His Devious Rule

Although Alvin convinced himself to let her stay in the villa she will be satisfied with, he preferred none of them. He was getting irritated but seeing her give in to his childish excuses, he continued to accompany her.

Wondering what could be his excuses?

'This bathtub doesn't fit me.'

'Do you want me to park my car on the road?'

'Do you call this a lawn?'

'Such a loud neighbor.'

'Security man is drooling at you.'

'Here? You will have to travel all day to reach the airport.' and so on.

They looked a few more after dinner. Zane was asleep in Anya's arms after a full day of exhaustion. Anya yawned uncontrollably, stopping herself from dozing off.

Alvin took off his jacket and covered her legs when she got in the car with Zane. "Let me put him in the backseat." He thought she might continue to look till ten in the night as she was planning to move out soon.

Anya shook her head. Her son was growing up too fast. It won't be long she wouldn't be able to cuddle him. Motioning her hand for him to get in the car, "Aren't you exhausted? Let's head back." She said, stifling a yawn.

Alvin removed her sling bag and tossed it into the backseat before closing the door of the car.

They were on the way when her mobile rang. Anya blinked at the man as the bag was far from her reach and Zane was in her arms.

Alvin obliged for the silent command. He pulled the car aside and fished her mobile out of her bag. "Your father."

Anya would have answered the call but she didn't. She didn't know much about the relationship between Bernard and Alvin, she wanted Dennis and Alvin to have a good balance to the expanse, Dennis could call Alvin his son. "Answer it for me… Please." She faked a yawn which eventually turned real, moistening her eyes.

Alvin obviously wanted to refuse her until he saw her yawn and frown due to tiredness. He hesitantly said the foreign word that he hardly used on his lips, "Hello…"

There was a pause in the line before Dennis's voice came, "Hello, Mr. Matthews, I just called to inform Anya that we have safely reached home. We grabbed dinner on the way so it took some time."

Alvin learned that not just the youngsters or ladies call their parents or significant other to inform them about their safe arrival but elders do the same.

'I never saw Uncle Bernard do the same?' He mused.

He faintly nodded to himself before realizing it was a call to Anya. He briefed up and gave the reason why he responded to the call. "We were hunting for a suitable house. Little Donut is exhausted, Lit- Zane is asleep."

Anya smiled hearing Alvin update about them without being questioned. That was a great improvement from the man who just answers to the point.

But why was he so stiff? Though his body seemed to be in a relaxed state, his voice was a bit rigid as if responding to a strict teacher in the school.

Dennis, who heard Alvin, sighed on the other end, "Searching won't end in a day or two. It's so late, why don't you three rest for the day? No need to exhaust yourself."

Alvin's eyes were on Anya when his unemotional voice sounded, "Sure, Mr. Owen."

Anya whispered, "Rest early. Good night." Alvin squinted his eyes at her and she made a cute pleading face.

At the same time, Dennis took the lead, "Alright then, Good night." Although he was a bit reserved with Alvin, he completed his job as an elder.

Anya curled her lips down and made a sad face. Alvin couldn't bring himself to turn down despite knowing she purposefully made him speak with Dennis.

He blurted out, "Rest early, good night." He hung up immediately and glared at the woman who was making him do so many things he never did.

Anya quickly tried to calm the man. "You should be rewarded."

"And you should be punished." Her tactic didn't work on him.

Anya wasn't scared of him either, "Bring it on." Sticking her tongue out, she signaled him to drive.

'Beep.'

Before Alvin could keep Anya's mobile away, there was a message from a contact named Senon. Alvin unintendedly saw the content of the message and looked at Anya. His expression changed to rather serious due to the content of the message. [Gianna Sallow.]

Anya read the content and her expression changed for a good few seconds. She had asked Senon to help her to check where Flora went from the villa.

Her intuition was right. Gianna was the one who used Flora Dalton to send Alvin away from the Matthews family. If Anya's other guess was right, Gianna knows about Zane.

