His Devious Rule

Anya let her husband take her upstairs as she hadn't showered yet and she was also curious about his plan. "I heard you want Linus to head the Matthews Industries. Won't you miss his joyful high spirits?" She broke the silence seeing him grave and silent.

Alvin halted on the stairs and turned behind. He perceived Linus's jolly personality was well known to his wife that she never got a glimpse of Linus at work. He didn't think Linus would change much even if he became the CEO.

"Little Donut, do you want me to lead two companies and miss having dinner with you every day?" His nonchalant voice heavied in seriousness as if it was a question of life and death.

Zane found his father shameless to ask that question. The response was obvious. He went back to his room to do some of his schoolwork before shopping.

Anya didn't mean to say Alvin should take over the Matthews Industries. Hearing his question, she blinked softly and pursed her lips. She will sacrifice his luxurious life but the little things.

She wouldn't mind if he misses dinner rarely. If he does it every day, she was going to kick him out of the house. Keeping her thoughts to herself, she shook her head in response and challenged him, "I dare you." She put on a grumpy pout.

Satisfied with the response, Alvin tugged her to their bedroom. He never wished for heading the Matthews Industries. Instead, he was ready to let Rob head the company and he will romance his wife.

Anya tried to read the seriousness of the man but failed. She waited for him to say something while watching him get rid of his blazer and belt. He unbuttoned his sleeves.

She expected him to unbutton the shirt so her eyes eagerly waited to feast on his firm, toned muscles but Alvin wrapped his arm around her waist, and lay on the bed, with her.

"I need a nap." His deep relaxed voice sounded above her head, as his body relaxed, wrapping her in his embrace. He groaned in satisfaction.

Anya: "…"

Casper would go crazy if he gets to know Alvin was sleeping. Snuggling up on him, Anya watched him silently. She didn't want to pry into his plan or business. But her curiosity was killing her.

Alvin did like the attention. Nevertheless, if he doesn't speak any sooner, he could imagine the wild cat scratching him with her paws and biting him with her claws.

His lazy voice sounded, "I am asking for a fifty percent share in everything, Little Donut." His wife was smart enough to read between his words.

Anya burst into laughter. Alvin was misusing Casper's misunderstanding. Neither Alvin, nor she wished to have anything the Matthews family owned. Casper misinterpreted as they were pretending to be disinterested in the assets because of her words in the hospital ward.

She had thought Casper was smart but clearly, he was a fool. He was paranoid and panicked by Alvin's confidence. He doubted himself and trusted Alvin's abilities. It led Casper to go out of his way to distract Alvin across the country.

He got caught. The fear led him to act in the hospital. Thus he lost the chance over managing the company or fighting Alvin and gave the perfect opportunity for Alvin to deal with him.

Since Alvin chose her way of dealing, she will pull all the strings to make sure Casper spends the rest of his life behind the bars, may it be in country A or Narnia.

Before that, her husband needs to relax. She flipped him on the bed and sat on his back.

Alvin enjoyed the little pecks on his face and her fingers skillfully kneading his muscles, slowly relieving tension from his shoulders and back. He didn't even realize when he drifted to sleep.

–––––

Meantime at the hospital,

Casper was annoyed with the constant beeps of the multiple machines. He didn't have his mobile, the butler wasn't allowed inside. Whenever he shouted at the nurses inside the ICU, they would ask him to rest.

It was visiting hours when a stern-looking man entered the room. Casper frowned, looking at his lawyer. "Why are you here?"

Casper looked completely healthy to his eyes but he just spoke to the doctor saying Casper's situation was grave. It didn't quite add up, "Chairman Matthews, how are you doing?" He started the conversation.

"Why are you here?" Casper asked through his teeth, in a low voice.

The man was confused for a moment. He took his mobile out and opened the trending article. He passed the mobile to Casper as he spoke. "I just spoke to Doctor Stewart. He is saying your condition isn't favorable." His eyes ran over Casper and suggested, "I think we should take a second opinion or shift to a different hospital."

Casper's eyes were wide in disbelief. Anger welled up in his chest "How dare he!?" He growled in the ICU. He had instructed Harrison to stop the news before it spread, but then how could they stop Alvin?

A little boy in the ICU was startled and started crying. A nurse tended to him and another nurse reminded them, "Don't make noise."

Casper ignored the nurse and breathed heavily. He knew the news would blow up but the article sounded like he would die soon.

The lawyer spoke, "I received a call from Alvin Matthews's lawyers. They are demanding fifty percent of everything if you write a will."

The raw anger shot through him. "Outrageous." Casper sneered, finding Alvin despicable. "I won't give him a penny." He scoffed loudly.

The nurses furrowed at the noise. She went to Casper and pointed at the door, "Sir please leave. Don't stress the patient." She instructed the lawyer.

Casper snapped at the nurse, "F*ck off." He yanked out all the wires and stood on his feet. He strode out of the ICU to see his company's higher management employees.

"What the f**k are you guys doing here?" Casper trembled in rage seeing them in the hospital instead of working at the company.

The employees and the lawyer were taken aback by the oppressing Casper. He didn't look much different other than the patient's outfit.

A manager said in delight, "Chairman Matthews, you look fit and fine. We should immediately hold the press conference and clear all the rumors."

Casper was stunned by the manager's words. He couldn't be fit and fine if he has to evade the court and punishment. He couldn't let anybody else know about his plan. He didn't know how to manage.

His eyes fell on Doctor Stewart who signaled him to pretend dizzy. He immediately held his head and the doctor rushed to him.

"Chairman Matthews, why did you come out of the ICU? You need to stay in bed." He helped Casper to sit on the chair instead of taking him inside the ICU.

The doctor turned to the men and scolded them, "Don't you have common sense? Stop stressing the patient. Will you take responsibility if he has another heart attack? We barely managed to save him." He purposefully made Casper's health sound critical.

The tension on the lawyer's and employees' faces returned. A manager spoke hesitantly, "But Doctor, this is very urgent."

Another one added, "We will try not to agitate him."

Doctor Stewart glanced at Casper who nodded. He pretended to play along with Casper, "Alright. Don't take long." He left there.

A secretary of Casper, passed him an Ipad to show the market situation, "Chairman Matthews, there are lots of rumors about your health. The news channels and prominent personnel making statements that Matthews companies will go down with you."

The lawyer who hadn't got the chance to complete his words, spoke after him, "Alvin Matthews will be filing a suit for partition with respect to the property, company shares, and other assets."

Casper gritted his teeth. Alvin was asking for partition, if he doesn't give, Alvin will go to court, keeping his fake health condition as a pivotal point. The solution was writing a will and Casper wasn't ready to write it when he was robust.

Another employee spoke right after the lawyer. "If Alvin Matthews files a suit, the company stock rate will fall sharply. Other shareholders will fight for the position."

Another person continued, "Chairman Matthews, you need to announce your successor to avoid the forthcoming disaster." It was required to keep the company stable.

His blood boiled in rage. He wanted to shout as he was healthy which would solve all the troubles at the company. But he paled at the realization.

If he continues to act, he will have to write a will to keep the company at the top. Then he will lose his control over the company.

If he stops his act, Anya and Alvin wouldn't only send him behind the bars, but the company will be in crisis because of his news.

Whatever he chooses, he has dug his grave too deep to avoid it and Alvin will win anyway.