His Devious Rule

Anya looked at the small commercial building in front of her. Manpower Staffing - The company, more appropriately to say, the agency started by Linus.

For a middle-class family, it\'s very important for at least a person to earn and provide for the family. Hence they can\'t afford to live their dreams or follow their passion most of the time.

Linus was different. The Collins family had a passive income. Alvin and his family were supporting Linus and his dreams. 

When people looked at him, numerous people admired him. Anya was one of them. She may be kind, and generous at times but she can\'t be selfless like Linus. 

Her priority was always to provide Zane to the best of her capability. Despite marrying Alvin - a self-made billionaire, who could provide them with everything, she couldn\'t think of being selfless but having a career.

Hence a person like Linus is hard to come by. However, Linus made a major change in life due to Krystle. It was a tough choice for him to make without losing the love of his life and his passion.

It hadn\'t been long for him to tune into his new job, Alvin was pushing Linus away from his passion. 

Yes, she agrees Linus could use his high-paying income and his new connections to help people, but it can\'t be the same. 

If not helping Linus in his cause, Anya wanted to make sure he wasn\'t going against his conscience due to Alvin. If she has to convince Alvin or stand against Alvin, she wouldn\'t think twice to do it for Linus and also Krystle. 

Anya reached the reception and asked without bypassing the procedure to meet the head of the company, "Hello, I\'m Anya Owen. I would like to meet Linus Collins. Is he in the office?" 

The busy receptionist took a moment to catch her words and turn to her. She snapped out when she identified Anya, "Er- Mrs. Matthews, Mr. Collins is in his room on the second floor." Then she pointed at the elevator and added, "Take right after you exit the elevator." She flashed a polished smile and got back to work.

"Thank you…" Anya\'s voice trailed when her eyes landed on the wall-mounted, muted television, showing the pictures of Alvin and Casper.

She read the breaking news headlines, \'The new major shareholder of the Matthews Industries.\'

\'Will the illegitimate son lose the company to an outsider?\'

\'Business experts skeptical of Alvin Matthews\'s governance.\'

\'Did Casper Matthews choose the wrong son to succeed him?\'

Anya frowned, reading the questions that were doubting Alvin\'s capabilities. She itched to drag the headline maker and punch him in the face. 

Of course, she knew the man behind the new drama was Casper. Could he let them live in peace?

Why did Casper transfer his Matthews company shares to Alvin?

What is he up to by using the media?

Doesn\'t he hate Alvin?

She shook her head to herself to decline her thoughts. Alvin is his son, a talented businessman. It was inevitable Casper will have to choose one of his sons to succeed him.

Or is it just one of Casper\'s schemes?

Did Casper choose Alvin to rope Liam? 

After all, it is easy to manipulate Liam and the latter had worked hard for the company in the past years.

Argh! Anya silently grimaced at the complex business and rich people\'s world.

She wasn\'t able to understand from the headlines what the anchorwoman and reporter were saying as the channel was on mute. 

She didn\'t know the effects of Casper\'s plan on Alvin\'s plan but she was sure Alvin and Skylark would have to face the consequences in the business field if any of those questionable headlines turned out to be true.

She went towards the elevator as she fetched her mobile and dialed Alvin\'s number fr. She spoke once the call was answered, "Alvin, did you watch the news?" 

Alvin\'s voice was calm against her confused voice which had a hint of anxiety. However there was no hint of emotion when he addressed her, [Little Donut] 

There was a pause before he spoke to her, [Haven\'t I told you?]

"Huh?" Anya hummed in confusion without getting what he was pointing at.

Alvin reminded her in an oh-so calm voice, [Never get edgy if you hear a threat, read an article, or watch the news against me or business.]

Anya recalled the past incident when Casper tried to scare her by invalidating Alvin\'s shares. She completed his words, "Even if you slip somewhere, you will handle it. I got it." 

She breathed out loudly to relax herself but Alvin\'s calmness wasn\'t soothing or indifferent but dark and venomous. Thus she added, "Your tone is making me uneasy." Then she whispered, "Are you going to murder Casper Matthews? Or are you sitting at gunpoint?"

A part of her tried to be a mischief to relax him but she didn\'t rule out the possibility of what she asked.

A smile instantly bloomed when she heard Alvin\'s faint chuckle filled with mirth. [I\'m in a meeting, Little Donut.]

Anya was amused at his patience to answer her call in the emergency. She doesn\'t want to delay their work. "Call me if anything." She truly wished she could be of some help to him.

Alvin hummed in response before he ended the call. 

When Anya reached Linus\'s office, she noticed Krystle listening to somebody with a file in hand. Linus was sitting in an adjacent meeting room with a few men who seemed to be part of the company\'s legal team.

Everyone was busy. Anya waited for more than an hour but they didn\'t notice her and another meeting started. She was pondering whether to wait in the office or meet him in the evening, her mobile rang displaying a name, Captain David

Anya decided to meet the cop. David was tracking the man or an agent who was in contact with Miles. She left the agency answering the call and deciding the place to meet him and check the investigation report.

––––––

In the study room of the Oasis mansion,

Alvin\'s smile vanished as soon he ended the call with Anya. His expression was that of a grim reaper. He wanted to take the life out of the man who was sitting in front of him. 

The man smirked witnessing Alvin\'s change in expression. "President Matthews, Information is power." The deep voice was faintly accented but Alvin didn\'t miss the razor-sharp tone of the man carrying the obvious threat.