His Devious Rule

At Matthews mansion,

After more than ten hours, Secretary Harrison wasn't able to contact the team who were escorting Harper Johnson. He had spent half of the night thinking about the problem they might face if those men were caught.

In the morning, his men visited the Coastal City police agency and obtained the information.

Casper was having breakfast at the dining table with his wife when the loud and quick footsteps grabbed their attention. Gianna ignored the sound and her hand gracefully moved while having her breakfast.

Whereas Casper looked at his secretary who couldn't hold his calm, "Chairman Matthews!?" Harrison breathed hard to catch his held breath.

Casper was aware they hadn't received the update from the Coasta. Looking at his secretary, he guessed things hadn't gone as planned. He left the spoon on the plate, grabbed the napkin, "Who!?" He dabbed on his lips as his expression turned cold and grave.

His guess was Alvin helping Anya Owen.

"Officer Owen." Harrison summarized to a person depending on what those men reported to him.

Although their people didn't see Anya Owen, they were pretty sure that a military speedboat was waiting for them. The whole team of cops was praising officer Owen. Thus Harrison guessed it was her plan.

Casper threw the napkin on the table and leaned back on the chair. He had underestimated the small-town girl. Looks like… Messing with the couple is a call for disaster.

Gianna's actions briefly paused after hearing 'Officer Owen.'

Why couldn't her husband just ignore that Bastard?

Why was he so interested in that Bastard's life?

It infuriates Gianna, however, the elegant smile and graceful actions didn't falter on her face. Anya being an Officer or a cop didn't stop Gianna from having wicked thoughts. She started wondering how to control her or use her to hurt the Bastard, Alvin Matthews.

Casper went to the study room to get the details of the situation, leaving Gianna to complete her breakfast alone, like always.

——————

In the study room,

Secretary Harrison quickly briefed everything he got to know. Casper visibly appeared calm even after a minute of silence, "She let him escape."

Anya purposefully let go of Harper from the prison so that he could try to escape. Now he would be able to get bail or use his head condition as a reason to leave the prison.

Secretary Harrison did not doubt that. As soon as he found complications in her identity, he knew she wasn't just a normal cop. Going against her would invite trouble. Who listens to him? He sighed internally.

"Get anticipatory bail," Casper instructed.

His speedboat and his men were caught. Although he doubted his men uttering his name, Anya might hold a grudge against him and use this chance. So he didn't want to give her a chance to gloat over him.

He will show them who was more the master.

——————

At Secret Court,

The first summons session was in a hall. On the highest elevated platform, there was a chair and a wooden desk for the Chief Justice. In front of the desk, there was a small panel with four chairs on the middle platform. The four members will act as juries. One of the jury members was Jason who was in the center, listening to another jury panel member.

Opposite to the five, there was a long stretched oval desk. One side of the desk was filled with chairs while at the other end, there was only one chair. There were microphones, water, and the name on the desk in front of each person.

The cops and the men who works on orders were outside the hall as their complete presence wasn't required.

Bernard, Linus, and Alvin were outside the room. Bernard was instructing the two, "There is no need to lie. Tell them whatever you know when they ask you anything." He knew well, if they create a lie, they will have to remember the lie which will lead to many lies and loopholes. It will unnecessarily complicate the situation.

"Dad, what if they misunderstand you?" Linus was also worried about his father.

Bernard clenched his fist due to guilt. Probably his son will hate him if he gets to know the truth. He glanced at Alvin who was feigning ignorance.

Alvin's ears perked up listening to the sounds of boots' steps. He tried to control but couldn't stop himself when his eyes went to the woman who was the youngest yet dominating between the men.

This time their eyes met. His eyes were aloof while hers were cold as icebergs. Both didn't avert their eyes until she went close and looked front. She entered the hall while another officer, instructed the three, "Chief Justice is arriving. Please get inside."

Anya didn't mean to ignore Alvin or disrespect Bernard or anybody there. Any kind of action or reaction towards them could put her and them in an unnecessary situation.

Linus exclaimed to Alvin, "Bro, I still couldn't believe Young Mommy is an officer." He lifted his arm and pulled his jacket sleeves up, "Look, I have goosebumps." He spoke in disbelief.

Alvin's lips faintly curled hearing the admiration and surprise in Linus's tone. May be, only Bernard was going to hate Anya Owen.

The three sat down at the chair where their names were mentioned.

Most of the eyes were on Anya Owen who thanked the cops for bringing the files. She sat down with her back straight, looking at nobody.

