UNDER HIS RULES

As soon as he got out of the car, Sam hurriedly entered the resort. As he entered his own resort premises, there were already many black sedans with Northern Region license plates lined up; Alfred’s residence.

Don’t ask how frustrated Sam was with Alfred’s interruption at the headquarters. Eland couldn’t lie when reporting the situation, especially when it concerned his interests at the headquarters. Moreover, it also involved the safety of all his subordinates. His fists clenched tightly, ready to strike Alfred. No matter what had happened between them.

“Boss,” Valdo greeted as soon as he learned of Sam’s arrival. Several other subordinates also approached, including Anne who approached Beatrice.

“Where’s Hugo?”

“Accompanying Mr. Alfred.”

Sam scanned the surroundings. Many of Alfred’s men were on guard around the resort. Fully armed. Unlike Sam’s subordinates, who were relaxed but on high alert. Ready to defend themselves. In terms of numbers, they could still escape from this frustrating situation. His subordinates were trapped on two fronts. The headquarters and the resort.

What does Alfred really want? Where did this obsession with Beatrice come from? Although he didn’t know the details of who Leora Quassano was, he had heard rumors that the last descendant of the Quassano family had died in an accident that befell the sole heir of the Quassano business empire decades ago.

“Anne,” Sam called out to the figure that was approaching him. Along with Beatrice, of course.

Don’t ask how Beatrice is feeling right now. One thing is certain, she is very confused and seems scared because Sam is no longer as relaxed as usual. Driving the car felt like evading the police chase.

“Yes, Boss.”

“Take Beatrice inside through the side entrance. Meet Uti. And you, Valdo,” Sam immediately pointed at Valdo. “Make sure Beatrice is safe while I talk to Alfred. If anything happens, get out of here immediately.”

Valdo and Anne exchanged glances, as if they understood what they needed to do. “Okay, Boss,” they said in unison.

“Come on, Beatrice,” Anne beckoned, taking Beatrice’s hand and asking her to follow. Unfortunately, both Anne and Sam forgot that Beatrice could be very stubborn.

“No.” Beatrice slightly pushed Anne’s hand away. She smiled faintly to show her appreciation for what Anne was doing for her. “I’m not going anywhere other than by Sam’s side.”

Sam’s jaw tightened in frustration. “Don’t argue!”

“Who does that person want to meet?” Beatrice raised her head slightly. Although her legs trembled as she approached, because Sam suddenly became a terrifying figure. His gaze turned red, his lips trembled with anger, not to mention his breathing that rumbled as he restrained his emotions ready to burst out.

“Listen to me, you,” Sam growled in frustration. “Your safety is the top priority. Understand?!”

Sam’s voice was more than just a shout. Its tone was much higher than before. His gaze made Anne and Valdo cower in fear. They dared not look at Sam anymore, but it was different with Beatrice.

She had made up her mind that as long as she was by Sam’s side, no matter what bad things happened, even if they threatened her, it didn’t matter. She was not afraid at all. She would rather face it together.

Every second she spent without news of Sam was torture for her. She couldn’t bear to be in that kind of situation again.

Although she felt nervous because of the figure of Sam in front of her, not the Sam she had been with for the past few days. The real

Sam; cold, firm, rigid, angry, and not allowing his opponents to squirm under his feet. Beatrice still approached and reached out her hand. Touching his face, which although not smooth on the surface, had a few scars that were probably due to his frequent injuries. But truly, Beatrice couldn’t turn away from him.

Sam, for her, was too strong to reject. Especially after spending time together for the past few days. At least Beatrice knew, to some extent, that Sam was not as cruel as she had imagined.

“I’m always safe by your side, right?” Her hand was already touching Sam’s face. To which he responded by closing his eyes, as if his calmness came from the palm of her hand. He slowly enclosed her hand with his palm. Touching each other there.

“Yes. You’re safe with me,” Sam whispered as he slightly lowered his head. Their foreheads touched. Feeling Beatrice’s breath around his face. And sniffing a bit more greedily the scent of Beatrice’s perfume that he now loved. “But never leave my side, no matter what happens.”

A smile appeared on Beatrice’s face. For Sam, when he opened his eyes and saw such a charming smile, he wanted to devour it until there was nothing left. But he remembered that there was still something he had to deal with. That damn Alfred Quassano!

“Let’s go,” Sam said while holding Beatrice’s hand tightly, not planning to let go easily.

Meanwhile, Anne and Valdo looked confused by the situation that had just happened. Both of them agreed that Sam was the type of boss who would not hesitate to curse and dislike too many objections from the people around him. But earlier, witnessed by their own eyes, they saw the ruler bowing to a girl whom Anne acknowledged as brave. And for Valdo, Beatrice’s presence by Sam’s side was appropriate. For some reason, in Valdo’s eyes, Beatrice was much more genuine than any woman who had been by Sam’s side. Especially Bella, whose whereabouts were unknown.

“Sam has truly chosen the people who are by his side, hasn’t he?” Anne said firmly. “So no one should doubt my words about the protection we need to provide for Beatrice.”

