His Devious Rule

In the Matthews mansion,

Gianna was sitting on the bed like a delicate lady as she applied a cream on her slender hands. Her fingers smoothly glided over her arm in a gentle circular motion.

Casper was sitting on the armchair, glaring at his wife. His nose twitched at the buttery smell of the product Gianna was using, nevertheless, his bearing didn't flatter for a second.

Most of the time, they ignored each other despite living in the same mansion and having the same bedroom. It was Secretary Harrison or PA of Casper who delivered messages to each other.

Shockingly, this was the third time of the week, the couples were in a conversation, face to face. Behind the soft expression of Gianna, she was clenching her teeth. Her fingers were itching to break something and her lips wanted to scream at him. Because the topic is yet again Alvin Matthews and Anya Owen. She was fed up with them.

"Gianna Sallow, don't make me repeat," Casper growled at Gianna who didn't respond to him.

After knowing his speedboat was caught, he had to make sure his name didn't get smeared. Well, he regretted his actions of meddling in somebody's mess. Thus he also learned he should stop underestimating Alvin and also Anya Owen.

One must know their sins during the time of retribution. Hence he bothered to sit in front of his annoying wife, to know what she had done to Anya Owen in the past.

Gianna frowned hearing Casper losing his cool over the two; One bastard and another worthless girl. Her mocking gaze was filled with revulsion when she looked up at the man.

She could have a comfortable and luxurious life by leaving Casper. But being eye candy of high society, leaving Casper would mean revealing that her husband slept with another woman. It was a matter of her image and dignity. She wasn't going to become a laughing object.

Not just that, the Matthews Industries and family had a lot more power and status than the Sallow family. In other words, the Sallow family was walking on the coattails of the Matthews family all these years. She wouldn't take a chance of bringing disaster upon the Sallow family by leaving Casper and infuriating him.

Hence she was enduring Casper's ignorance and behavior. It wasn't like Casper treated her any better before his affair. At least they had a physical relationship till then.

"What will I do to her? Did you forget it was you who scared her away?" She sneered, pushing the blame on him.

Casper's lips cunningly arced. He crossed his legs and rested his arms on the armrest. He was showing a blind eye to her actions doesn't mean he knew nothing. He was just bearing her as her actions never crossed the line.

However, five years ago, he hadn't thought Gianna must have been keeping an eye on Anya Owen and took the chance to sing in his ear. Since he didn't hurt Anya Owen but warned her through Liam, Casper was sure Gianna wasn't such kind-hearted to let go of her chance to hurt Alvin through Anya.

Casper picked the file from the side table and threw it on the bed. "Gianna Sallow, who are you lying to?" He snarled.

Gianna didn't touch the file. She understood he had some proof against her for troubling Anya Owen. Nevertheless, no line of worry or panic appeared on her face.

She closed her eyes and gently patted her cheeks with her fingers. A sinful smile appeared on her face when she opened her eyes, "Casper Matthews, you know I won't stop if you continue to give more importance to them." Her smile disappeared when she warned, "Watch your action."

She slid under the comforter and laid down on the unnecessarily wide bed. She closed her eyes and her lips arced softly. She believed she wasn't the one to be blamed for her actions.

A soft and silent sigh was escaping her lips when she felt her jaws crushing under the calloused fingertips. Glaring daggers at the man who was looking into her eyes, her finger dug into the bed. She was going to give every bit of her pain, embarrassment, and shame to Anya Owen and see the Bastard suffer.

Casper said through his teeth, "Then keep your bags packed. Your future is in her (Anya Owen) hands." He shrugged her jaws and straightened his back. Both glared at each other in distaste without giving in.

Gianna went to the restroom to wash her face, repulsed by his touch while Casper pulled a tissue from the side table and wiped his hands as he went out of the bedroom.

The sleep-deprived secretary Harrison was yawning in the study room when the door abruptly opened. He hurriedly stood up and heard Casper's grave tone, "Any updates?"

Harrison quickly reported, "No, Chairman. There are no actions against us... Yet."

Although they transferred the ownership of the speedboat SS7 to the man who was riding it, the cops or Anya Owen must have been at his door with a warrant in hand.

With that thought, Casper had brought anticipatory bail for an emergency. Because if he was arrested on Saturday evening, he wouldn't be released till Monday. Casper wanted to take no chance against Anya.

However, nothing was going as he was expecting. There was no word of him or any actions being taken against him. So he couldn't quite fathom what was Anya Owen Planning for him.

