When the door to the director’s office was pulled open from the inside, Matthias left the room. Since the Locke Group was fully under his control, there was no need for him to be there.
At this very moment, he could openly announce that he wished to personally bring Locke Group to its downfall, and that bearing no fear against the family’s head, things were bound to change with each passing second.
As though he had a new life, he organized the suit he was donning. To him, every molecule of air he took in was refreshing. He loved that sensation, and he intuitively lifted the corners of his lips.
If it weren’t for coping with Heather’s covert operation, he would have shared the news with her right away. Sadly, given the circumstances, he couldn’t do so.
With how things had escalated, Matthias grew even more assiduous. Since he didn’t want to involve her in the Locke Group’s affair, he didn’t even contact her on social media. Although he was desperate for a compliment from her like an ungrown child, he wanted her to hear the news from others.
As he scanned his surroundings, Matthias turned around and stared at the Locke Group building and momentarily forgot where he was about to go. As he left the premises, he couldn’t find a place to go home to as he wished to desert all the residences under that family.
Now that he had nothing else, no words that could describe the emptiness he felt. It wasn’t as simple as the happiness from turning a new leaf, for there was even a bittersweet sensation coming from a tinge of unwillingness to flee the family!
As the cooling zephyr brushed against his face, he was reminded of how long winter was this year, and innumerable incidents seemed to have cramped up in this one chilly season. Falling under an illusion that he was looking forward to spring, he tightly held on to his shirt as a fondness for winter suddenly surged in him.
Meanwhile, Heather was notified by Zayne regarding Matthias’ status as she hid in the rented residence. Man, he must have planted bugs all over the Locke Group’s building!
“He was escorted out of the director’s office?” She was piqued by the occurrence of such an event.
“You don’t look worried.” Zayne saw through her, and he could tell that she was indulging in the drama.
“What for?” she chucklingly continued, “There’s never been an issue in Locke Group that he couldn’t solve.” Since she knew Matthias’ true capabilities, she exhibited not even the slightest bit of concern.
Meanwhile, Zayne acknowledged that there was not a single error in her words by shrugging his shoulders, but her attitude might have been a little too lax.
“This old man that appeared out of thin air is no one to simply mess with,” he told her, attempting to draw the subtlest concern from her face.
“The person who can force Matthias out of the company is none other than the family head himself,” she casually replied, having figured out the identity of the old man.
At that, Zayne helplessly looked at her. He had no comeback seeing how persistent her carefree attitude was.
“Since you’ve already guessed it, why aren’t you worried?” Zayne wanted to witness her perturbation and how she would look when she was disconcerted for someone else’s sake.
When she saw how meddlesome he was, she pursed her lips and was growing more reluctant to give him what he desired.
“You’re overthinking it, Zayne. With how the entire company is already in his hands, I honestly can’t find anything to worry about,” she stated with a helpless face. “No one is able to shake him off from his pedestal, not even Locke’s head.”
Since he couldn’t scare her at all, he decided to withdraw his devilish mischief. Be it, then!
“Fine. You got it all right. How boring!” Zayne got up from the couch. Initially, he wanted to frighten Heather with the news, but to his disappointment, the result wasn’t as he had anticipated. It was treacherous!
Seeing his disconcertment, she laughed excitedly. Sometimes, he would leave her the impression that he wasn’t actually a detective. She would often be astounded by his foolishness as she would always have to deal with him and his pranks.
“The yard looks good, Heather. Do you want to play ball?” He extended an invitation. Since they always locked themselves in that place, Zayne needed something else to distract himself.
At that, Heather merely rolled her eyes at him. At that moment, all she wanted was to satiate her slothfulness by lying on the bed and doing nothing, which included not moving her body.
Since he had been heartlessly rejected, Zayne turned to Jason as the latter lurked in a corner. When their eyes met, the other man immediately turned away.
“Let’s ball, Jason,” Zayne uttered.
“What’s a ball?” Jason responded emotionlessly.
Zayne was utterly infuriated by his housemates, and he said in confusion, “It’s our country’s sport, you heathens!” Why were things so hard for him? All the man wanted was a game of basketball.
The other two that were being rebuked didn’t even flinch, and that throbbed him like a direct smack to Zayne’s face. After observing the nearby court and seeing how he was closer to Jason, he had a eureka moment.
“Can you grab the ball for me, Jason?” He gave him a dazzling smile. Since he knew that it was no simple smile, Jason figured there was something else in his mind.
“I literally can’t move,” he blurted as he continued to snuggle up on the La-Z-Boy, enjoying the comfort of the couch. There was no way he would want to leave its embrace.
With that, Zayne espoused the fact that people would change as time went by, just like how the diligent Jason he knew turned into a sloth.
