His Devious Rule

Anya sensed Alvin's arm tighten around her shoulders. So she gently rubbed his back assuming he was recalling bad memories of his childhood.

This place wasn't his happy place. She didn't want him to recall the bad memories. She hoped their small time there could replace all his awful experiences.

Is it too much to wish for? Anya didn't know, she wanted to give it a try, "Let's go." She mused, flashing him a winsome smile.

Rob picked up a few more bags from the car trunk and followed them. Secretary Harrison had to collect the bags from him.

Casper squinted his eyes at Rob and instructed Harrison, riding on the victory against Alvin, "It's a family dinner." So Rob wasn't allowed inside. Casper went inside forgetting Harrison wasn't also his family.

Harrison was kind of relieved to hear that. So he didn't bother going inside. He watched Rob who looked at Alvin and nodded. He didn't know what they communicated. Actually, he didn't care.

After settling the paper bags into Butler's hand, he pulled a cigarette and offered it to Rob who didn't mind accepting it.

After a puff from his smoke, Harrison glanced at silent Rob. He had done some digging on Robertson too.

Rob was a topper from a reputed international business school. Due to his unfortunate choice of company, his seniors pushed the blame on him for their mistake as one has to take responsibility for it.

Rob ended up being charged and sent to prison with millions of debt on his head, owing to the company. He was inexperienced and didn't have any evidence to prove his innocence. His family chose to abandon him as they weren't ready to sacrifice everything.

Alvin was the one who helped Rob file for bankruptcy and brought him out of prison. The first thing Rob did once he got the resources was to ruin that company to bankruptcy. He had bravely accepted it from the media for having his hand in it. Thus his loyalty to Alvin was unquestioned.

Blowing out a cloud of smoke through his mouth, "They are pretending, aren't they?" Harrison asked.

Rob barely glanced at the man. Does it have to be questioned? It was clear as blank paper.

Harrison knew the meaning of silence. He could only pity the people inside but if there is any work, it will be on him.

'Ugh, should I consider resigning? The hell with the high pay and top company of Narnia.' Harrison's thought.

But he couldn't leave, he knew the business secrets of the company, Casper wouldn't let him live a peaceful life if he chose to resign.

The silence was pleasant without Casper. The cold evening wasn't unbearable with a burning cigarette in his hand. Harrison cherished this peaceful time before the double trouble.

Snubbing the cigarette off, Rob asked the question this time. "Any plans to hurt the little master?"

Harrison responded what he knew, "Nope." He also added the obvious, "They would love to keep the little master," without Zane's parents. Just like how they kept Alvin without letting him see his mother or be with the Collins or leave the Matthews. They wanted a puppet to dance on their terms and live like a prisoner.

Rob smirked, wasn't it obvious too? Alvin and Anya wouldn't let that happen. All Rob cared about was unharmed three getting out of the mansion.

….

Inside the mansion,

Zane let the old lady hold his hand after she wore the gloves. He glanced behind at his parents. He flashed a winsome smile at Anya and brought a sweet smile to her face. He knew his mother wouldn't like all these but Chipmunk Monster said this was a faster way to deal with Matthews or else Anya will have to be worried about him for many years.

Seeing nobody welcoming or saying a word to her parents, "Great-grandma, you forgot to invite my Mommy and Daddy." He pretended like he was reminding her. But he didn't want them to ignore her parents.

Casper glanced at Zane and the two. He sensed nothing strange in Zane's behavior. He had seen the three happy and hugging in the lobby of the hotel. So Zane mentioning his parents wasn't surprising. He just proceeded inside and sat on the armchair to continue reviewing his work on the laptop.

How could Cordelia invite the woman who insulted them by throwing coins at them?

And Alvin is still the bastard who was the reason her family name was in jeopardy. If he wasn't born, they wouldn't have seen this day.

Thus her pride didn't let her welcome them. But to satisfy the little guy, she faked a laugh, "Zane, it's their home too. Coming home doesn't need a welcome."

Anya, who had felt bad a few seconds ago, hardened her heart looking at Cordelia. Anya had thought Cordelia would do anything for Zane out of love, but Cordelia's intention was as poisonous as her mind.