Anya's arms unawarely tightened around Zane, if Gianna could be cruel to young Alvin, she would be evil to Zane as well, because Zane has the right over Matthews's ancestral properties and assets and he is the rightful heir of the Matthews family.

Anya could only hope for Casper to keep Alvin out of their family which will be safe for all.

But, if Gianna knows Zane was Alvin's baby, then why is she quiet? What is she cooking against them?

Anya's shoulder faintly jumped when Alvin cupped her face and turned her to face him, "Did she do something?" The murderous air in the car was intense.

Anya wasn't sure if all her deductions were right. So she didn't mention anything about Zane. "Gianna Sallow used Flora Dalton to chase you away."

Alvin inwardly sighed in relief. He judged as she probably provoked Flora to meet Gianna and kept an eye on Flora. Alvin flicked her forehead, "I know that, don't worry about the past. I will handle it." He had seen Gianna for over two decades, he didn't need to investigate to know the truth.

Anya had planned the same way. She didn't want to tell Alvin or include him in anything at first. Then, she chose to share with him as they know a few things which the other one doesn't know.

"No, you should share such things with me." She earnestly proposed. Each of their actions will affect Zane directly so they should be careful.

Alvin gave in and spoke about the Matthews family on their way home. Anya asked her numerous questions and he patiently answered them without asking back anything.

—–––––

In a cafe,

Gianna clenched her teeth looking at Flora. Gianna was busy having her not so intimate but a formal kind of gathering with other business ladies.

She didn't expect Flora to find her location and appear without calling her even once. What's more, Flora looked unkempt with messy hair, smudged eyeliner, swollen eyes, and marks of fingers on her cheek.

Gianna's not-so-close friends looked at them in bewilderment. Thus Gianna excused herself and brought Flora to the far end of the cafe where nobody was around.

Flora Dalton who always kissed Gianna's a**, looked skeptically at Gianna. "Aunt Gianna, do you know who slept with Alvin when I drugged him?"

If Flora was asking that question, it was obvious she got to know about the past. Gianna didn't put on the elegant graceful appearance in front of Flora. "Flora Dalton, are you testing me? Or are you trying your fortune?" Gianna scoffed bitterly.

Flora knew Gianna wasn't as gentle as she portrays to others. Yet she was shocked by discerning Gianna's words. She couldn't believe Gianna knew Anya slept with Alvin and had a baby, yet Gianna was encouraging her to follow Alvin.

Furious, Flora demanded a response, "Aunt Gianna, why didn't you tell me about their son? Why did you fool me for so many years?"

'Son.' Gianna's brows tugged tightly. She had collected the news that Anya's baby won't survive due to an extreme imbalance in Anya's physical and mental health. Hence Gianna never tried to kill the Bastard's son.

Gianna had followed Anya for two years. She thought to use the kid as a bargaining chip if Alvin appears to take what belongs to her son, Liam. Nevertheless, Anya suddenly disappeared.

Gianna had assumed Anya left the country or city. She never expected Anya and Alvin to get together or meet each other again.

If Casper or Elder Matthews who cries for an heir gets to know about Zane, Liam, and his daughter will get the least or nothing while the Bastard will win everything.

Is this called blessing in disguise to the Bastard?

Why is the Bastard always fortunate?

Gianna would never let Alvin step into the family with his son.

Flora seemed to finally open her eyes to the truth. Now, fooling her wasn't easy and it was also useless. "Why will I fool a fool?" Gianna scorned.

Flora had no idea about Alvin being an illegitimate son of Casper and she wasn't smart enough so she couldn't win against Gianna either. All she could do was hiss in frustration and storm out of the cafe. She could only blame herself at this point.

Gianna wondered if Flora would stay away from Alvin or provoke him further.

Well, she had no time to worry about it. Firstly, she needs to keep Alvin, his son, and Anya away from the Matthews family. Secondly, she should make sure Casper doesn't get to know Zane as Alvin's son until she takes care of the Bastard and his son.