The Conwell Family

On a plane flying to the capital city…

Julian looked at his partner who was fast asleep by his side and still could not understand why he had to be on this flight.

This morning, this woman came to his house while he was preparing to go to the station and dragged him to the airport saying she's going back to her home for Christmas and he had to follow him. She even applied the leave for him. While he was trying to refuse her, his captain called him and told him to go with her. With that, he could guess that they were here for work but he still could not make out which case would require them to come to the capital city. While he was still busy with his thoughts, the pilot made an announcement.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, now we're approaching the capital city where the local time is 13:00. As we start our descent, please make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their full upright position. Make sure your seat belt is securely fastened and all carry-on luggage are stowed underneath the seat in front of you or in the overhead bins. Please ensure all electronic devices including laptop computers are turned off or in flight mode. Thank you."

With that sound and the descending movement of the plane, Shelly woke up.

"We've arrived," she said.

Julian looked at her with a frown and asked, "Can't you already tell me the reason to bring me here?"

"Our Cap might be worried that his beautiful lady officer would have trouble on her way back home without an escort," she answered with a shrug.

Lady? Have trouble? Julian was speechless. This she-hulk could solve any problem with just brute force. As he knew that she did not plan on giving him a serious answer, he did not bother to ask her anymore.

The plane landed safely and they walked towards the departure gate of the airport. They did not have much to carry as Shelly only brought the bag she always brought to work while he only had time to pack his toothbrush and a change of clothes before being dragged to the airport.

Once they exited the airport, a handsome teenage boy with an expressionless face walked towards them. Shelly also walked towards the boy with a wide grin and ruffled his hair.

"Oh, my baby boy! You came to get mommy in person?"

The boy frowned a bit but did not move away from her.

Julian was a bit surprised. 'Baby boy?' Her son? The boy was clearly in his late teens and Shelly was only 36 years old. That meant…

Noticing the look on his face, Shelly explained.

"Ahem, I was quite wild during my high school days"

Like not you are not wild at all right now! Julian did not have any difficulty imagining her getting involved in a scandal.

"Meet my son 'Alex'. And Alex, this is mommy's partner, Julian"

"Hello, Corporal Kent," the boy shook Julian's hand. Although he was still a teenager, his poise and manners were not inferior to that of a grown man.

"Hello, Alex," Julian responded with a smile. He did not find it strange that the boy knew his rank and surname as his partner might have told her family about him.

"Just call him 'Julian'. Why are you acting like an old man," Shelly grumbled.

The boy ignored her and said to Julian, "Please come with me".

The boy brought them to a black Rolls Royce parked in the VIP parking zone.

Before Julian could feel anything from this grandeur, Shelly asked in a startled voice.

"You came alone with no driver? You're already 18?"

"Please at least try to remember my birthday, mother," the boy said in displeasure and sat in driver's seat.

"Oh, my baby is all grown up," Shelly said smiling from ear to ear.

Julian sat at the passenger's seat and after they got onto the main road, he tried to converse with Alex.

"Did you have any trouble finding us?" Julian asked courteously.

Before Alex could answer, Shelly interjected.

"Why would he? They put a tracking application on my phone."

"My mother never picks up her phone and she tends to forget that she has a family and a home from time to time," the boy said in a polite tone.

Julian could actually sympathize with Alex and the rest of her family. He continued to make some small talk with the boy and found out that he was quite mature and knowledgeable.

After driving for about 3 hours, Julian realized that the car drove into a private property with golden letters imprinted on the stone wall which read, "Conwell Corps".

Then he remembered the smart and handsome scion who was sometimes mentioned in the news and looked at the boy calmly driving the car.

'Alexander Conwell'

Then he looked towards the back seat and thought, 'So, she's the mysterious wife of Derek Conwell'. No wonder.

Although Shelly could be unrestricted with her actions, he knew that it was only because of her unpretentious attitude and she never touched anyone's bottom line. Moreover, she would show her elegance when you would be least expecting although such occasions were pretty rare.

The car still drove for about 20 minutes until it finally stopped in front of a mansion. And as Julian expected, he had to witness real-life butlers and maids waiting on them. Even his bag was taken over by a butler.

When he could not contain his curiosity anymore, he asked Shelly in a whisper.

"How did you hook up with the prince of Conwell Corps?"

"We attended the same high school," Shelly answered nonchalantly.

"I thought such a person like him would be home-schooled or would attend an elite school."

"Of course we attended the school for elites and young heirs. Wait. Did you think I'm not eligible for such a school?"

Julian only raised an eye-brow in response.

Shelly took out her phone and searched for something before shoving it to him.

"This is my father."

"What the…" Julian almost cursed out loud, his voice echoing in the large hallway.

The display of the phone was showing today's news with a man's picture.

"The secretary of defense?" He lowered his tone immediately when he noticed that some servants glanced at his way because of his previously loud voice.

"And he let you run wild like that?"

Shelly shrugged, "The words he always said was that I'm free to do anything as long as I'm willing to bear the consequences. And who do you think taught me martial arts and shooting?"

Such open-mindedness! Allen really wanted to salute the bravery of her father.

"What about your husband? He let you go to the crime city alone?"

Shelly showed a mischievous smile. "You think he can control me?"

Yes. Who would be able to tame this fierce and head-strong woman?

"Do you want to rest up first?" Alex asked Shelly.

"Is your dad home? If he is, bring us to him first," Shelly said.

"He was having a video conference in his study before I left home. It should be finished by now," Alex replied.

The oldest butler politely added, "Yes, Ma'am and young master, Master had just finished his conference and had yet to leave his study."

With that, they walked to where Derek was and knocked on the door.

"Come in," a deep voice answered.

Shelly let the butler leave and open the door by herself.

As soon as Derek saw his wife, a warm smile spread over his previously expressionless face.

"Welcome home," he walked towards her and gave a hug.

"Yes, I'm home," Shelly returned the hug as she had been missing his warmth for 5 years.

"Ahem," Alex let out a dry cough seemingly embarrassed by his parents showing off their love in front of Julian.

With his son's reminder, Derek looked towards Julian while still embracing his wife.

"Sorry about that," he said with a polite smile.

"I don't mind, sir," Julian said.

"Just call me Derek. Thank you for taking care of my wife in City X," he shook Julian's hand.

"No, sir. She was the one taking care of me," Julian replied courteously.

Derek chuckled.

"You can be honest. I know that she could be quite a handful at times."

Julian smiled wryly. He really wanted to say, 'You understand your wife very well,sir'.

After making some small talk for some time, Shelly looked towards Alex with serene eyes.

"Baby, can you leave us for a bit. There's something important mommy and daddy need to discuss."

Alex did not make a fuss and left the room quietly.

When Julian was wondering if he should also leave, Shelly's voice rang.

"Close the door and come sit down here, rookie. What we're gonna talk about is related to our work in City X."