His Devious Rule

After hearing Alvin, and Secretary Harrison stressing to him that he should take the power, Liam couldn\'t bring himself to ignore it again.

Since a part of him was confused and worried about his mother, he was repeatedly distracted to think of holding the power at the company.

Although he was the CEO, he held no real power. Casper always dealt with crucial things as a chairman because Casper trusted no one but himself. So he wasn\'t sure if he was even capable of handling the company.

And how was he going to get control over the company?

He couldn\'t convince Casper to drop his power. If Casper gets to know he was trying to covet the power, Casper would do anything to stop him.

After witnessing how Casper tried to drive a wedge between him and Alvin, Liam was quite certain Casper would entitle him as a fraud to keep him away from the company.

Secretary Harrison, who checked the news about the company and the viral posts circulating on the internet, immediately reported to Liam who hadn\'t touched his mobile once.

"CEO Matthews, the tax bureau has seized the Matthews Industries and properties..." Before Secretary Harrison could complete his words, Liam\'s eyes widened.

Liam realized the reason behind Casper\'s absence. But he was worried about his wife and baby. "Lillian..." The words faded as Liam rushed out of the court towards his car ignoring the media.

Secretary Harrison: "..."

His lips arced in resignation. When Casper ignored his wife and the court trial for the company, Liam was worried about his wife and baby. He wondered how the sons of Casper, Liam, and Alvin, two different personalities, yet prioritize their wives over everything, in stark contrast to their father.

Well, a secretary has to serve his master so Harrison went to the company. Looking at the news, and the calls he was receiving from the clients, Harrison was flabbergasted looking at the article that said Anya was summoned to the court.

Weren\'t they suffering enough? What was Casper doing by implicating Anya? Garnering more hatred from Alvin?

Although he wasn\'t sure if he could stop Casper from taking any stupid decision, he felt responsible to remind him of the consequences of his actions. He hurriedly alighted the car, and Anya exited the company, holding her mobile.

Meeting his eyes, Anya knew Harrison had something to tell her. So she didn\'t realize Alvin had answered the call when she lowered her hand and slowed down her steps.

No, Harrison had nothing to say. Instead, he bowed his head in apology for the stupidity of his master. No words could solve the mess Casper and Gianna had made so he didn\'t waste her time.

Nevertheless, Anya who was nervous thinking about Alvin, asked her doubt, "Secretary Harrison, is it possible to invalidate the large number of shares bought by a company?" She sounded calm, opposite to how desperately she was to find a solution to the problem.

Harrison was taken aback for a moment before his eyes glinted. A line of worries flashed on his face. Despite hearing Anya mention it generally he deduced Casper was planning to destroy Alvin\'s career and company in no return.

He seriously explained without mentioning Alvin\'s name, "Mrs. Matthews, most of the large conglomerates do have policies that if any company, organization or a person wishes to buy the shares in large amounts that could affect the decision making, they have to get permission or majority acknowledgment from the board members.

Failing to do so before consulting the board members, the shares will be invalidated and the ownership transferred to the company. This policy is used to have control over the company so that any rival company doesn\'t affect the administration overnight."

Harrison explained in a monotonous voice watching Anya trying too hard to look unaffected. He saw her force a faint smile and nod her head saying, "Thank you." Then she rushed away.

Harrison sighed looking at her leave swiftly. He hadn\'t expected Casper to use this policy on Alvin. Won\'t Casper play the family game anymore?

A cold ran down his spine imagining the coming days. Father and son were up for each other\'s destruction and he wasn\'t sure who would survive in the end.

–––––

In the car, Anya picked up the mobile to call Alvin and realized Alvin was on the call the whole time. Without bothering about how long he was on the call or if he heard anything, Anya spoke over the call. "Alvin... Alvin, are you there?"

[Little Donut, come to the office. I am in a meeting right now.] His voice was stoic without a hint of emotions in it.

Anya opened her lips to ignore his words and tell him everything but the call ended. Considering the meeting was important, she slammed on the accelerator and sped towards the Skylark.

....

After about 40 minutes, Anya had no patience to drive to the parking lot so she got out of the car in front of the entrance and tossed the key to the security person, and ran inside.

It might be the first day of the company and she was a new person to everyone but the whole company knew about her as Ean had arranged a dessert party for everyone on behalf of Alvin due to Anya\'s achievements.

Anya had just walked across the security electronic gates, Alvin exited the elevator to take his wife out for lunch. Nevertheless, Anya ran over to Alvin. The aloofness morphed into worry and fear when she stood in front of Alvin and blurted out everything without letting him cut in or say a word.

"Alvin, Casper Matthews is invalidating all the shares you bought. Did you know there is a policy that you should take their permission before the completion of buying a large number of shares?"

Alvin tried to cut in, fixing her hair, "Little Donut..."

Clutching his jacket, Anya continued in a breath, "Before the raid ends, you should meet all the Matthews Industries board members and get the majority approval. You might have to give them money but it\'s better than losing all the money."

Alvin had heard her conversation with Harrison so he guessed what Casper had done in the Matthews Industries. He was glad she didn\'t fall into his ploy but didn\'t expect her to be so anxious and troubled.

His warm palms slid on her cheeks and cupped her cold face that had turned pink. His thumbs gently caressed her cheeks and let her complete whatever she wanted to say.

Anya didn\'t notice how relaxed he was and his lips softly arced watching her worried about him. She continued with a hint of displeasure, "I don\'t know the business or legal process in business. But I can help you gather top-notch legal practitioners from the capital. Let me know if there is anything I could help you with."

When she ended her words, Anya blinked a few times reading his affectionate gaze. Why wasn\'t he worried or taking action immediately?

Her head slightly tilted, feeling clueless about the business processes. Was she tensed for nothing?

She asked in uncertainty, "N-othing as such will h-appen?"

Alvin pursed his lips but the corner of his lips arced up as he subtly nodded. His Little Donut was cute when she worked up which was a rare sight.

Anya sighed deeply as her shoulders dropped. She should have known Alvin and Ean were good in business and they wouldn\'t make such a grave mistake.

She looked at Alvin who was gently caressing her head but she was exhausted as hell after overthinking and worrying so long over it. She was happy that Alvin was cautious but pitied herself for being dumb. Dealing with any complex mission felt easier than handling the back-to-back problems thrown at her little family.

Forgetting they were on the ground open floor of the Skylark which was in pin-drop silence, Anya punched him a few times and sat down on the floor having no energy to think or do anything.

Hearing her voice so placid over the call, Alvin hadn\'t expected such a drastic reaction after watching her every day so calm-headed. He kneeled in front of her and peeked at her face to see her jutted lips. He was expecting her to get angry.

Nevertheless, she tossed on him the next second and wrapped her arms around his neck standing on her knees. "I was so scared." She murmured her confession. She wouldn\'t have been so scared if she knew to solve the situation. "I almost considered taking the blame for money embezzlement."

He couldn\'t believe it was again the same woman who was ready to give up her career for his livelihood. He rubbed her back, fondly saying, "Goofball."

After a few minutes of relaxing in his embrace, Anya wondered how Alvin was solving the issue without reaching the board members. She wanted to ask about it but felt eyes on them.

She turned towards the hall. Her jaws dropped when she saw many employees hiding behind the walls and reception while the security team suddenly looked here and there.

Alvin helped her stand as he heard, "Alvin..." He hummed and she left him baffled by saying, "Your childishness has influenced me." She wasn\'t this careless before, especially in public places.

Alvin:  😑