His Devious Rule

Alvin's eyes were on Anya. He noticed her two fingers crossover. He glanced at Linus who wasn't bothered. Alvin found her adorable looking at her slender fingers crossed that were barely visible.

If she was worried about them, why does she have to pretend to be an angry cold young woman?

'Goofball!' His lips were threatening to arc.

Chief Justice glanced at Anya who didn't react and stood without showing her emotions. He continued directing his words at Alvin and Linus, "Considering that you were tricked by Officer Owen and obtained nothing by your actions, you will be released with a warning.

However, if the court finds out any such cases against you, you two will be punished for theft also." He paused as he wrote something on the paper, "Make sure to deliver an apology to Officer Owen."

Anya and Bernard inwardly breathed in relief. Linus thanked Chief Justice while Alvin ignored the old man and watched her fingers uncoil.

Chief Justice added as he drew a circle on the report that was on his table, "Linus Collins's efforts to find the girl Angela and matron are notable."

He lifted his head and looked at Alvin Matthews. Although Anya didn't voice much about Alvin's efforts, everything was detailed in the reports. What Alvin did in such a short time wasn't possible with the administration.

"Alvin Matthews," He called out and paused, to get Alvin's attention from a certain someone. "Why did you help Officer Owen?" He knew it wasn't because of the hard disk or Bernard or to bring down Harper.

Anya: "…"

Alvin didn't bother standing up. He glanced at the old man and responded, "For my Little Donut." His fruity deep voice floated in the silent hall. He didn't mean to mention her nickname, it just came on his lips.

The jury members laughed, shaking their heads. For them, Anya Owen was a dangerous explosive, a deadly missile. She isn't a dessert.

Anya felt the tips of her ear turn hot. He wanted to kick the man for using 'Little Donut,' in the courtroom.

#[Munchkin: Read the situation, bro.]#

Truth to be told, she was relieved to know Alvin wasn't angry at her, he and Linus weren't punished.

The Chief Justice didn't bother to acknowledge the nickname. He wrote down something as he spoke, "Then you don't earn the recognition for your help but a gratitude from Officer Owen." He indirectly instructed Anya Owen to deliver her gratitude for receiving Alvin's help.

Anya's brows twitched faintly at his words and looked at Jason, to know what was that recognition that Chief Justice mentioned and Alvin missed. Whereas the jury members looked at each other and nodded as though they were approving something. Nobody understood what they were communicating.

Alvin shrugged. What will he do with her gratitude that she keeps voicing it? He mumbled to himself. "I want her… Whole."

Linus wasn't in the mood to smile but he looked at Alvin in amusement. He started feeling like Alvin wasn't possessive or obsessed with Anya but insecure. Alvin didn't know how to voice it thus he sounds like a possessive man.

Linus had the urge to say something but controlled. His words probably won't have much of an effect. The best person to make his brother better and help his brother was Anya Owen.

Chief Justice's attention shifted to Harper and his secretary when the cop brought Harper inside to hear the verdict for him, "Harper Johnson is stripped of the right to freedom, taken under custody until all his cases are resolved. Alert all the departments to seize his company and properties to find any unlawful actions. Ordering secretary Stewart to cooperate with the teams."

Harper indeed started struggling and causing a scene so he was taken out immediately.

Anya frowned when Chief Justice didn't say anything to Bernard and closed the case file. She looked at Jason who read her perplexion and cued her to be calm.

The Chief Justice looked at the crying woman on the floor. "Yulia Harris is terminated from her job. She will be sentenced to seven years imprisonment. The imprisonment years and punishment will vary once all the crimes of her will come into the light."

He watched as Yulia was taken away by a lady cop. He glanced at the front panel, "I request the jury panel to appoint the teams to handle every case." Thus Anya doesn't have to be involved in small cases.

However, Anya furrowed when the old man stood up, "Chief…"

The Chief Justice cut her off looking at Bernard who stood up with him, "Bernard Collins will have to wait in the secret Court. I will have a discussion with the jury members before the final verdict."

Then Chief Justice looked at Anya Owen. His stern face softened and his voice gentle and proud, "Congratulations on the completion of another mission, Officer Owen. You will be rewarded accordingly." He was satisfied with her job.

Anya's nails dug her palm when she bowed her head. She wasn't happy about the completion of her last mission. She forced a smile, "Thank you, Chief Justice." Unamused and distant.

