UNDER HIS RULES

Alfred enjoyed his cigar, the smoke dissipating quickly in the afternoon breeze. The sound of waves kissing the shore accompanied their conversation. The old man didn’t expect the resort he visited to be so luxurious once he entered its premises. It was vast and well-maintained by the owner. He also noticed many of Sam’s subordinates wandering around.

Sam, who had been reading Alfred’s report intently, now handed the file to Hugo. He wanted to know his trusted assistant’s opinion as well. If it confirmed his suspicions, there was no doubt that Alfred’s visit was not merely to deliver the file. Beatrice was accompanying him.

Hugo quickly read through the pages while Sam took out a cigar from his shirt pocket, mirroring Alfred, who was still enjoying his smoke while leaning back in his chair, never taking his eyes off Sam.

“Do you already know what happened, don’t you?” Alfred asked with a thin smile.

“What do you want to hear from me?” Sam laughed. “Shall I say, congratulations, you still have a legitimate Quassano descendant?”

Alfred frowned, but soon laughed as well. “You’re truly outrageous, Sam.”

Sam just grinned. “It won’t change my determination, Old Man.” He exhaled smoke from between his lips.

“Beatrice, ah… my granddaughter, Leora. The blood of Quassano truly flows in her veins. You understand that!” Alfred spoke with a cold gleam in his eyes. His tone was no longer as casual as before. In fact, his remark made David, who was always by Alfred’s side, become wary.

However, Sam never showed fear. His gaze instead belittled the man he was conversing with. “Do you really believe that based solely on this test, Old Man? What about Beatrice, who never knew you existed since she was a child?” He sneered. “Think about that.”

“That’s my business, Sam. What I want now is for you to hand over Leora. She shouldn’t be here.”

Sam’s laughter echoed through the room. It was so loud that it almost pained his stomach. The intensity of his laughter made him feel like this man had gone insane. “What did I just hear?” Sam asked, still unable to stop his outburst. “Taking Beatrice away from here?”

Their gazes locked in a battle where neither was willing to back down. Regardless of whether the truth was indeed true, Sam couldn’t deny that the test results had shocked him. The girl who had been with him recently was no ordinary girl. He never expected this to happen to him.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

He felt that everything he had done, including investigating Beatrice’s past, had turned out completely unexpected. He hadn’t delved deep enough to understand why the woman who died of illness, whom Beatrice called “mother,” could raise a baby that wasn’t her own. He only paid attention and tried to manipulate Beatrice’s irresponsible father into willingly handing over his daughter.

“I’ll do it, even if I have to fight you, Sam. I’ve never been afraid to face you,” Alfred hissed with a displeased glare. “Leora, my granddaughter.”

“Boss!” Eland interrupted as he approached Sam. He didn’t pay much attention to what was happening. The news he brought was important enough for Sam to know immediately.

“What is it?” Sam asked promptly. He noticed Eland and Hugo facing each other. One of them seemed frustrated. What was actually happening? “Eland?” Sam asked, slightly startled.

“Gerald caused a ruckus in Flown. He released Bella, and…”

Sam couldn’t believe his ears. He abruptly stood up from his chair, causing it to topple over. “And

?”

“Jack got shot.”

Sam growled in frustration, his hands clenched tightly, and his anger suddenly peaked. He didn’t care that there was still much to discuss with Alfred. His focus shifted to Flown.

“Call Anne,” he said with a palpable aura of intimidation.

Eland nodded quickly, and Hugo immediately prepared to fulfill his part. If Sam was going to Flown with Eland, then securing this place was the right thing to do. He didn’t want all the subordinates here to follow the ruler’s departure.

“Our business is not finished, Old Man,” said Sam, raising his finger slightly. Although sudden anger filled his head, the issue involving him and Quassano was far from over. He wouldn’t just hand over Beatrice easily based on the file Alfred brought. It wouldn’t be that simple.

“That’s precisely why I’m here, Sam,” Alfred replied.

Sam’s footsteps came to a halt. Eland, who had already been ahead of Sam, also stopped. Hugo, who had put away his phone, stopped as well. The old man, still holding the remnants of his cigar between his fingers, stood up and looked at each of them one by one. There was a long sigh he exhaled, including his face, which was no longer as stern when he looked at Sam.

“I need your help, Sam.”