She didn't have plans to play in the father and son's game, but a sly smile appeared on her face, "Yes baby, it's our HOME." She stressed the word irritating the old lady and Gianna who was at the stairs.

Anya continued, looking at her son who was a bit surprised, "Do you know? Daddy grew up here. I am sure Great-grandma will have many stories about Daddy."

"…" Cordelia never bothered to spend some time with Alvin or get to know him. How will she know anything?

Zane grinned, grasping that his mother joined their crime. With her support, he could create havoc in the Matthews mansion. "Really!!!?" He wanted to be a real brat.

He went to the living hall and put on a fake surprised face, "The Matthews mansion is so big."

Cordelia's eyes glinted sharply. She had no idea how expansive the Oasis mansion was. So she assumed that the luxury of the mansion attracted Zane more than the petty houses or villas.

"Zane, would you like to stay here with me?" She asked expectantly assuming she will succeed in her plan soon.

Alvin was quick to hold Anya. Today's lead role belongs to Zane. If they play along with him, Casper and Cordelia will doubt both of them. There won't be fun.

Zane became thoughtful for a moment looking at the sophisticated interior of the living hall. Just like the study room of Alvin in the Oasis mansion, there was a wooden tone in the Matthews mansion. Hence the color chosen with it was also dark.

He turned to Cordelia. He couldn't outright reject her so he found a reason, "Great-grandma, I would love to stay with you." He gave very high hopes for the old lady who smiled widely. Nevertheless, he shook his head, looking disappointed, "But the teacher says how we live affects our state of mind."

Cordelia's happiness was dampened with confusion. This little boy speaks maturely of his age. So she waited patiently for him to complete.

"This is suitable for elders. A young boy like me should live in a colorful decor. They are happy colors. Hence kids always love play areas, kids bedrooms, classrooms which are always colorful and fun." He had a point there.

Cordelia nodded in acceptance of his words. She recalled the Nest villa which was cozy and had pop-up colors. Compared to the villa, she found the living hall of the mansion very dark and dull.

Suddenly Zane's smile dropped, "Staying here, I don't want to become like…" He paused and looked at Casper, "Mr. Matthews who shouts at my Daddy." He smoothly taunted Casper without batting an eyelid.

Anya tried her best to avoid laughing. Zane was indeed going to cause havoc if he kept going like this.

Casper: "..."

Cordelia glared at her son for a moment before looking at the interior again. Although it was refined and sophisticated, it wasn't like the places kids liked.

Her main target was to get this little guy to her side, if making some changes will make him happy and stay with her, she was ready to make the changes.

She was about to instruct Casper to change the interior, Gianna hissed from the stairs, "Do you think this is a playground to paint colors here?"

She had chosen interior design. It was elegant and imposing. She wouldn't let Anya or her son change it as they wished.

She muttered under her breath, 'How can we teach classiness to low-borns?'

Gianna was right, Zane wanted to make the splendid interior look like a kids' playground with colors. Seeing the clever but evil woman, Zane pointed at Gianna and looked at Cordelia,

"Great-grandma, who is that lady?" It's time to roast Gianna. "Your caretaker?"

Anya: "..."

Gianna grounded her teeth, she was about to teach that little brat a lesson, Casper appeared out of nowhere and grabbed her arm.

He warned her in a low voice, maintaining his stoic face as Zane's eyes were on them, "Don't you dare open your mouth."

Gianna grimaced in pain but didn't dare to utter a word. To worsen her hatred, her eyes fell on the couple who were standing intimately.

...

Alvin wanted to take his Little Donut away before she faints due to her crafty son. He didn't let Anya speak a word, "Shh… Just watch the show."

Anya pouted at him. How could she just watch when her adorable son was being so sly?

Alvin looked at her jutted lips and her sulking petite face. He tugged her close and popped his eyebrow, "Are you… asking for a kiss?"

His low deep voice made her cheeks burn. Anya couldn't believe he was thinking of kissing when there were people around and Zane was battling alone.

Punching his stomach, she turned around. She noticed Gianna whose blood was probably boiling looking at Alvin being so relaxed with her. Or green in envy because she never had a good relationship with her husband.

Wasn't Gianna getting happy seeing them suffer? It's time for her to struggle.

'Tsk, it's just the beginning, Gianna Sallow.'