Harper gritted his teeth, he wanted to curse at her loudly but he could only do it in his mind. Bernard had his eyes on Anya too. Although he will tell the truth to every question, he wondered how much Anya must have dug up about him.

Alvin was adoring the woman while Linus was still in awe looking at her. Kyle Reynolds was remorseful. There were many more who hoped they were just present to answer a question or two.

Jason glanced at Anya and sighed internally. He felt that he should have held back from asking for resignation till her mission wrapped up. It had taken her more than four years to slowly open up and have a simple conversation with others. Now she was back to zero as if everyone present there was judging her character for being a single mother.

"Lord Chief Justice has arrived."

Everyone stood up excluding Alvin and Harper. A cop behind Harper pulled him up by the collar. Alvin was too lazy.

"Bro…!?" Linus knew his brother didn't care about the chief justice. He felt like laughing.

Anya who was looking towards the jury noticed the jury members' eyes at a person. She followed their line of sight which left her unamused. She wasn't surprised, because that was Alvin Matthews. "Mr. Matthews must be feeling weak." She mocked, purposefully.

The jury members shook their heads in resignation. This one officer never misses to leave them surprised and sometimes shocked.

Alvin: "…"

So far, he already understood her behavior of avoiding people. Thus her tone displayed her distant and bold behavior of Officer Owen.

However, he flirted openly in the hall, "Officer Owen, are you asking me out for breakfast?" He indeed needed some energy.

Everyone including Anya: "…"

Alvin smirked seeing her expression change. He even noticed her stiff shoulders relax a bit after hearing him. Yeah, he didnt sound or looked angry or detested her.

'She must have thought I am angry at her, Goofball.' He thought as he stood up for his Little Donut while itching to flick on her forehead. She was doing her duty while his uncle had used them with moral-coated words.

Why will he be angry at her?

Meanwhile, Harper's brows twitched after hearing 'Matthews.' He looked at Alvin who was five members away from him. He squinted his eyes to read the name on the desk.

A.L.V.I.N… Alvin Matthews!? The second son of Casper Matthews?

His eyes widened in disbelief. He recalled Casper mentioning Alvin won't help him. Harper got the reason for it. Because Alvin is with Anya Owen.

Then why does Casper want to kill Anya Owen?

Doesn't he like Anya Owen?

'Or was it a plan to trap me?' It could help Anya Owen to easily deal with him if he is caught. Harper couldn't overrule that suspicion.

'Did Casper alert the cops about my escape too?' Harper gritted his teeth without having a clear answer.

The Chief Justice entered, he signaled everyone to sit as he sat down. Whereas Anya kept standing as she was the only speaker for the day.

She again noticed the jury members' inarticulate gaze on Alvin, so she turned to him. Heat crawled up her face looking at Alvin watching her. She clenched her teeth and glared at the man. She had expected to see hatred in the eyes of Alvin and Linus but the two men were in contrast to her expectation. One was watching her in astonishment while another one was troubling her in a new way.

If she asks or says anything, he would flirt without regard for other people so she glanced at Linus who pulled his brother down to sit.

Meanwhile, Chief Justice feigned ignorance at Alvin's behavior. He spoke when Alvin sat down, "Let's begin."

Anya stepped forward and placed the detailed reports in front of the jury members and passed one copy to the Chief Justice. "Lord Chief Justice, the Secret summons court is regarding the hard disk which contained every data and information collected against the illegal activities of Harper Johnson." Her voice was clear and crisp, resounding in the hall.

She looked at Harper who didn't stand on her signal. The cop behind Harper grabbed his collar and pulled him up to make him stand.

"Harper Johnson is chairman of Johnson…" Anya was continuing when Harper cursed the cop, "You- f**king son of a b*tch, let me go…" He was trying to sit but the cop was pulling him to stand, while asking him to stand.

Cursing there wasn't only disrespectful to Chief Justice, Casper was calling a mother as a b*tch. Everyone noticed the change in Anya's expression excluding Harper.

Anya went up to Harper signaling the cop to back off. Harper snorted and was sitting back on the chair when Anya kicked the chair away.

'Thud.' Harper rolled to the ground, falling on his butt. He groaned in pain.

Linus and one of the jury members cracked up before shutting their lips.

"Young Mommy is so amazing!" Linus exclaimed in a low voice. He had found Anya very much boring but today even her silence was badass.

Alvin's gaze shifted to his brother. He lifted his brows at the man who was admiring his Little Donut a little too much.

Linus almost choked on his spit meeting his deadly eyes. He quickly corrected himself, "Sister-in-law is so cool." He awkwardly grinned watching his brother nod in satisfaction.

Linus: 🤦🏻‍♂️