Valdo chuckled. “Let’s go to our respective positions. Don’t forget, Hugo asked you to contact Ferdi until you’re connected.”

Anne just gave a thumbs-up and chose to quickly walk towards the room where she worked. Not paying too much attention to the many Alfred personnel who were watching. To her, they were all like guard dogs protecting their master while he played inside.

When she met Alfred earlier, the old man only asked about Ute’s whereabouts. Anne didn’t want to tell him, but it seemed that the man had something he wanted to discuss with Ute. She chose to be near Ute during the conversation, which she considered trivial.

What? Asking for news?

That’s just ridiculous!

Anne was puzzled by Alfred’s recent question. After that, she entered the room and met Hugo. So… meeting Ute just to ask for news? How ridiculous!

Beatrice was half running, struggling to keep up with Sam’s large strides. But she wouldn’t complain. Occasionally, she smiled faintly in response to the greetings from Sam’s subordinates.

The large door of the room, guarded by two of Valdo’s subordinates, was wide open. Both nodded briefly as Sam entered the room, where Hugo and Alfred were already present.

“So, you finally came,” Alfred greeted with a chuckle. He temporarily set aside his cigar. “I’ve been waiting for an hour; I think that’s a fair price.”

“What do you want?” Sam clenched his jaw. His gaze was sharp as he stared at Alfred, who seemed unusually relaxed. As if he owned the place.

“You’re so stiff,” Alfred laughed. “Just sit down.”

“You’re the guest, but you act like you own the place.”

Alfred continued to laugh. “I just realized that you’re someone who is rigid in relationships. Used to going through Hugo or Eland when dealing with the Twin Dragons, I only now know what your true attitude is like.”

Sam sat down, making himself comfortable. He wouldn’t let Beatrice stand there without protection. Hugo immediately stood up and positioned himself slightly behind Beatrice. Although Beatrice didn’t understand why Hugo had to do that, she chose to remain silent.

“Your father was a ruler, but not as rigid as you, Sam.”

Sam sighed. One thing that made him reluctant to have dealings with Alfred was that the old man always brought up his father, who had long passed away. Didn’t Alfred understand how much Sam missed his parents? The cruelty of the dark world and the weight of the responsibilities on his shoulders made Sam set aside his longing. It also made him despise anyone who asked about his heart.

Especially when it came to his parents.

Until this moment, he believed that either Alfred or Gerald was behind the death of the person he loved. Unfortunately, Sam’s logic had to continue even though he had been investigating the cause of his parents’ death. Although it could be said that it was a futile endeavor.

Sam couldn’t find the answers.

“What is it, Mr. Alfred, the disturber?” Sam asked, clenching his jaw. His eyes narrowed sharply as he stared at Alfred, who had shifted his gaze to the girl on Sam’s right side. Where Hugo was protecting her. David had provided information that Beatrice had never been far from Sam’s side in recent months. That’s how Beatrice got involved with Sam.

Alfred’s confidant had already met the man who had sold Beatrice to Sam so easily just to settle a debt. But Alfred didn’t want to prolong the matter. He just wanted to give the man a fitting response for his disgusting behavior as a father. He already had all the information about Beatrice’s childhood and her growth into adulthood. It had kept him from getting a good night’s sleep for some time now. Alfred didn’t expect how difficult Beatrice’s life had been all this time.

When Beatrice entered this living room, his conviction grew stronger. He couldn’t possibly forget the resemblance of his son’s face clearly reflected in Beatrice’s face. Not to mention her serene gaze that radiated a warmth like that of a beloved daughter-in-law. No, Alfred wasn’t that old to forget the two of them, including Beatrice, who had a perfect blend of both her parents’ features.

“What is your business?” Sam leaned back on the sofa, taking a puff from his cigar. He accepted the lighter handed to him by Hugo.

“It’s a personal matter.”

“Her personal matter,” Sam took a strong drag of the cigar in his mouth. He exhaled the smoke, filling the room with a thin haze from the cigar. “It’s in my hands.”

Alfred chuckled. “Beatrice has her own life, Sam. You’re not her God.”

Sam laughed. “How can Alfred, the ruler of the underworld known for his cruelty and mercilessness, talk about God here?”

The old man sighed softly. “Just five minutes. No more than that, Sam.”

“After what you did to me?” Sam straightened his back. “Disturbing our pleasant vacation and holding my subordinate’s hostage?”

“I had to do that just to meet Beatrice.”

“What do you want?” Sam stared intensely at Alfred. “Don’t beat around the bush, Old Man!”

“I need to make sure Beatrice is a Quassano descendant.”

Sam burst into laughter. “Where does your long-dead grandson Beatrice come from?” Sam exhaled another puff of cigar smoke. “Think logically, Mr. Alfred. We both suffered a loss, but you were able to get through it because of your mature age. But what about me? I’ve suppressed the thought that they might still be alive somewhere, enduring and surviving. And now they come into my life in good health.”

Alfred ignored Sam’s previous statement. “What if I tell you a story that you don’t know, Sam?”

Sam chose to keep staring at Alfred, his gaze still sharp.

“A story where you don’t know the true background of Beatrice.”