His Devious Rule

The tension in the hospital when Liam brought Casper wasn't fake. Casper did go through many tests to find the cause of his concussion and to eliminate the possibility of strokes or other health issues.

Although doctors assured Casper that he just needs proper rest and food for his body, Casper didn't take his health lightly. However, he chose to fake his heart attack so that if Anya manages to hold onto something against him, he could make use of medical records.

Did he have another choice?

No. Anya was like a monster in her field. One needs to fear her to stand against her. So he had to focus on saving himself first.

He was definitely not a fool. Thus he knew the trouble he pulled on himself. Trying to save himself from the laws, he gave an open chance for Alvin to use his health against him.

If he makes his medical situation uncomplicated, Anya will put him behind bars. If he makes his health condition sound worse, Alvin will toy with the company.

He can't give up on any of it. But he created a situation where he has to make the choice.

There was long and pin-drop silence in the VIP medical ward. Casper thought of every possibility and his move against Alvin. Unfortunately, he had only limited options.

He could stop the shareholders from attending the meeting. Alvin will fail to get the majority. But Alvin could sell his shares to foreign capitalists. That was risky.

Now that he was pretending to be a patient, he didn't have the luxury to leave the hospital and convince the shareholders in his favor.

He could have skipped the meeting but Alvin will use his health as a reason and get rid of him from the company. After all, the shareholders cared about their money and profits in the end.

Casper couldn't take the chance of losing everything. So only one plan fused with his situation without revealing his hospitalization.

That is, giving up on his powers and pushing Liam to take the lead.

How long could Alvin keep his eyes on them instead of Skylark?

Making Liam the face, Casper could handle the company and take over his power when Alvin will be busy with his work.

He overlooked the fact that Alvin might change his plan.

Casper was also annoyed to hear Alvin didn't care to return yet and Anya wasn't any different in the situation. He scoffed thinking the couple was no different than him, yet Anya pretends to be an ideal woman with principles.

Who was going to tell him that Anya cared about the four dead strangers rather than the man who was faking a heart attack?

Once Casper verified his plan, he instructed the butler, "Get Secretary Harrison." He will have to continue his act for the medical report so Harrison has to take the lead in the meeting and keep the shareholders under control and in favor of Liam.

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At Matthews Mansion,

Lilian learned about Casper's health without knowing it was fake. She couldn't help but sigh. Honestly, she didn't like how the Matthews family was when she married into the family.

Casper never cared about the family. Gianna and Liam were hardly having a healthy loving conversation. Yet the trio pretended to be the best for the outsiders. Nobody ever spoke about another son of the family.

She did fear how Liam might treat her. Fortunately, Liam wasn't like Casper. Hence she was able to live in the mansion where individuals lodged in the night rather than living like a family.

She wasn't quite sure how she was feeling about their situation because she didn't have any attachment to Gianna, Casper, or Cordelia. Nevertheless, she focused on Liam who was weary and worried.

"Don't stress out, Liam. Dad will recover soon." If not anything, Casper had a healthy lifestyle and was strong enough to quickly stand on his feet.

Liam shook his head. That wasn't his worry. "I shouldn't have gotten angry at Alvin." He let out a deep sigh. He slouched on the couch and rested his head.

His silent drive back to the mansion was long enough for him to clear his mind and figure himself out. He perceived that he was overwhelmed by everything happening around them.

He wasn't able to absorb and accept his mother's situation, Damon Matthews appeared at the company and Cordelia was hospitalized.

He couldn't help Cordelia, he didn't know how to save his mother. So he could only try to save the company from Damon Matthews.

Thus he jumped into the race with huge baggage that wasn't allowing him to breathe. He sacrificed his freedom and tried to make peace between his father and brother.

When he couldn't solve even one problem, how could he sit in the highest position of the company?

Wasn't he overestimating himself?

When he was hopeless, how could he blame Alvin?

Will he get tensed about a stranger and their poor health?

No. He might sympathize with them but never go out of his way to help them.

Whereas Casper was worse than a stranger to Anya and Alvin. They had been through a lot to give a f*ck about Casper.

How could he expect them to worry about Casper?

Doesn't he know his father?

Casper might be lying lifeless and weak on the hospital bed; but as soon as he gets well, he will again start his rule over everyone.

Liam didn't regret going to Alvin. He regretted getting angry at Alvin when the latter became a bad boy to push him to power.

Lilian sighed when Liam dozed off on the couch. Covering him with a comforter, she gently rubbed between his brows.

Liam was emotionally attached to the family, and to his parents. It was undoubtedly shocking for Liam when Gianna was imprisoned, Cordelia was hospitalized and Casper had a heart attack.

He was in denial, without accepting the circumstances. Helplessness grew into anger. It led him to dejection upon realization of his actions.

Sometimes she wondered how Liam became such a soft-hearted person living with his parents. Getting angry at loved ones was inevitable in some situations. Lilian selfishly wished for Alvin to understand Liam and hoped for Liam to pick himself up soon.

â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"

In country A,

It was eight in the evening when Alvin completed the urgent work and exited the study room of the hotel. Rob, who had packed the laptop and files paused behind him.

The mother and son were asleep on the daybed of the hotel suite. After the tiresome work, it was soothing to watch the mother sleeping with a smile, enveloping her child in her warm embrace.

Rob filled up with Alvin, "Young Madam and little Master had been to the arcade and play arena of the hotel." He passed his mobile to Alvin.

Mark was there to keep an eye on their safety but he was consumed by how the two were enjoying themselves. He sent pictures to his boss to make him happy.

There were pictures of Anya and Zane trying every game. Alvin was glad they didn't bore themselves and enjoyed their day. "We will leave in the morning." He changed their plan unwilling to disturb their sleep.

He paused for a moment and instructed Rob, "Arrange the video conference with those two in an hour." Rob responded and left the suite.

Sitting on the edge of the daybed, his fingers grazed over Anya's soft cheek and earned a faint smile.  He wasn't sure if she woke up or was half asleep. "Did you eat?" He asked in a gentle voice.

Just then there were knocks on the door. Rob opened the door using the keycard he had and a restaurant waiter pushed a trolley inside. The waiter arranged the dining table while Rob handed a handwritten letter to Alvin.

[Chipmunk Monster, we had dinner. Mommy ordered food for you and Uncle Rob. Eat first, work later. Don't make Mommy worry.

- My Mommy's Baby.]

Alvin could imagine the smug face of Zane while writing the last three words. He pulled his hand away when he reached to pinch the chubby cheek. Little brat will cry and complain to Anya.

Controlling himself from shifting the two to the bedroom, which would disturb their sleep, Alvin and Rob had dinner in utter silence and started to work remotely â€" To have the majority shareholders under their control.