UNDER HIS RULES

Beatrice’s hands were still trembling. She tried her best to rid herself of the turmoil that had yet to leave her heart. How terrible this recent event that had entered her life was. Countless times her intertwined fingers squeezed each other. Sometimes her eyes glanced out the window, seeking solace in the tall pine trees, even if only a little.

“Mr. Alfred will surely get through this critical period,” David said, trying to reassure the girl sitting beside him. Inside the luxurious car owned by the Quassano family, driven by Hugo, they hurried to catch up with the car carrying Alfred.

David himself was quite anxious seeing the condition of the Quassano leader. Before his injured body was whisked away in an ambulance, David was entrusted with a message.

“Please take care of Leora for me, David. You’re the person I trust the most. After that, Sam,” Alfred chuckled. “What else can I do? I realize that his love for Leora is not something to be taken lightly.”

David quickly dismissed the thought. “Sir, you’ll be fine. I’ve contacted the best doctors in the Southern Department, and they’re waiting for you there. They will do their best.”

Alfred just laughed.

“Stay strong for Miss Leora, Sir. I’m sure she would be saddened to know your encounter was so brief.”

David closed his eyes for a moment, trying to erase the memories that still lingered. The gaze of Alfred’s old eyes couldn’t deceive him. His master’s wounds must be severe. No. David couldn’t bear to imagine if Alfred had to leave them all.

“I hope so,” Beatrice said softly. Through the rearview mirror, her eyes unintentionally met Hugo’s dark gaze. The trusted right hand of Sam’s nodded briefly, as if silently saying, “The boss will catch up once his matters are resolved.”

“But, Hugo, is Sam okay?” Beatrice asked, not willing to divert her attention from Hugo.

“Boss Sam is fine. There are still things that need to be taken care of with Ferdi.”

Beatrice nodded in understanding. Thinking of Sam, all she could feel was immense relief. Seeing the tattooed man with a dragon on his chest entering and incapacitating the people who tried to attack him. Punishing Ute, but unfortunately, Beatrice was asked to leave Alfred’s mansion. Beatrice decided to accompany the old man who protected her.

She had to make sure Alfred received the best care. There were many things she wanted to ask Alfred. She hadn’t fully comprehended all the words the old man said before the atmosphere in the mansion turned tense. There were still many things she wanted to know, including her parents.

Meanwhile, Sam observed the blood-soaked dagger in Ute’s hands. Then, he chose to sit in a nearby chair. The room was suddenly in disarray, but Sam didn’t care. His attention was focused on Ute’s writhing in pain. Occasionally, he heard groans and cries of agony from the woman he had known so well.

Well?

Ah… how foolish Sam was. How could she be well when in reality, she had betrayed him in such a way? So neatly. To the point where she had no remorse about her injured and dead subordinates in the headquarters. No, Sam wouldn’t easily forgive Ute. Watching Ute’s slow death was what he was doing now.

He took out one of the cigars from his pocket. Furrowing his brow as he found that there were no cigars left. Only the lighter remained. “Damn it!” Sam muttered.

“Why are you so annoying, Boss?” Without needing special permission, Eland sat next to Sam. He casually placed his sword, still bearing splatters of

blood, on the table. Irritated by the man he respected and revered, Samuel Aaric Cyril, who was now looking at him in surprise.

“Don’t you have any cigars, Eland?”

“Eland quickly reached into his jacket pocket. He took out a box containing Sam’s favorite cigars. Valdo arrived with a bottle of wine from who knows where. No one spoke among them. Some of Sam’s men, along with Alfred, were tidying up the mess. The rest stood not far from their leader, waiting for their next orders.

“I’m sure Ferdi will interrogate you soon, Boss,” Eland said, leaning back. He gently swirled the glass in his hand, causing the water inside to ripple in sync with his glass-playing. “Why did you set them free?”

Eland’s question clearly referred to Sam’s decision regarding the three individuals Eland was eager to eliminate, or at least injure enough to keep them from setting foot in Flown again.

“Someday, I’ll ask for something in return, Eland,” Sam chuckled. He took a strong drag from his cigar and exhaled the thick smoke, filling the room with its scent. “Besides, they won’t be able to live a normal life anymore.”

Eland wanted to laugh, but he couldn’t. He merely glanced briefly at Sam, who appeared relaxed. Then his eyes focused on the woman writhing in pain. Swear words still escaped the battered woman’s mouth. “But I’m not satisfied yet, Boss.”

“They acted unconsciously under Joseph’s control, Eland,” Sam laughed. “If I hadn’t realized it in time, we would have been on the losing side.”

Eland reluctantly agreed. He had released the three individuals he had confronted solely due to Sam’s direct orders. Just a little swing of his sword, and he could have injured them all. In order to comply with whatever Sam said, Eland suppressed his urge for revenge.

