His Devious Rule

As an influencer turned model, Krystle was proficient in makeup. With the help of a hairstylist and her assistant, she wasted no time and quickly completed her shoot in a summer dress followed by a horse riding outfit.

Linus, who went to the luxurious private room, was getting more anxious thinking about his father. He had two minds. He was angry and also concerned. He feared his grandfather knowing Bernard's actions.

Elder Collins who served all his life in the military was very upright. He only agreed for Bernard to leave the military because Bernard wished to serve the country in different ways. Thus Elder Collins will be furious to know Bernard risked so many lives. He would detest Bernard for becoming a cunning politician.

What's more!? Linus also started to think Alvin might avoid them all as Bernard put Anya in danger purposefully.

He just couldn't understand his father. Wasn't Bernard fond of Anya and her son?

Doesn't one, protect and wish the best for the people they like?

How could Bernard plan to entitle Anya as a criminal for his plans?

If Bernard's plan had succeeded, then if Anya was caught while leaving the country, she could have been sentenced to life imprisonment.

How could his father be so vicious?

Thinking of the ifs, he regretted never mentioning that Anya Owen was the lady who Alvin tried to protect.

Yes, Linus knew it before. Linus started doubting the day he saw her in Bernard's office and heard her full name. He secretly went through her profile and confirmed.

When he realized she had a baby, he hesitated to mention her to Alvin, until he got to know she was unmarried and was seeing nobody.

He thought it would be a surprise for Alvin when he asked for his help with stealing. But things have gone the wrong way. The only good thing is Alvin still liked her regardless of Zane.

A cold ran down his spine when a thought came to his mind. What if he had told Bernard about Anya Owen being the same girl for whom Alvin chose to leave everything behind and struggle his way up?

Bernard was old-fashioned, he doesn't like his son or son-like nephew to look after somebody's child. So Bernard would have tried his best to keep Anya away from Alvin.

With the growing 'ifs' Linus felt suffocated in the closed room. He went out for some fresh air when he noticed people at the horse racecourse. It wasn't vast but good enough for wealthy people to brag about it.

He made his way to the racecourse by walking to clear his mind. The manager of the clubhouse noticed him and greeted him.

Linus nodded at him and watched Krystle carefully riding the horse while smoothly cooperating with the photographer. Although it looked easy on the surface, he could see how tiring it was to repeat some sections without irritating the horse.

By the time the natural light started to dim, the shoot was called off. "That's it for the day. Let's wrap up." The main photographer clapped to get attention as he loudly announced.

Krystle breathed out through her lips as she relaxed her expression. Rubbing the horse at its neck, she was about to get off, when she sensed hands reaching out to her.

A smile naturally appeared on her face when Linus said, "Being discreet isn't cool." She held his shoulders when he held her waist and helped her get off the horse.

The workers at the sight started gossiping about the two seeing them so close. Linus was famous for his NGOs and President Father. So the words won't take long to spread on the lips.

Ignoring the eyes, Krystle grimaced when she left her weight on her feet. She was on a white horse for more than an hour and she wasn't used to it.

Linus supported her to get adjusted, "I didn't expect you to know horse riding." He wouldn't call her good but she was smooth at handling the horse and riding it.

Krystle suddenly grinned, "Annie taught me." She excitedly exclaimed forgetting her pain and boasted about her friend, "She is so good that I tortured her to teach me."

Linus could guess horse riding must be a part of Anya's training so he wasn't surprised. He was curious about another thing, "You are from the capital, graduated in mass media. Ms. Owen is from far and her major is computers. How did you guys even get along?" Not to mention, both of them were from different circles of society.

Krystle knew everyone gets the same doubt.  She was about to respond, "Ms. Lewis…" A hesitant voice interjected.

It was the photographer. He extended his hand when he got her attention, "It was amazing working with you. I didn't expect it to wrap up so soon."

Since she hadn't started as a professional model, people often looked down on her professionalism and doubted her capability until they worked with her.

Krystle shook his hand while her left hand still held Linus to support herself, "The pleasure is mine." Her tone changed to professional.

The man modestly smiled without fawning over her as Linus was standing close to her. "A jewelry brand is looking for a model. I was thinking of suggesting you as their brand ambassador. I hope it's alright with you."

Krystle's eyes brightened. He was a famous photographer who was in demand so she knew the brand of the jewelry won't be any small. There will be fierce competition from celebrities from different fields and she didn't fear it.

It was her work that was being recognized instead of her family name or anything underhand so she was happy to hear the photographer willing to suggest her for a brand.

"I am honored. I will wait for the call." Krystle flashed a beautiful smile.

"I look forward to working with you again." He left with that. The no tantrum and professional models are rare. Krystle wasn't only an influencer with millions of fans, she blends to the shoot theme like the butter melting on a heated pan. So he considered her for the brand.

Linus hid his smile seeing her smoothly handle her work without a manager. After spending time, he found her more pleasing.

"We were dorm-mates." Krystle was back to respond to his question while he helped her to walk, avoiding her to walk like a crippled woman.

Linus was surprised, "You lived in a university dorm?" The princess of the Lewis family always amazed him. She could have lived a tireless, stressless life but she loved challenges and enjoyed her freedom.

Krystle nodded with a hum as she sat in the buggy. Linus sat next to her and her assistant named Lily sat behind them.

Krystle continued, "My parents didn't send me abroad but I wanted to be alone and independent. So I picked dorms first. The mass media and Computer department had the same dorm building."

She smiled recalling the past. "When my parents were nagging me while dropping me off, they instantly got along with Anya who was very organized and too sweet as I am a complete mess and loud. Annie is the best listener, I was a nonstop talker. She was a foodie and I am on salad. We just clicked off." She chuckled recalling the beginning days of her and Anya.

Linus nodded faintly, agreeing with her every word. "Others don't know you guys are best friends." He voiced what he got to know when he was trying to know about Anya.

Krystle hummed as she removed the boots in the moving buggy. "Our schedules were hardly matched. Her department was on the west campus and my department was on the east. Annie always stayed in the library with your arrogant brother so I hardly got time with her until evening. She is too simple, very accommodative so I never brought her with other girls so we always hung out separately."

Truthfully, she hated to bring Anya with other socialite circle friends because they would smile on their faces and laugh and talk behind them. She was also like them but she didn't want Anya to become their topic of entertainment.

Linus deadpanned hearing Alvin as arrogant. "My bro isn't as lousy as you think." He couldn't get why exactly Krystle hated his brother.

"My Annie is simply too sweet."

'Sweet!?' Linus wanted to laugh at that. Ferocious would be appropriate for Anya.

He half shrugged his shoulders, "I see, you don't even know your best friend."

"…" Krystle's assistant looked at two adults who started arguing with each other, boasting about their friend and brother. She had expected some R-rated scenes when she sat behind them.