UNDER HIS RULES

Two hours before Sam prepared to leave.

On the way back from the hospital this time, Sam remained silent. Completely. Beatrice felt the urge to ask what Sam and his two subordinates were discussing. Why did his face become more fierce and gloomy? The aura of not wanting to be disturbed by anything, including Beatrice’s voice, was palpable.

“Sam,” Beatrice called softly. Her hand was itching to touch Sam’s muscular arm as he sat comfortably beside her. Beatrice knew that Rulli occasionally glanced at Sam with curiosity and fear combined. His order was clear, directing their car to headquarters.

“Don’t talk, Beatrice,” he said.

His voice was filled with a dark aura. Sam’s gestures indicated that he did not want to be disturbed. Even with his eyes closed, Beatrice was convinced that there were many thoughts running through his mind. This made Beatrice sigh softly. Until the car entered the headquarters’ area, which she hadn’t visited in a long time, Sam remained silent.

As soon as his feet touched the dry ground around the headquarters compound, many of Sam’s subordinates approached, including Hugo, who had gotten into a different car earlier.

“How’s it going, Boss?”

“Where’s Anne?”

“She’s been in her room the whole time, monitoring and making sure that it’s really Gerald and Jimmy. Ferdi is on his way to headquarters. I’ve talked to him about our situation.”

Sam nodded in understanding. His long strides began to enter the headquarters, with Beatrice quickly following suit. She couldn’t afford to be left behind, even though she needed extra breaths. Her steps couldn’t compare to Sam’s, especially now that he seemed to be in a hurry.

“Who are you guys?” Sam asked as soon as he entered the spacious living room. However, there were matters he needed to discuss with Hugo regarding their retaliatory attack. But why were there two men in neat suits, whom Sam suspected were Alfred’s subordinates?

Oh, God! He hadn’t even finished his conversation with Alfred. There were still unresolved issues that needed to be discussed further, especially regarding Beatrice. Gerald and Jimmy truly ruined his mood. And on top of that, Jack was injured? Damn those two! Especially AnaBella.

Sam wouldn’t let the three of them off easily.

“We were asked to protect Miss Leora,” one of them replied. His eyes stared at Sam without fear or hesitation. But when they faced the black-haired girl next to Sam, they respectfully lowered their heads.

Sam sighed. “Hugo!”

His voice echoed throughout the room, causing some of his subordinates to pause their activities. It had been a long time since their leader had raised his voice. The sound that made the hearts of Sam’s subordinates’ race uncontrollably. It was both terrifying and created a tense atmosphere.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

“What is it, Boss?” Hugo casually approached Sam, laughing at the two men who were present in the headquarters. He had already warned Alfred, but it seemed that the old man didn’t want to listen.

For Sam, getting rid of these two men in black suits would be easy. He could simply draw one of the weapons hidden in his pocket or throw a bare-fisted punch. But if he did that, it could further complicate the already difficult situation with Alfred.

“Don’t make me angry because of these two,” Sam said, pointing to the person in front of him. “Tell your boss,” Sam pointed without hesitation. “I can take care of Beatrice. I don’t need people like you!”

Beatrice immediately pulled her hand back, which was raised in front of the two men in black. She herself didn’t understand why there were people guarding her. What was going on? What was actually happening? Ah… she suddenly remembered the words of the middle-aged man who had hit Sam earlier.

“Sam,” Beatrice called once again. “Can we talk?”

Sam gritted his teeth. His jaw tightened. His sharp gaze focused on the two men in front of him. “Handle them, Hugo.”

“Got it.” Hugo chuckled. “You’d better come with me. Instead of looking for trouble? The Boss isn’t in a good mood,” said the man who was now chewing gum. Apparently, it had become his new habit while guarding Sam and Beatrice on the beach.

When he remembered his recent activities, wasn’t he the most miserable one?

Meanwhile, Sam led Beatrice towards his room. It wasn’t because he suddenly felt overwhelmed by the chaos that had surrounded him recently. But what Alfred had read, his words, and his desires couldn’t be taken lightly by Sam. He wasn’t a fool who didn’t understand the validity of the document he had read not long ago.

He held the hand of the girl walking beside him even tighter. There was no telling what Alfred might do. What couldn’t that man do? He was a Quassano, after all. Many things were under his control, and whether he liked it or not, Sam had to admit that the Southern region had significant sectors related to the dominant businesspeople and economies.

