UNDER HIS RULES

“Praise God, Ute and Beatrice are safe, Sam. But I haven’t received any news about the others. Sister Ute hasn’t provided further updates. I’ve already asked Deni to take Beatrice and Ute to the hiding place in the Southeast. I apologize if I acted impulsively-”

“No, what you requested was right, An,” Sam quickly interrupted. His jaw tightened, his eyes filled with furious anger. The bottle in his hand had shattered since Anne’s news arrived. He absorbed each word carefully. Don’t ask how overwhelming it felt. His thoughts were solely focused on one person; Beatrice Catalina.

He was caught off guard.

His memory immediately flashed back to a series of events he had experienced. Piece by piece, his mind assembled a puzzle that suddenly resembled shards of glass. Sharp and capable of causing harm. They couldn’t be arranged haphazardly because each fragment could disrupt the arrangement of the others.

“Keep me informed, An,” Sam said curtly. His eyes stared at the road they were currently traversing. It was a smooth, high-speed highway where Rulli’s driven Jeep raced. Sam could see the convoy trailing behind through the rearview mirror. Including one conspicuously occupied by Ferdi.

“Boss?” Hugo didn’t know how to express himself. He listened attentively, just like Eland, who was stunned in his seat.

“What are you going to do?”

It was Ferdi’s voice. Since Anne’s news arrived, he had been listening. He was the only one from the police side whom Sam granted access to communicate. The rest followed Ferdi’s orders. Sam also didn’t want anyone reporting his actions. Perhaps, in his fury towards Gerald, would he kill the man on the spot?

Both Eland and Hugo exchanged glances. The ruler even released his cigarette, lighting it with a casual yet determined manner. They were both certain that Sam was engulfed in a storm of rage. Nothing could stop Sam’s determination this time. Moreover… this anger was not solely Sam’s.

Especially because the attack struck their headquarters. The place where they shared all sorts of things together. Their brotherhood was not merely about the blood that flowed; it encompassed many factors, and they both understood that well. Sam’s constructed headquarters, which they knew, was built upon the memories of the ruler. Memories that could be described as both beautiful and dark, yet made each side of the building steadfastly challenge the sky.

One of their members was shot without knowing where he went wrong. Sam pursued him until he found out who the executor was. The person who subjected Twin Dragon Clan members to such brutal treatment would not be let off so easily. Especially now.

“Order your most trusted subordinates, Fer, to come and enter the headquarters. I’m sure there will be a second attack. The only target they have in mind is Beatrice.”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Ferdi was taken aback. “Are you serious?”

Sam chuckled. “They attacked when they knew I wasn’t there. Only certain people know what I intended to do, Fer.”

Ferdi fell silent. What Sam said had some truth to it. Throughout his acquaintance with Twin Dragon, no influential headquarters had ever faced such an open attack in this territory. Aside from the difficult-to-penetrate security system, there were also many of Sam’s people.

Perhaps because some of them sided with Sam to settle scores with Gerald and Jimmy, the defense system in the headquarters weakened. Or it could be…

“You’re no longer suspecting certain individuals, are you?” Ferdi asked straightforwardly.

Sam’s response was only a laughter that sounded terrifying.

“Return the favor I asked for, send your people to the headquarters. I’m certain Beatrice won’t want to leave.”

“But the headquarters is dangerous now, Sam. You should ask Beatrice to leave there.”

A grin formed on Sam’s face. He released the bottle he was still holding, leaving behind a minor cut that he paid little attention to. He resumed enjoying his cigarette. The smoke filled the car cabin immediately. “You have no idea how stubborn my woman can be, Fer.”

At the other end, Ferdi laughed. “Okay. I’ll send people there. Fully equipped to protect the headquarters and the ambulance. I’ve instructed some of the injured ones to receive immediate treatment. My people can make that happen easily. But the hospital? The place where Jack was attacked?”

“I’m confident Jack can slaughter anyone who stands in his way.”

Once again, Sam heard Ferdi chuckle. “I’ll surely be asked to file a report on multiple deaths.”

“Most of the police are incompetent, Fer, you have to admit that.” Sam took another drag from his cigarette. “The team is divided into three. The most well-equipped weapons are assigned to the teams I’ve chosen.” At that moment, the ruler turned his gaze towards Hugo and Eland. His two trusted men had been listening attentively.

Waiting for the order that would come from Samuel.

“Eland, you and Ferdi continue the journey. Gerald and Jimmy Lee are definitely preparing to defend themselves. Leave Bella to me, Eland. You can do whatever you want, but Bella must still face punishment from me.”

“Understood, Boss.”

“Gerald and Jimmy are my business, Sam,” Ferdi interjected. The only thing he desired was the two individuals whose names Sam had just mentioned. They had committed numerous crimes. Punishment had to be delivered, even though Ferdi wasn’t entirely sure if dealing with thugs like Sam would cost their lives. “You promise me, Sam.” Indeed, Ferdi didn’t want the chance to capture criminals like Jimmy and Gerald to slip away due to Sam’s selfishness.

Sam grinned slyly and then laughed. “You know what to do, Eland?”

“Don’t worry, Mr. Ferdi. They won’t die by my sword.” Eland tugged the corner of his lips, as if they were having a conversation while sitting leisurely in a room filled with cigarette smoke, the smell of alcohol everywhere, and the sounds of Sam’s subordinates shouting, eager to take action in the headquarters.

Just like their usual routine.

Ferdi let out a long sigh. Working with a dark and ruthless world ruler like Sam indeed came with consequences. Unfortunately, it wasn’t that easy for Ferdi to sever ties with Sam in all forms of cooperation. It was up to others to think however they wanted, but as far as he was concerned, Sam rarely got involved in cases that could harm him. That’s what made Ferdi appreciate the collaboration with Sam over the past few years. “Okay. At the exit, Eland, you come with me.”

“Hugo, turn around. There’s only Anne and Uti at the headquarters. They won’t stop attacking until nothing is left.”

“Okay.” Hugo nodded in understanding. “You’re coming with me, right?”

Sam’s gaze remained sharp and rigid. It was filled with unmistakable burning vengeance. “I won’t let the mastermind behind all of this laugh freely at the control screen.”