“What are you going to do now?” Zayne walked to Jason. Having given up on Heather, he decided to focus on convincing the other man instead.
Heather covered her ears, annoyed by the endless immature quarrels of the childish brothers. All this noise. Have they seriously never considered the fact that both of their ages could almost add up to 80?
“Let me enjoy the day in peace, Zayne,” Jason said to the former. As though he was thoroughly exhausted, all he wished for now was a pleasant, calm afternoon.
“Look at yourself, Jason!” Zayne lectured him, for he loved doing so.
“Why don’t you find another spot to lie on? Stop shaking around in front of me.” Perhaps Jason was triggered by his brother’s actions, so he started to speak more.
Upon hearing that, Zayne sincerely considered looking for a bat to knock him out as it was growing to be a pain in the bum. His overzealousness was the prime example of men and their overflowing vigor.
Thanks to their thundering arguments, Heather started to contemplate whether she should move out, fearing the men’s noise would irritate their neighbors as she wished the house’s walls were able to block them off.
Right at this moment when she instinctively winced, her movements were caught by Zayne’s prying eyes. As he stared at her from afar, he suddenly revealed a devilish grin.
“What’s up, Heather?” When he directed his attention to her, she was immediately taken aback.
“The two of you are noisy as hell. I’m moving out,” she said, feeling embarrassed by how she had been caught off guard by Zayne.
With that, Zayne walked up upon her with a mischievous chuckle. Since she was trapped in her spot, she didn’t know whether she should challenge him or retreat to the couch.
“That’s not fair, Heather,” he uttered painfully as if she had done something cosmically devastating.
She awkwardly responded with a forced smirk, “Can’t you just keep it down?” The moment she realized that she shouldn’t be manipulated by Zayne’s flow, she decided to take the initiative.
“Come on, Heather. We could make use of such a spacious space! Are y’all just going to crawl up in the corners while doing nothing?” He interrogated her. She used to be the hyperactive one, but for some reason, things had mysteriously turned around.
Heather shook her head and answered, “Our main priority is to keep ourselves hidden, so it’s best that we don’t draw any attention.” She wished that he’d stop bothering her, so she could only resort to logic.
“How is a game of basketball attention-drawing?” Zayne childishly retorted. What’s wrong with just a game?
“It certainly is! If we were to play in the yard, everyone would definitely see us, so it’s too risky. If you don’t trust me, you can ask Jason.” She dragged the latter into the battlefield without allowing any bystanders.
Upon hearing her, he quickly added, “Indeed, indeed! Basketball will draw too much attention.” All he wanted was his alone time with his La-Z-Boy, and anyone who wished to get him up could dream on!
Realizing that she had the upper hand, she crossed her arms and revealed a glaring beam as she continued, “Look at that, will you? None of us think we should be playing basketball, so I suggest you not dwell on it.”
After finishing her words, she boastfully turned around and headed toward the staircase, intending to return to her room upstairs and leaving the brothers alone in the living room.
Nonetheless, the persistent Zayne yelled at her back, “If you don’t want to play in the yard, we can play in the room. You know what? The living room sounds good!”
Upon that, she hurried her steps and vanished in an instant, having not the tenacity to stay any longer. As he stared at her retreating back in disappointment, he was thrown off by her exceptional escaping skills.
On the other hand, Jason shifted his La-Z-Boy away, hoping that Zayne wouldn’t be able to see him. As Zayne was the only one that was dissatisfied, he would nag Jason into Valhalla. The sight of the brotherly fight was much more adorable than Heather herself.
“Play with me, Jason,” Zayne begged him as he shot Jason a smile so loving that it was unnerving.
Jason sensed danger approaching; he was certain that if he were to reject his invitation, he would surely perish in his hand. As though he was being charged at with a spear, he could feel the penetration from his brother’s gaze and quickly decided whether to flee or to give in to his brother.
As he was still hesitating, Zayne marched boldly toward him. Jason looked at the other man while he approached hastily, and he couldn’t refute after seeing his desperate face.
“Fine, okay,” he unwillingly blurted, though his body was still attached to his favorite La-Z-Boy.
Zayne ordered after revealing a cold grin, “For starters, get up from the La-Z-Boy.”
Although Jason was reluctant, he was intimidated by his brother’s terrifying stare and discontentedly claimed, “Whatever. It’s just a game of basketball.”
Having said that, he immediately sprung up from the La-Z-Boy while keeping a resistant expression. Meanwhile, Heather, who was upstairs and had witnessed the whole thing, heaved a sigh of relief as she was finally out of Zayne’s grasp.
I wonder how Matthias is doing now, Heather thought as she peered at her phone, receiving no news from the man.