“If it weren’t for Sam’s mercy, all of you would be dead by my hand,” Eland said with intimidation. He approached each face, which stared at him with a hint of arrogance, especially Jimmy, who couldn’t bear it any longer and used the sheath of his samurai sword to strike the man’s head. No one dared to raise their weapons to defend themselves, as if what Eland said was their ticket to safety.

They must not cross the line.

“Just once,” Eland said, sharply scrutinizing each of them. “If any of you appear in the Southern Department without permission or cause trouble, I won’t hesitate to bring a swift death upon you.” The sword swung again and was pointed directly at Gerald’s chest. With just a little pressure on the sword’s tip, Gerald would collapse in a pool of blood.

“I know what I have to do, Eland,” Gerald tried to brush the sword away with his hand, getting cut in the process. But he didn’t care. He could heal his wounds anytime, but his freedom depended on the man standing in his way.

“Keep your word, Gerald.”

“Do you want to let that woman live?” Eland asked curiously.

He couldn’t bear to call out the name of the helpless woman. His gaze occasionally sharpened towards her. Eland wanted nothing more than to spit on her, as his rage surged within him. He tried to suppress his dislike for Sam’s recent decision. Surely the leader had his own thoughts, especially the comment about asking for something in return later? Ah… it meant that Sam had already calculated the pros and cons of releasing those three scoundrels.

“Let it be,” Sam resumed smoking his cigar. “Or do you want to play around?”

Eland laughed. “The price for a traitor to the Twin Dragons is death.” Yet he looked at Sam intently. “If I cut him once, he’ll be lifeless instantly. It won’t be exciting, Sam.”

Eland’s statement received a hearty laugh from Sam. “Let’s see together how death approaches the traitor.” Sam concluded his words by taking a sip of wine directly from the bottle. Through the corner of his eye, Sam gave a command to Valdo, who was still standing there. Valdo, along with two others, approached Uti.

Without mercy, with cold and flat expressions, the three of them unleashed kicks, punches, stomps, and anything to further incapacitate the woman. In Sam’s eyes, she deserved her punishment. He harbored no mercy in his heart. After all… Ute’s own plan had no room for compassion.

“Clean up when you’re done,” Sam said, tossing away his remaining cigar. “We still have someone to meet.”

Eland followed Sam’s footsteps, and soon after, Ferdi and his men entered. They faced Sam as he was about to leave the room. Ferdi’s gaze showed curiosity about the commotion in the middle of the room but quickly turned into a questioning look directed at Sam.

“Why did you set Jimmy free?”

Sam grinned. “I’m sure the charges against Jimmy have been dropped.”

Ferdi furrowed his brow even more.

“Instead of chasing after Gerald and Jimmy, it’s better for you to trace all of Joseph Quassano’s footsteps. My informant said he bought a lot of illegal weapons. I’m sure Alfred would prefer to prosecute all of Joseph’s activities. Who knows, you might find someone else to put behind bars.”

“His wife, you mean?”

Sam laughed. He patted Ferdi’s shoulder immediately. “That’s a police matter, not mine.”

“Damn you, Ferdi!” Ferdi exclaimed irritably but then laughed satisfactorily. “I’ll definitely get suspended from the central office for getting involved with the Twin Dragons again.”

“Uh… Eland, there should be news that will cause a stir in the Southern and Northern Departments, right? Besides Alfred suddenly getting treated,” Ferdi added, confused by Sam’s mysterious and cryptic tone. Eland exchanged puzzled looks with Ferdi, equally uncertain about the direction of Sam’s words. Just then, Anne arrived, half-running while carrying her usual work tablet.

“Boss, you have to see this,” she said, handing over the tablet to Sam. Sam briefly glanced at the flat screen Anne had given him, quickly reading the contents. A thin smile formed on his face. “Congratulations, Fer. I’ll be waiting for a box of vodka at the Twin Dragons’ headquarters.”

Ferdi was taken aback. He then took the tablet that Sam had just used and quickly scanned its contents. “Crazy!” he exclaimed, unable to believe it.

“I told you they got away, but your rank got promoted,” Sam patted Ferdi’s shoulder. “So… help my men tidy up this place. And one thing I ask of you, Fer.”

Ferdi returned the tablet to its owner. His eyes immediately focused on his friend, who was walking in a different direction. Despite that, Ferdi greatly valued their friendship. To him, Sam was not just a leader but also a friend who supported each other and knew when to use his power to validate himself, someone not to be underestimated.

“Don’t let there be any news about Alfred. You have much more access to the media. I’ll coordinate with David so that no one speculates too much. The police know best how to deceive the public, right?”

“Damn you!”