Samuel, what happened?"

Samuel took a long breath to compose and explained, [The ship has left the port. We went to the container to arrest them and saw the container lock was broken. I immediately checked and found Harper and his secretary aren't here.] His voice was a bit shaky at the end.

He regretted not checking the container earlier. "I guess, I am a fool." He added by taking the blame.

Now she understood Harper's plan for sending a million to her account. He was trying to show the world that she took money from him to help him escape.

Anya muted the call and looked inside the office. She simply stated, "Chief, emergency."

Jason waved his hand to carry on her work. Since she was the only one who was closely involved in the mission and rescue operation, nobody could do justice to her work other than her, "Resign after the mission completion." He instructed.

Anya's aloof face changed briefly. The lump in her throat caused her to respond in nods. She ran away to her office and forced herself to focus on the case.

"Connect Captain David to the call. Ask the junior officer to contact the sea patrol team and get the list of boats that…" Her instructions continued.

Her mobile rang with Alvin's call but Anya had no time to speak with him. [Little Donut, Harper Johnson...]

Anya cut him off hurriedly hearing Harper's name, "I am handling it, Alvin. Can't talk right now." She ended the call immediately.

———In the car ——

Zane was watching Alvin who was looking at his mobile in hand. He rarely sees any expression on Alvin and he found out 'Little Donut' was a nickname of his mother.

It sounded sweet, 'Why didn't Mommy tell me before?' He wondered.

Meanwhile, Alvin couldn't believe Anya asked for no help when all her work could be solved by him easily.

Zane gently patted Alvin's arm, "Mr. Matthews, you shouldn't use mobile while driving. It is very dangerous." He patiently taught the man.

He didn't say it when Alvin answered the call over the speaker of the car. He had to say because Alvin was holding the mobile while the car was still moving.

Alvin: "…"

He wondered if Little Brat was frightened but he was sitting like a calm Buddha. He sighed internally and kept the mobile away. He focused on the road as he decided to let Anya do her job without interfering.

Silence enveloped the car for some time until Zane's eyes suddenly twinkled and held Alvin's arm, "Mr. Matthews, could we go there?" His hand pointed to the shopping mall. "I won't take a long time, I promise."

Alvin: "…"

Seeing Little Brat behave like an adult, he had forgotten Little Brat was still a little boy who loves to play. He didn't turn down and took the U-turn at the junction, "Sure."

Thus father and son's date continued.