“Good Lord, Old Man! Do you know what news Eland just told us? It’s Flown! And I won’t let anyone disturb that place!” Sam retorted, annoyed by Alfred’s words. He was impatient to leave the old man behind.

“It’s about Beatrice’s safety.”

Sam closed his eyes tightly and snorted like an angry bull ready to charge. He took a wide step towards the chair he had toppled over earlier. His hands clenched tightly and were placed right in front of Alfred as he spoke with a firm voice. “Don’t ever interfere in my affairs with Beatrice, Old Man. The letters and all the doctors’ analyses you provided mean nothing to me.”

Alfred grinned thinly. He knew what Sam would do with all the evidence that had been presented and examined. The gaze of the Twin Dragon’s ruler was filled with anger and his own concerns. It was as if mentioning Beatrice’s name in their conversation was forbidden.

He used the walking stick that was always by his side as a striking weapon, hitting Sam’s shoulder easily. The blow was hard enough to make Sam groan. It wasn’t just because of the pain but also because he was surprised by Alfred’s sudden move. “You need my support to stay with my granddaughter, Sam!”

Due to Alfred’s actions, Eland drew his sword, pointing it directly at Alfred’s guards, who suddenly drew their weapons. David also aimed his shotgun at Sam because of his earlier behavior. At the same time, Hugo did the same.

Everyone was ready for a showdown and armed conflict.

“What’s going on here?” Beatrice asked in disbelief. In her hands, she held a tray filled with snacks she had purposely made for Sam. Initially, she thought Sam’s business meeting with someone important was over. But now… why was everyone pointing guns? Beatrice was clearly frightened, but what was more alarming was Sam’s dangerous position, according to her. This made her quickly move towards Sam.

“Sam?”

“Who asked you to come out?” Sam glared sharply at Beatrice, who was now near him. “Get inside,” he commanded firmly.

Beatrice refused to listen. Instead, she pushed aside the gun that was aimed at the man without fear. She glared fiercely at the middle-aged man who was now staring at her intently. “You’re incredibly rude.”

Sam waved his hand slightly as a command for Hugo and Eland to lower their weapons. Reluctantly, his trusted men and the surrounding subordinates also lowered their postures. Shortly after, Alfred requested the same from his well-dressed entourage.

“Aren’t you curious about the results I brought?” Alfred asked.

Beatrice fell silent. Her eyes looked at Sam thoughtfully. A moment later, the black-haired girl screamed in surprise as her hand was tightly held and she was forcibly dragged along with Sam’s hurried steps. Seeing Sam’s face, which didn’t want to be questioned further and seemed to be containing his anger, Beatrice immediately shut her mouth. She followed Sam’s hurried steps.

Eland quickly followed his boss, and some of his subordinates joined in.

Leaving Hugo puzzled. He holstered the weapon he still held. “Excuse me,” he said to Alfred, who was still watching the departure of the two individuals.

“That child, really…” Alfred muttered finally. “Hugo,” he called out to the departing trusted aide of Sam, causing him to pause.

“Yes, sir?”

“The boss and his subordinates are just the same; annoying.”

Hugo grinned. “Thank you for the compliment.”

“Do you know what you should do, Hugo?”

Hugo stared intently at Alfred.

“I could easily use those documents against him. It wouldn’t be difficult for Quassano to entrap Sam. But no, I don’t want to endanger Beatrice’s presence here.”

Hugo, who initially had an antagonistic attitude, began to consider what Alfred was saying. “Can you summarize, sir? I have a lot to do.”

“Tell Sam that I’m not concerned about Beatrice being around him. Though it’s difficult, I admit what Sam does for her can better protect her than being in my mansion.”

Hugo looked surprised by Alfred’s recent statement. He thought there would be a heated argument where Sam wouldn’t easily let go of Beatrice. Although Hugo had to admit, going against Quassano was a huge gamble. “Are you… sure?”

Alfred grinned. “Certainly not.” He then stood up with the help of his cane. “But seeing the two of them earlier, I’m confident that Sam won’t stay quiet if something happens to my granddaughter, Hugo. Isn’t that right?”

Hugo nodded confidently. Even without Sam’s orders, everyone in this resort knew what to do if there was a threat, especially to Beatrice’s safety.

“But I’ll assign my two trusted men here.”

Hugo frowned. “The boss won’t agree.”

“The choice is up to Sam then. Either I separate the two of them or accept two people who will remain by Beatrice’s side.”