UNDER HIS RULES

Hera appeared surprised to find Anne around her campus, as if deliberately waiting for her to pass through the boring classes. Hera didn’t have many friends in her class, only close to Beatrice and Anwar. But today, Anwar was in a different class, so Hera chose to be alone.

Her message to Beatrice was replied to three hours ago. Hera intended to visit Beatrice, but where was her friend now? She had no idea.

Just Beatrice’s arrival at the campus was already shocking. And then leaving just like that? It left Hera with many questions because she felt that Beatrice was hiding something.

Oh Damn! Beatrice always manages to surprise.

“Hey An,” Hera greeted with a smile on her face. “What’s up?”

“Just wanted to see you, Her.”

Hera’s curiosity grew. “It’s not like you to be like this.” She approached. Anne’s face looked gloomy, much gloomier than before. “Are you okay?”

Anne tried to force a smile. “Trying to be okay, to be precise.”

Hera chose to stay silent. She was confused about how to respond. The pain and loss for Tony were equally enormous.

“I happened to be in this area before going home, Ra. That’s why I stopped by,” Anne explained. “Want to grab something to eat together?”

Hera’s smile widened. “I know a good meatball stall near the campus. Do you want to go there, An?”

“Sure.” Anne took out a key. “Just ride on my motorcycle.”

Hera didn’t want to refuse. She could go back to the campus and retrieve her own motorcycle. If she couldn’t, it wouldn’t be a big deal. Tomorrow, she could use other public transportation to go to the campus.

They walked together, albeit without any conversation, but Hera somewhat enjoyed this situation. Anne seemed to be filling in Tony’s place. Sometimes, Anne would send messages reminding Hera to take care of her health and pay attention to her meals, especially sending greetings to Hera’s mother.

If her older brother were still alive, their marriage might have been a stroke of luck for Hera. When else would she find such an attentive and kind-hearted sister?

Their steps were interrupted by Anne’s loud ringing phone. She quickly reached into her jacket pocket. “Eland?”

“Where are you?”

“I have some business. I’ve already spoken with Leo, though.”

“I know.” Eland sighed. “You go back to headquarters. We need aerial surveillance and CCTV monitoring of all access points to De Faux Mansion.”

Anne’s mouth dropped open. “Eland… are you serious?”

“Hurry. I’ll wait for you for five minutes.”

“I can’t,” Anne quickly interjected. “I’m far away.”

“Coordinate with the ones at headquarters, but come home soon. Sam won’t wait long.”

“Sam?”

“Yes!” Eland commanded again. “Quick! We need the aerial surveillance.”

“This is all…” Anne couldn’t believe what she was hearing this time.

“The killer of Tony has been found, but the mastermind behind all this is still at large. I warned you, right? Sam won’t stay silent.”

A sense of sadness crept into Anne’s heart this time. Her eyes teared up. She didn’t believe the Southern Ruler would do something like this. His daily demeanor seemed relaxed and indifferent, but apparently… Sam did this.

“Hurry!” Eland snapped impatiently. “Sam will enter the Northern Territory in less than half an hour. You know the area, right?”

“Okay. I’m going home now.”

Anne fiddled with her phone for a moment, also sending an emergency message to Leo, their fellow guard.

“Anne?” Hera looked confused about what was happening.

Anne, whose face had previously shown displeasure, suddenly smiled broadly. Like someone who won a hundred million prize and received unexpected luck. “Are you okay?”

“Sam already knows who killed Tony. I have to go back to my post.”

Hera’s eyes widened. She felt like she wanted to jump out of her shell. She never expected Anne’s words to be so surprising. “Bang Sam?” Her memory immediately focused on the mysterious man who stood watching her brother’s funeral. Anne had said that he was their boss. “Are you serious? But the police-”

“The police act when there’s money involved,” Anne replied cynically. “I have to go home, Ra. See you later.”

“I’ll come with you, Anne.”

Initially, Anne wanted to run as fast as she could to get to her motorcycle. Pressing the gas pedal hard so she could reach headquarters and do her part. Aerial surveillance was indeed needed to know the current situation of the area they would visit.

“Come with me?” Anne repeated. “No. It’s dangerous, and it’s better for you to go home.”

“This concerns my brother, right?” Hera approached Anne without hesitation. “I’m coming with you.”

“Ra,” Anne said, half frustrated. “You can’t. Sam will get angry if outsiders get involved.”

“Me?” Hera pointed to herself. “Am I an outsider?” She couldn’t believe Anne could say that so blatantly. After all, it was about her brother’s death, right? “I’m Bang Tony’s sister, An, in case you forgot.”

Anne sighed heavily. “It’s dangerous, Ra. My job is not to be taken lightly, and I’m afraid Sam will get angry. If he’s angry…”

No. Anne shook her head vigorously. She never imagined that he would get angry and cause a commotion. Although she had never seen Sam’s wrath during her time at headquarters, it still sounded terrifying. “Please, just follow me for now.”

“An,” Hera pleaded. “I won’t be a burden. I’ll help as much as possible. This is Tony we’re talking about. I can’t stay silent when it concerns my brother.”

***[]***

The car driven by Rulli was entering the border area. He glanced at Thomas sitting next to him. They had never driven this far before, but there was no fear. As long as Sam was there, they were safe. Besides, today was not just a regular visit. From the information Hugo had mentioned earlier, De Faux Mansion belonged to a Jimmy Lee. They didn’t know who Jimmy was, but it seemed to have stirred Sam.

