His Devious Rule



Alvin hadn't liked when Gianna was taunting him with Anya's name five years ago. So he avoided making any remarks about another man's woman. 

Men give up their dream, and pride for the woman they love. So Alvin was oddly expecting Alaric's presence there as a result of Atara Sullivan's appearance in his life.

Thus Alvin gave another chance for the man to speak. After all, there was no harm in networking with one man who had a large network.

Putting his 'Client' to the back of his mind, Alaric got down to the point before Alvin did or said something he wouldn't like. "I want YOUR most loyal man to work for me." His clear crisp voice squarely mentioned the reason behind his appearance. 

Alaric might not have met every influential person in the country but he knew about them. In his situation, he had very limited choice and the most suitable one he found was Alvin who was able to build his empire with a handful of most trusted subordinates around him.

Alaric wasn't asking for help. Hence he added, "I'm open to negotiation." The businessmen like them knew the importance of loyalty over money.

Rob's face darkened. No, he wasn't going to follow this man even if Alaric offered him the CEO position of APEX.

For a moment Alvin thought Alaric needed a bodyguard for his particular 'Client.' Then he read the deep silence. Alaric was running APEX, the security firm that stands top in their field. He shouldn't be lacking a trustable employee or else he wouldn't have achieved what he was.

However, Alvin would never give up his men just to owe a favor from Alaric. Thus he leaned back on his throne line chair, "Elaborate." His cool voice came out like a command.

Alaric was reluctant to speak about his situation but he didn't have time to travel cities to meet others and find a better deal. So he revealed just enough for Alvin to consider.

–––– 

Meanwhile, Anya, who left the Manpower agency, had to get rid of the trail before she headed toward the secret base. 

Anya entered her office to see the four officers leaving all the work aside and going through her security model. Hanging her jacket aside, she cleared her throat for some attention.

Instead of greeting her or asking about her or the mission, Senon tugged her closer to the screen, "Skye, how does this model work? I'm not able to restructure it."

An hour had passed in their discussion when a cold voice thundered in the room, "Officer Owen." 

The five jerked at Jason's voice and stood so innocently as if they weren't aware of Jason's mood. 

Jason couldn't believe they ignored work for so long. His eyes narrowed to the woman who was drastically changed after she got married to the love of her life. It wasn't like he had complaints but she wasn't keeping him in the loop in her mission.

"Did you start your lecture from here?" He sneered.

Anya will be a guest lecturer to create awareness of ethical hacking and data security while alerting major universities of Narnia and different countries.

Against everyone's expectation, Anya's expression changed to that of a dutiful Ace member, "Speaking of lecture, Chief, I need your input on my analysis of the second agent. Are you free for an hour?" It was about the second agent who was working for Miles. The latter hadn't spilled the beans.

The other Team Ace member: "…"

Anya they knew would have shrugged saying they were speaking of enhanced security features. They were mind blown at how mischievously she turned the situation.

Jason was well aware of what she was up to. And he exactly wanted this Anya when she was disconnecting herself from everyone and her true self in the past year. 

He checked his wristwatch and nodded before commanding others, "Get back to work."

Amazed, others got back to work while Anya followed Jason to his office. Even after an hour, Anya and Jason weren't able to draw a conclusion about the second agent. There were three lecturers and placement cell members who tried to convince the students and none seemed to have any connection to Miles.

The only option they had was to interrogate them. Anya couldn't be directly involved in the investigation if in the case the organization was keeping an eye. They couldn't use anybody as it will risk their life if the second agent successfully fools them with a nest of lies.

Jason concluded the status as a lack of evidence. Since the mission time was three years, they had to wait for some time so that one of the lecturers would slip up. 

Anya who was looking at the whiteboard inked with a green, red, and blue marker, hissed brushing her eyes over the pictures. She made a guess, "I don't think the agent is any of these people." But they can't rely on guesstimation.

Jason pushed the whiteboard that went behind the wall. He turned around and met her eyes. He has yet to know where Jackson, the male student, and Miles Johnson are.

Anya almost choked on her spit. The criminal organization doesn't know Anya yet but they have every information about Jackson. So bringing him to the airport was risky when she got to know the organization wanted to annihilate Miles Johnson. Hence, "Alvin's men are bringing Jackson through the waterway. He is safe and sound."

Jason could make out her reason behind the decision. It was better than hiding Jackson in country F for an indefinite time. He could stop from commenting, "Your husband is an annoyance but still helpful." He already knows Alvin followed Miles instead of Anya.

Anya hid her grin hearing Jason cool with Alvin's interference. She didn't comment on the 'Annoyance' remark as Alvin indeed kept himself and her in a questioning position.

And she learned her lesson. Never to fall for her husband's deceptive charms. She grimaced silently at how he had managed to fool her and get her GPS. 

Jason broke her reverie, "Don't tell me your husband tossed Miles Johnson to sharks."

Anya almost wanted to ask how he guessed so accurately. Alvin exactly had that plan as it wouldn't leave out traces. Anyway, Anya uneasily responded because she didn't have a precise response, "Miles Johnson didn't take his fight." She had messaged his secretary to leave the country through Miles's phone. She avoided a bloodbath in the country F. 

Jason was surprised to know Miles could be alive. But he didn't question her when he sensed her uncertainty. 

Anya didn't reveal anything. She didn't want to add ifs and might. So she asked for time, "Give me a week to write a final report on this." 

Jason truly wondered what she had done to Miles Johnson. But he was cent percent sure Miles wasn't with Alvin or his men as it would put them in danger.

It was already a miracle they solved eighty percent of the mission in a month. So he had no complaints about her request. "No issues." He said, stuffing through the files. 

He handed her a black folder. "Take a look when you are free."

Anya collected the file and continued to hear him, "Chief Justice is looking forward to meeting you. Make some time and meet him." After scribbling a signature on a file, he lifted his head to look at her.

Anya wasn't just an admired, powerful officer. The Chief Justice had grown fond of her. He added to keep her updated, "Chief Justice will take a retirement once your mission completes." There was a hint of uneasiness in his voice. Because the next chief justice might not be as supportive and uptight as the current one.

"But…" Anya stopped herself from completing her words. There was still another year in the service. However, the chief justice wasn't a young or middle-aged man. He needs rest rather than the tension and headaches of the country. "I will meet the Chief Justice after working hours."

Anya who was leaving after bidding him, paused at the door and asked, "Chief, have you ever invited Chief Justice home?"

Jason was alarmed. He rejected her unsaid idea immediately, "No. Don't even think of that." His expression was asking, 'Are you crazy?'

However, Anya adorably giggled in response and walked away while Jason growled at her, "Anya Owen." And he watched her run away in the lobby. He grimaced, finding her annoying as her husband.