His Devious Rule

Witnessing Alvin cutting steak for Anya and keep staring at her, Dennis could bet Anya wasn't just an old friend or acquaintance to Alvin. He had the urge to question Anya later, but he decided not to.

Although he always hoped for her to have somebody to love her, take care of her, Zane was an inevitable part of her life. So he was sure his daughter would prioritize her son before taking any step.

The dinner was finally completed in a strange silence. Dennis and Alvin were satisfied looking at Anya eating well. Meanwhile, Anya noticed her parents liked the wine. She decided to check with the butler or housekeeper about the wine.

Alvin spoke when the four stood up, "Uncle Bernard is here to speak with us."

Bernard: "…"

Anya: "…"

Why did she feel like Alvin wanted to speak to Bernard in front of her?

She sent her parents and son and sat down. The table was quickly cleaned up before Bernard started.

"How did you two arrange for the rescue operation?" Bernard expected them to contact him but everything was completed without coming to his notice prior. He was perplexed how they were capable of handling it.

Mr. Wright had also contacted him and informed him that it was Alvin and Anya who managed to stop the disaster. However, the two had vanished from the ship so Mr. Wright wasn't aware where the two went.

Anya crossed her arms and watched Bernard, his responses, his reaction, and the way he spoke.

Alvin lied to Bernard, "We contacted the military."

Anya glanced at Alvin who was hiding her identity from Bernard by lying. Her eyes immediately shifted to Bernard who clenched his teeth.

Anya: "…"

Shouldn't Bernard be happy about the smoothly completed rescue operation?

Why does he look unhappy and livid?

Unaware about the scrutinizing gaze, Bernard questioned, "Alright, where is the hard disk?" He added. "I need it to hold the press conference."

Anya chose to stay silent. She won't let Bernard hold the press conference until she finds out his motive on or by Saturday.

Linus wanted to say the hard disk has nothing and the information on the hard disk might be with Anya. However, more than the destruction of Harper Johnson, he cared about Alvin, Anya, and their relationship. Hence he turned to Alvin.

Alvin had to respond again because Anya wasn't going to give the information, "The hard disk we stole has nothing in it." It was the truth.

Suddenly Bernard's expression turned ugly. If the hard disk wasn't with Harper Johnson and the stolen hard disk doesn't have the information, then who will have the information?

His eyes turned sharp when his gaze shifted to Anya. "Anya, what happened to the hard disk content?"

Anya lied without batting an eyelid, "I don't know." It was just to provoke Bernard and it worked.

Bernard's voice turned stern and the frowns deeper in his face, "Then you will be under investigation. You will be suspended from work."

Anya's lips arced smoothly at the threat as she leaned back on the chair.

Does she look like a weakling?

Perhaps her simple background looks like it.

"Sure." She accepted easily.

Alvin, who was about to say something to Bernard, turned to Anya. The latter's smile had no mirth, her eyes looked like ice balls.

Bernard was taken aback by the response and the change in her behavior. The innocent-looking, distant Anya Owen was challenging him.

Anya added while inspecting her nails, "Then be ready to send your son and nephew to the prison." Because she will give a complete statement on what happened.

Threatening her?

Unless it doesn't involve her son and parents' life, it was hard to waver her.

She lifted her head and smiled again. "Then you will be one who will be in trouble, President Collins." If Bernard has to keep his skin safe, he will have to keep her whereabouts a secret. Meanwhile, she will deal with Harper and dig for Bernard's information.

Linus was confused at the developments. He understood where she was coming from so he cut in to understand the situation, "Ms. Owen, we didn't find anything on the hard disk. Did you copy it somewhere?"

Anya turned to Linus. Considering his reaction, Anya concluded that Linus probably has no idea about his father's aim.

She lied, "Hard disk doesn't have anything? It's the one your father gave me."

Alvin: "…"

He suddenly pitied his cousin. He couldn't ask Linus to go and rest so he sat silently, letting her use Bernard as her protection. She was witty.

Linus was even more confused. "Did something happen without our awareness?" He didn't doubt Anya.

Anya's eyes glinted sharply. She was on a tight schedule so she didn't mind getting a hand. She sat straight and briefed, "That day… A little girl knocked on the car window. I thought she was selling roses but she gave me all the roses and ran away without taking any money.