Casper waved his hand to send his secretary and tried to complete the work that was delayed. He was ashamed to accept that he was distracted the whole day due to Anya Owen.

There were no details of the cop Anya Owen and her working style. The local administration of the Coastal city or the Commanding officer of the police agency, nobody knew about her and nobody had the power to control her. It was like, if she appears at a place with absolute power, then she will disappear without a trace.

Who is she?

He needed no more words, pieces of evidence to say she wasn't just a normal cop.

Thus what worried him the most was, that Anya Owen wasn't just a small-town girl anymore. She has returned with a success. Her success is the best revenge as her actions against them could turn out to be barbarous.

Hence, he wanted to be aware of Gianna's actions against Anya other than his warning through Liam. He planned to guard up but the dumb woman was fixated on hurting his second son by hook or by crook.

He wasn't the one who would live in worry due to someone. He aimed to stay low until he could find a way to bring Anya and Alvin down.

- - - - - -

At the Oasis mansion,

It was half-past twelve when Alvin completed a meeting. He thought to wrap up for the day. Standing by the door of his bedroom, he involuntarily recalled Anya sneakily peeking inside. He went to the next door and pushed the door, the room was dark and the bed was untouched.

He turned and went to the next door. This time he was unawarely careful while opening the door. As soon as his gaze traveled between the creak, he saw a pair of eyes gleaming like a pair of the bright moon in the darkness.

He wasn't going to run anyway. He opened the door and went inside. A table lamp on her side was on, she was leaning on the headboard and reading a book without a hint of grogginess in her eyes.

Although he slyly got her signature, she would be his legal wife on Monday. He didn't do it because he was high on testosterone or to keep her caged with him. It is his bargaining chip while he continues to persuade her, ignoring her rejection each time.

He tapped on her nose when he reached, gazing into her cautious yet confused eyes. "You won't let your son have his room, will you?" His voice was low and deep. There was a hint of amusement in his tone.

Anya closed the book and crossed her arms. Alvin had a misconception growing up in the Matthews family, "Mr. Matthews, You probably got your room on day one. In families like us, we pamper our children for many years. Aren't you adopting Angela? she will cuddle you till her teenage years. Don't worry." Even if he behaves like children should use their room, she will make sure Alvin enjoys fatherhood.

Alvin's mind played the images of him putting a little girl to sleep as Anya puts Zane to sleep. He was baffled. Then he recalled Angela sweetly speaking with Anya in the courtroom. Imagining Little Brat on one side of Anya and Angela on another side, Alvin felt like he was left out.

"We aren't adopting." He decided and went towards the door.

Anya immediately got off the bed and ran behind him, without understanding his thought process.

She asked, jumping in front of him, "Why not?" She was already thinking Zane will get an elder sister to play with. Her parents will be happy to know they will be taking care of an orphan.

Alvin didn't stop. He took short steps while she walked backward in front of him. He didn't hide anything. He lifted her right hand, "Little Brat will hold this," Then he lifted her left hand, "That little girl will follow you holding your left. What about me?" He couldn't believe he was making himself outcasted.

"..." Anya tried hard to suppress her laughter that was ready to spill out of her lips, due to his childish tantrums.

That's a big problem. She paused and watched his dead seriousness. She held his hand and made him clutch the hem of her nightshirt. Hiding her grin, she pretended to be coaxing him, "Here, Here… Hold my shirt and follow me."

Alvin narrowed his eyes at the woman who chortled heartily. He was serious and she was making fun of him. He tugged her shirt hard, pulling her into his arms.

Anya gasped, stifling her laughter. Did she piss him off? She quickly held his shoulders, trying to create some distance between them, "You know, my baby and Angela are grown up and self-dependent." She gave a gentle squeeze to his shoulders as her teasing voice added, "I will take care of the big boy. Don't worry."

Anya noticed his brows raise as if saying, 'I see' while his eyes were predatory and lips were in a smirk of victory as if he caught his prey.

The tension in the air was raising her heartbeats. She tried to silently get away from his arms but he tugged her closer, causing her arms to go around his neck.

"Alvin…" She mewled when she could feel his warm breath brush over her skin.

'What's wrong with me?' She wanted to push him away but her eyes refused to look away from his lips.

'Why am I thinking of a kiss?'

Her eyes drooped on their own when he got so closer that his lips grazed over the line of her lips. She felt like he was compelling her body, and also her thoughts.