Their boss rarely requested to drive in a bulletproof Jeep. Plus, the weapons in the trunk were full. It meant that Sam was prepared for whatever might happen during his visit. Looking through the rearview mirror, the ruler and his assistant appeared calm. If Rulli could describe it honestly, it felt like meeting an old close friend, and that’s what they were doing now.

Hugo himself was busy with his phone, occasionally cursing due to a wrong strategy and move in his game this time. Sam? Enjoying his cigar.

“Boss,” Thomas called. “The aerial surveillance is connected.”

“Anne is unusually late,” Sam replied with a sigh. “Make sure Eland is also connected. He’s on the right side of the forest.”Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.

“If he’s done with Bella,” Hugo chuckled without looking away from his phone. “Idiot! On the right, don’t shoot the fortress! I’m there! Damn it!”

“Eland informed me of his position, Hugo.” Sam accepted the tablet handed to him by Thomas. “Anne,” Sam called after making sure the signal was received well.

“Yes, Boss.”

“You’re five minutes late.”

“Sorry,” Anne said softly. “I won’t repeat it.”

Sam sighed in frustration. “Make sure Hugo is armed and infiltrating as well. Disable the surveillance on the right gate only.”

“But isn’t the boss from the main entrance?”

Sam grinned. “Hugo,” he called out then. “Are we partying?”

“Yes, of course. It’s a shame Jimmy won’t get fireworks.”

“Did you hear Hugo’s words? Make sure the right gate is open, and Eland can infiltrate.”

“Understood, Boss.”

“One more thing, make sure Jack doesn’t leave Discotic Flown for any reason. You can monitor, An.”

“I can.”

“Okay.”

Sam then studied the aerial surveillance of the area they were about to explore. Hugo had his phone in hand, checking the small pistol that was always faithful behind his blazer.

“Monitor all of them, Hugo. I want to see how tight the main gate is.”

The tablet that had previously occupied his gaze quickly moved into Hugo’s hands. The other three cars within reach of Sam’s Jeep were also connected to what Sam desired.

Hugo was actually quite surprised by Sam’s seemingly spontaneous plan. But as long as he followed Sam’s lead in dealing with things, there was never a pre-planned strategy. Everything flowed naturally but hit the mark.

Maybe for this incident, Sam should be more careful, as it turns out to involve several high-ranking officials that surprised Hugo. It is highly suspected that Tony made a mistake in shooting, but why was it left unaddressed? If help could be obtained immediately, Tony’s life wouldn’t have been wasted like that. Hugo has thoroughly checked everything related to Tony’s work and found nothing strange.

The weapon used is quite rare and has a distinctive ownership. Including the involvement of Jimmy Lee in it. Who doesn’t know Jimmy Lee? An arrogant man who, according to Hugo, can’t do anything without the support of Alfred Quassano.

In Jimmy’s hands, several private banks fall under his power. Hugo believes that money laundering has been going on there for a long time. Nevertheless, no one dares to touch Jimmy for anything he does. Including pressuring many parties to achieve his goals.

Since Jimmy is in the Northern Legal Department, Sam doesn’t care. He is the ruler of the Southern Department. As long as they are not bothered by Jimmy, Sam doesn’t care.

There seems to be a special agreement between Gerald and Sam. Despite their apparent disagreement, for the sake of their shared past and their parents who used to do business together, that line has never been crossed by Sam. The same goes for Gerald. Sam’s three trusted individuals often warn him to be cautious of Gerald’s actions all this time.

Gerald often provokes Sam, especially when it comes to border areas. Sam can still restrain himself and not pay too much attention to Gerald’s antics.

But this time, it has gone too far.

That’s why Sam took action.

“Anne said Jimmy Lee is at his golf mansion in the north.”

Sam simply nodded.

“Boss,” Rulli slowed down his vehicle slightly.

The road ahead was clear with no obstacles, surrounded by towering trees neatly arranged along the roadside. However, a row of security personnel and guard dogs had already blocked their way. “We’ll pass through that checkpoint for sure.”

“Just stay calm.” Sam took his water bottle. He opened the cap with a light twist, and the contents slightly moistened the seat he was sitting on. He took a slow sip to feel the sensation that moistened his throat. He closed his eyes slightly. “This is good. Where did you get it?” he asked Hugo, who snorted in disbelief.

“Do you want to lose focus while holding a gun, huh?” Hugo raised an eyebrow, not believing his boss’s behavior but responded with a hearty laugh.

The car stopped at the main entrance, where Rulli waited for the right moment. From his observation, there were ten security guards with three alert guard dogs. Just like the ones Sam had at his main headquarters. Rulli knew that.

A knock on the window signaled that they wanted to know who the unfamiliar guests entering the residence of the number eight figure in the business world of the Northern Department were.

“You should greet them first, Rulli,” Sam calmly ordered. However, his hand was already prepared with the pistol provided earlier.

“What do you want? This is a restricted area!”

“Mr. Samuel wants to meet Mr. Jimmy Lee,” Rulli replied without looking back.

“There’s no appointment between Mr. Jimmy and the Samuel you’re referring to!” the officer snapped. “Leave!”

“This time, there is,” Hugo leaned slightly. A shot hit the chest of the officer. Subsequently, a series of shots filled the air. “Break through, Rulli.”

“Got it, Boss!” Rulli pressed the gas pedal hard. Accompanied by the sound of gunfire echoing continuously, the car sped away.

Sam grinned. “I’ll make sure you face the consequences, Jimmy!” Once again, he took a sip from the bottle he was still holding.