It didn’t take long for Sam to arrive at the door of his room.

“You stay here. Don’t go out and wait for me to return.”

Beatrice had just entered the room, but she stopped immediately to clarify Sam’s words. “What do you mean?”

“I have some business to attend to, Beatrice.”

“Yeah, but what?” Beatrice asked, demanding an answer. Feeling that Sam still didn’t respond, Beatrice continued speaking. This time, she took a step closer to Sam, who hadn’t looked away anywhere. Only Beatrice filled his gaze.

“Where are you going? You don’t want to tell me?” Beatrice questioned.

“I’ll be back soon,” Sam replied.

Beatrice couldn’t believe it. “Can you at least tell me the destination this time?”

***[]***

Beatrice stood on the balcony. Her eyes remained fixed on the line of cars, now leaving behind only the smoke of their exhaust. The black Jeep in the front, leading the way, had already sped off. Before they all left, one of the passengers in the Jeep got out. He gazed in the direction of the window where she stood.

For a while.

Until the figure she was staring at nodded slowly. Allowing the man to go to a place that she had no idea about. Yes, Beatrice had no idea where the Savannah District was. Her knowledge only reached the border areas. She couldn’t even dream of leaving the city, let alone afford proper meals and education.

“I don’t know if it’s still worthy to ask from You, God. But this is all I can do,” she said, sighing softly. “Protect him. Bring him back to this home without any harm.”

Beatrice hadn’t forgotten the reason for Sam’s departure this time. Whether it was a stroke of luck or a sudden reality that mercilessly choked her, Sam had revealed everything candidly. His plan to retaliate against Gerald for injuring Jack. Including Bella’s involvement, intending to harm him.

When she heard all of Sam’s explanations, sudden anger engulfed her. What had she done wrong to be used as bait for Sam? Damn that woman. Was it not enough when she hit her face with her elbow? Ah… she really wanted to replay their fight.

“I’m coming too!” Beatrice interrupted immediately after Sam stopped talking.

They sat at the edge of the bed. Actually, Sam didn’t want to talk. All the decisions, movements, madness, and actions-whether dangerous, risking his life-he never informed anyone. Not even his subordinates.

Hugo, Jack, and Eland only knew and carried out his orders. No one questioned, and most of them understood where they stood. Sam didn’t need to explain much about what needed to be done because they already knew and understood his desires.

But with Beatrice, everything was different.

The gaze of that woman made Sam bow his head. Even though her eyes were no longer in a seductive state, her gaze was full of energy, fearlessness, with no trace of doubt or lack of confidence.

That’s what made Sam lose. Asking Beatrice to quickly understand his thought process. But instead, the woman boldly expressed her desire to join.

“Do you think I’m going for fun, huh?” Sam asked sharply. His gaze stared at Beatrice in disbelief.

“I have to settle things with Bella myself!” He stood up from his seat. “Let’s go!”

“Beatrice!”

“What?” Beatrice growled in frustration. “Do you think I won’t accept if I want to fight Bella again? Is that it?”

Sam couldn’t comprehend what Beatrice had just said. “Don’t test my patience.” He pulled Beatrice’s hand once again, urging her to sit back down. Although it seemed forced, she positioned herself next to Sam. A slight sigh of annoyance escaped her tiny mouth.

“You wait at home. Don’t leave this house without my permission. Understood?”

Beatrice pouted.

“Beatrice!”

The woman turned out to be stubborn.

“Beatrice Catalina!”

“Give me one reason why I shouldn’t come with you,” her pitch-black eyes stared at him without hesitation. Before, she would never dare to hold his gaze for a long time. Besides Sam’s strong intimidation, for some reason, the gaze of the ruler made Beatrice’s courage waver instantly.

Blame the closeness that had developed over the past few weeks.

Where Beatrice often lost herself in the depths of Sam’s mysterious, sharp eyes. She didn’t want to keep staring and admiring Sam, especially when he was above her. Everything seemed different. That’s why she found the courage in her mind that Sam wouldn’t treat her badly.

Again.

Asked like that, Sam touched her heart. Sitting down and discussing what he would do to others was no longer himself. Moreover, the eyes that were now looking at him suddenly made him want to protect them dearly.

“I don’t want you to get hurt. Don’t ask any more questions. Grant my request, Beatrice. I will definitely come back.”