So I had to park the car to find her. Probably something happened there. Yeah, those roses were sprayed with chloroform."

Bernard furrowed hearing it. He had told her to be very casual but didn't expect her to leave the hard disk in the car at a public parking area.

Bernard was about to chide her when Linus stood up and faced Bernard, "I will look into it right away." He quickly ran out of the dining area.

Anya tried her best to sit expressionlessly. 'One less work.' She thought.

Alvin: "…"

Why didn't he know his Little Donut was so cunning too?

Anya looked at Bernard and questioned him, "President Bernard, I have confusion. If you wanted to get the hard disk, why didn't you keep it? Why did you give it to me?"

Bernard became wary of the question. He carefully responded, "Anya, you know the reason."

Moles.

Anya nodded, "Then why did you send your son and nephew to steal it from me?"

Alvin pursed his lips. Bernard didn't even have the idea Anya was interrogating him and recording their voices.

Bernard clenched his fist hearing her questions. He wanted to leave but he tried to manage to avoid any suspicions, "We needed to put on act as information is stolen so that Harper brings the cruise ship back."

Anya dug the grave deeper for the next question, "According to Mr. Wright, you knew about the PSR ship before it left the country. Then why did you announce the press conference? You could have waited for their return."

Bernard lost it there. His voice raised at her, "Anya Owen, what are you trying to say?"

Anya innocently shook her head, "President Collins, my life is in danger because of you. I am the most wanted criminal in the country right now. My parents are being harassed. My son has been crying. Am I not even allowed to know why all these are happening with me? Shouldn't I be the one to get angry at you?"

Alvin: "…"

Although she was a victim of the situation, she was also a mastermind who was controlling everyone. He couldn't believe she could play the victim card so well.

Bernard was tongue-tied. He glanced at Alvin who was admiring the woman. He gritted his teeth and put forward his past plan, "I am sorry Anya. I didn't expect all these to happen… Hmm…Why don't you, Zane and your parents shift to a safe location? I will solve the situation and bring you all back."

Alvin's face turned dark as stormy clouds. They have already spoken about this, he couldn't believe Bernard was still thinking to pin her the criminal title by sending her away.

He retorted immediately, "I am not sending them anywhere." His voice was cold and sharp.

Anya glanced at Alvin who was probably itching to throw Bernard out of the mansion. Her fingers curled around her mobile. She had thought she might bring distance between the Matthews family and Alvin. Looks like she was separating Alvin from the Collins family too.

She kicked him under the table again. She almost gasped when his deadly gaze shifted to her. She asked in a low voice, "Let me speak."

Alvin stared at her pleading eyes for a few seconds before he clenched his teeth and looked away.

Anya breathed out slowly while Bernard was annoyed with Alvin's behavior. "President Collins, I am not running away anywhere."

Scapegoat? She wasn't foolish to follow Bernard's words.

Bernard would have continued to convince her if Alvin wasn't there so he didn't carry forward the topic. Nevertheless, he didn't get a chance to change the topic as Anya continued her questionnaire.

She didn't ask the question Bernard evaded. She was sure he wouldn't answer it. "How is interrogation going on with Kyle Reynolds? Is he a mole?" If they have any proof, another task will be reduced for her.

Bernard shook his head with a sigh. If Kyle had opened his mouth, a lot of things would have become easier for him. "He didn't say anything." And they didn't find any evidence against him.

Looks like she has a lot of work to do, "I want to meet Kyle Reynolds." She stated her requirement as Kyle was under direct custody of President Collins. She didn't want to use her identity against Bernard yet.

Bernard didn't understand why she was digging up instead of silently waiting for them to solve. He asked directly, "Why?"

Anya couldn't say the reason to Bernard so she quickly found an excuse, "He might tell the truth if I ask him."

Bernard recalled Kyle's interest in Anya. Then why did he put Anya in danger?

Alvin: "…"

He watched Bernard seriously considering her words. 'Why will that man tell the truth to Little Donut?'

Bernard suggested hiding his motive behind the calm voice, "I can't bring him out, you will have to surrender and then convince Kyle to tell the truth." He made it sound like everything will be solved afterward.

He was using a stone to kill two birds. Getting Anya out of Alvin's clutch and getting the truth out of Kyle. Once she surrenders, he could lie and keep Alvin away. Then he will manipulate her statement as she is lying without proof.