His Devious Rule

Earl Lewis, Vice President of Lewis hotels and resorts. The company entered the investment sector when Earl started working.

He was a lean, handsome man. The refined masculine touch on his face and his warm gaze often make people easily comfortable around him. His looks weren't deceiving. He was a friendly and helpful person. If there is any young man who Zane likes and enjoys company with, he is Earl.

Krystle had tried to coax Anya to date Earl and bring them closer however he was and will be a brother to Anya. Though the Lewis parents treated Anya like a daughter, it could jeopardize if they have to accept her as a daughter-in-law, wife of their beloved son when she has a little son of a different man.

People are only good to others if they don't have to handle or accept somebody's complicated life and questionable circumstances. Hence Anya never thought about having any relationship with Earl or anybody else. Her wrong step would affect Zane's life, which she won't risk.

Alvin looked at the gentle smile of the man, directed towards Anya. He saw Anya's no dimples smile. Her smile felt no special as the man.

'Honey attracts more flies.' He concluded his little jealousy.

"What the… Why is he here?" Krystle showed displeasure at her brother's arrival and stood behind Anya, glaring daggers at Alvin.

Earl reached the end of the hallway, "Mr. Matthews, Linus..." Earl greeted the men first. Without waiting for their response, he turned to the ladies. "Annie!? You are here too!!" Earl's fruity voice had the hint of surprise. The worry lines on his face reduced seeing her with his pesky sister.

'Annie!' sounded intimate to Alvin's ears though he has heard it countless times. The way Earl looked at Anya also annoyed him.

How many more people does he have to tolerate for Little Donut? He tried to have some patience.

Anya could also guess the reason behind Earl's presence. So she shot daggers at the man who brought the people to circle him. She apologized to Earl, "I am sorry, Earl. Krystie was worried about me and troubled you."

Earl nodded in understanding, glancing at his sister who was trying to hide behind the slender lady. "I was thinking the same." His sister would be unruly if any guy pissed her off or Anya was in trouble.

'Trouble,' Earl's face hardened and glanced at Alvin who looked annoyed as if the whole world borrowed money from him. Shifting his gaze back to Anya, he saw her wearing comfortable clothes and home slippers, "Why are you here?" He actually meant to ask, 'Are you in trouble?' He was protective of her.

Krystle's eyes glinted sharply. She went towards Earl as she tried to complain against Alvin, "Brrr…"

Anya was quick to cover Krystle's mouth and awkwardly laughed, "I am fine, Earl." She paused and glanced at Alvin, "We are old acquaintances." She flashed a smile at Earl while Krystle was struggling to say something but ended up humming all her words.

'Acquaintance?' Linus looked at his brother with a questioning face. He thought they were good old friends.

Even Alvin didn't like the acquaintance. So his mood continued to worsen. He crossed his arms and questioned, "Are you guys done?" His face had the look, 'Get the f**k out of here,' to the siblings.

Anya breathed. She needs to get the work done. She can't worry about his behavior or correct it. She noticed the good-tempered Earl's expression change too. She didn't want to mess things up with anybody due to her. "Earl…" She took his attention, "Please…" She pointed her chin towards the door as her hands were busy holding Krystle.

Earl melted to her plea faster than the snowflake melting under the sun. "After you…"

Anya took the girl while Earl looked at Alvin. Alvin's friend aka assistant Ean had sent a video to Father Lewis. It was a video of a truck breaking inside the estate and Krystle entering the mansion. Father Lewis was shocked, they couldn't afford to offend Matthews so his father was panicking hence Earl went to bring his sister.

Earl clenched his teeth, he would have apologized to Alvin if it was Krystle's brashness but Krystle certainly did it for Anya so she will have a valid reason.

Linus looked at two men. Why was he feeling like two men disliking each other? Anyway, they really need to act quickly or else Harper would start killing the hostages.

Earl glanced at Linus. He had met Linus numerous times, it was the first time meeting Alvin after many years. Honestly, he didn't want to leave Anya or Krystle around Alvin. This man was known for his coldhearted behavior.

"Mr. Matthews, why is Annie at your place?" He knew Anya wouldn't tell him everything so that he doesn't have to worry about her. She doesn't let others enter her life so easily. Hence he chose to speak with the man.

Alvin wasn't such a gentleman. He lazily spat his sharp words, "None of your business." Krystle had the right to ask because she was Anya's best friend. He didn't feel the necessity to respond to her suitors.

Earl and Alvin glared at each other as if they were in a challenge of who blinks first. Linus sighed internally. What is happening? Didn't they plan to kidnap Anya because she had no support? How did the hothead reach there? Now another hater of Alvin was added to the list.

"Earl…" Anya's voice broke the wordless war between the two men. Earl didn't spare any more glance at the man and went to the two ladies, looking at Anya who was coaxing his sister and spoiling her more.

"I really don't care how he acts. After my work, I will immediately reach you. Alright?"

Krystle unwillingly nodded as she complained, "But he is so cocky."

"I will ignore him," Anya assured her that she wasn't affected by him.

Earl reached them, "Annie, what is going on?" He clearly sounded worried.

Krystle noticed Alvin so she spoke before Anya, "Brother, I will tell you on the way. Let's leave so that she can complete her work soon." Then she added more words, uttering loudly enough to reach Alvin's ears, "Annie will come back to us."

Earl hesitated to leave without knowing what was going on. He looked at Anya who made an adorable pleading face to send him. Before he could say anything, Alvin's deep voice floated in the air, "Little Donut." It sounded like an ultimatum.

Krystle snorted and gave a quick hug to her friend "Take Care, Annie," She tugged her brother.

Unwillingly losing to Anya, "Call me if anything." Earl added as they went out.

Anya just faintly smiled, she wouldn't do it. She had learned to depend on herself and she won't give wrong hope to the Earl.

Earl saw Alvin hold her waving hand and take her away from his sight. "Krystle, why is Annie here?" He sounded displeased

"Blame yourself." She hissed in annoyance and turned to him. "If you had wooed and made her my sister-in-law, she wouldn't have seen this day."

"Krystle." He warned her to answer his question instead of bringing the same thing every time.

Krystle sighed and got in the car. She didn't tell the whole truth to him as she had promised to Anya, She briefed as Early won't leak any information, "Harper Johnson is threatening President Collins to kill the families of cabinet ministers. They are on an international cruise vacation. Anya has a brain and Alvin has power, they are working on it to save them." After completing her words, a cold ran down her spine at the thought of 'a strong couple.' to Anya and Alvin.

'International Cruise,' Earl's grip tightened on the steering wheel when he realized he actually couldn't help Anya like Alvin. The Lewis family's reach wasn't far and wide. He suddenly felt lost to Alvin before the game even started. He clicked his tongue. Lost to Alvin? No, Anya closed the door before Earl could even think of taking the first baby step.

Krystle who was huffing noticed a flashy Lamborghini at the gates. She identified it as Flora Dalton's car. "Oh b*tch..." She tried to cover her face and then realized her brother's car windshields were tinted.

"Bro... do you have Alvin Matthews's number?...." She recalled that the man wasn't in contact with anybody. "Or… That other guy's number? Quick, give me." She tortured her brother.

If Flora sees Anya, she will definitely cause trouble to Anya as Alvin treats Anya differently than the rest. 'Oh god Annie, why did you get into these unnecessary headaches?.' Krystle was annoyed that Anya wasn't letting her stay. She could have helped her get rid of pests.