"All your losses will be reimbursed to you very quickly." He stated so that she doesn't have to worry about it. He wasn't going to cover the expenses of Alvin as the latter accepted he helped Anya Owen on personal interest.

He was leaving when Anya said, "Minus a million."

"Huh?" Everyone turned to her.

"Harper Johnson topped up my bank account with a million." Anya turned to Stewart.

Stewart took the cue and accepted immediately, "Harper Johnson planned a show as Officer Owen took money from him and helped him escape." But Harper failed to escape.

Chief Justice shrugged as he exited the room while saying, "Consider it as a vacation sponsorship."

Anya: "…"

'A vacation?' She needs to find a house and job. Looks like she wasn't lucky enough to relax after her mission.

Everyone watched Chief Justice walkout, followed by Jury members who congratulated her, except Jason. "Grab something to eat."

Anya clenched her teeth without responding. She watched them leave before grabbing her jacket and going out to meet the different area cops who were there on her instructions with the criminals.

Bernard turned to Linus but the latter walked away saying, "I am leaving, bro."

"Linus, listen to me." Bernard tried but Linus disappeared through the door. He was sure Linus wouldn't answer his call. So having no choice, Bernard turned to Alvin, afraid that Linus might go somewhere he might not be able to reach.

Linus respected him all these years which he lost by a lie. Only a few could stop Linus. Linus never crossed Elder Collins, he loves his mother. All the more he listens to Alvin.

Bernard didn't want to bring Elder Collins and his wife to this matter so only Alvin could help him. "Alvin…"

Alvin looked at Bernard for a few seconds before nodding. He didn't care what Bernard does with anybody unless his Little Donut was safe and happy. So he went out as he fished his mobile out.

Linus answered the call, "Be careful." Alvin said so that Linus doesn't take a drastic step in anger. He had no plans to stop Linus from going anywhere. He had no objection unless Linus stayed safe and available to the phone.

There was a pause in the line when Linus breathed out loudly. He responded, "I will return for dinner." He hardly went to the Collins mansion when Alvin stays in the city so he will go to the Oasis mansion.

Alvin was satisfied. Linus was always an obedient son of Collins and a joyful brother of Alvin. So Alvin didn't worry.

He hung up the call. He could leave the secret court but he glanced behind where Anya was busy instructing some cops. He dialed Rob and instructed him to chaff for Linus.

He took his gaze away for a few seconds, and Anya vanished from his sight. The building was of five-story, there were many restricted entries. He wasn't sure where to look. He went downstairs to wait for her.

——————

In a room, five members sat and opinionated, argued, and discussed their views on Bernard and his actions. The time wasn't fixed, it could take a few hours, a day, or even more until they come to a mutual decision.

Wright was summoned to the office once, Bernard was questioned again and the discussion continued confidentially.

Meanwhile, Anya took care of the small cases and transferred the permission to captains to lead the cases. However, she couldn't do that for Harper's case, only the Chief Justice could. Thus Captain David left the city with Harper and Stewart.

She noticed Alvin walking towards the elevator so she went upstairs to the lounge assuming Alvin was leaving with Linus. She checked messages from Team Ace members. They were asking her to request the Chief Justice to let her continue.

Anya bit her lips, she was prideful to do that. Was it her mistake if Alvin appeared at her office?

Why does she have to always pay for his actions?

At the same time, why couldn't she bring herself to get angry at him?

She didn't lose Alvin but the job. She couldn't get happy for one. With a heavy heart, she stood and watched out of the window without noting the time.

The job!? She wasn't sure what to do. Nothing piqued her interest. She will probably have to choose a job to survive and provide for Zane.

The two hours passed when she heard a knock on the door and a cop from the secret courtroom informed her, "Officer Owen, the court will resume in five minutes."

——————

The Secret Courtroom,

Anya stood by the chair where she was at. Bernard and Wright were in front of her. The jury panel was the same and the Chief Justice too.

The Chief Justice motioned his hand for them to sit and came to the point directly, "After much consideration and every consequence, The jury panel and I have come to the conclusion."

Anya, who attentively heard the old man, glanced at Bernard. He was too calm to believe, thus it brought a faint frown on her face. Her intuition strongly hinted to her that something wasn't going to be right.