His Devious Rule

Chapter 561 Her Muse

Alvin had the invitation to the after party as the President of the company which is responsible for the restoration of the palace and building a new world class museum. 

He had no plans to attend the party, but how could he let his little enemy be smug and gloat on him? Hence he was there to send his little enemy.

Well, his childish plan failed and his little enemy regally walked next to him as they entered the party hall that could easily fit thousands of people.

Since the party had started, they were last to enter and everybody turned to the entrance. Anya, who was supposed to be an average lady from a middle-class family, fell no short while walking next to her charming billionaire husband. 

With the striking couple, Zane was like a cherry on top, a mix of both of his parents. 

Anya was nodding at the greeting of some cops when a minister made his way towards them. He offered his hand to Alvin as he spoke, "Finally, I got the chance to meet you, President Matthews."

Anya's eyes gradually turned like a ball of ice looking at the minister named Edward Hughes. He was in the ministry of Art and culture. And he was planning to become the president of the country, hence he needed every connection he could make.

Alvin had heard a little about the minister after Alaric De Michèle appeared in their mansion. However, as a businessman, he didn't reveal any of his expressions. 

Well, he wasn't so easy either. He looked at the man's hand as though reluctant to touch him. He delayed long enough to embarrass Edward before shaking his hand and offering no words.

Anya got a glimpse of reporters taking pictures. She won't let Edward use her name or picture to his advantage. She spoke in a low voice, "Alvin, I will get something for the baby to eat."

Alvin took his hand away and didn't bother to excuse himself from Edward or give Edward a chance to greet his wife. "Let me bring you there."

Just like that Edward stood there and the couple left with Zane. 

Anya grimaced for not checking the guests' list of the afterparty when her eyes landed on Alaric De Michèle who was holding a flute and swirling the red wine and watching them.

Alvin barely spared words to anybody in the party other than speaking with Anya and taking care of Zane while Anya was speaking with numerous chiefs of the many departments.

Everyone said the same thing to her in different ways. 'It's a pity, we lost such an amazing officer from the department.'

Or, 'How could Chief Jason not come up with ways to retain Officer Owen in the department?'

And his wife often ignored those kinds of questions with a faint smile. Or responded simply, 'It's time I stop putting myself in danger.'

Alvin retrained from mocking her as 'Oh! you are aware that your work is dangerous!? Fantastic.' 

He knew if Zane's presence and the responsibility made her strong, the missions were making her feel alive while getting over the past and trying to forget him. 

Out in the hall of annoying politicians and attention-hungry people, Alaric was much better to endure hence he didn't bother scramming the man. 

Alaric glanced at Anya and turned back to Alvin who was patiently waiting for Anya. "I had almost thought you don't love your wife." Alaric mocked Alvin, pointing out how Alvin had ignored his oblique threat when he sent a picture of Anya standing in a public area.

Instead of Alvin, Zane paused in his actions and shot the man a deadly look. He just couldn't understand this strange man. 

Alvin was too lazy to change his expression so he taunted back Alaric, "Mr. Mitchell, did you come here to pretend to be busy or find ways to avoid certain someone?" 

Because Alaric doesn't like crowds, he ignores every personal invite to every event, much less attends a party to represent his maternal duke-grandfather De Michèle.

Alvin hit the nail. Alaric gritted his teeth but he knew he was the one who started it. "Mr. Matthews, you are awfully interested in my life."

Alvin was oddly entertained watching Alaric get irritated. He rubbed the salt over the wound, "My wife is rather curious why would Apex's CEO be interested in their new Client."

Zane: "…"

What were they talking about? Nothing was making sense. He wanted to go to his mother.

Just then a middle-aged man tapped a spoon to the wine glass to get attention. 'Clink, clink, clink…'

Everyone fell silent and turned to the center where a few men in uniform and Anya were standing.

Only Alvin noticed Anya struggling to stop herself from saying anything, clutching the champagne flute stem hard between her fingers. 

The middle-aged officer spoke loud enough to reach most of the ears, "I'm sure most of the awardees here have been interviewed in the past month, there are even documentaries on many awardees." Then his voice trailed and he turned to Anya, "Except one."

Anya cursed the man in her mind for attracting too much attention. However, she stayed in composure as she will need their cooperation once she returns from her tour. As a deputy, she will be meeting them often.

The middle-aged officer continued, "As the only Presidential awardee of the year, Ex-Officer Owen has refused every media outlet, including the National news."

Curiosity rose in the crowd, wondering where this was going. The officer continued, "Since we are curious, we thought you might also want to know a bit about Anya Owen. So get closer and let's hear what she has to say about her work, award, and retirement."

Anya glanced at the barstool when a waiter placed it in the center and looked at the people moving closer to hear her. She wanted to refuse but her son's eyes were etched on her. She didn't want him to misunderstand her unwillingness to fear the crowd.

She had just decided to speak, and a hand appeared in front of her. Alaric offered his hand to Anya like a gentleman. 

Anya looked at the man. She knew what he was doing: Alerting Edward Hughes to keep an eye on them and be wary of his actions. 

Although she was reluctant to let anybody take advantage of her, she let Alaric have his way due to Atara Sullivan. 

Her fingers slid to his giant palm while he held the swivel barstool with another hand. Anya effortlessly sat on the barstool before nodding at the man. He didn't deserve her gratitude, both knew that.

Alvin wasn't a fool either. However, their actions could create new annoying rumors which he hated. His faint voice floated to Alaric's ear when the latter reached the table, "You will regret this one day." His tone was dark and menacing.

Alaric pretended to be unbothered by Alvin's words while his eyes strained on a man in the crowd.

Anya looked at her son who was anticipating her to speak. She looked at others who were watching her. Some were waiting for her to make a fool of herself, and a few were truly interested.

She began in her calm voice, putting zero effort into increasing her voice. "I read an article about me in the morning." She summarized the content of the article, "Anya Owen prepared from her school to achieve her dreams." 

She snickered, "No, this wasn't what I dreamed of." She didn't even know the Secret Service department existed.

A few looked at each other with various thoughts. Anya didn't care. She was speaking for her son and some chiefs who wouldn't stop asking her. 

She continued, "I was no different from many girls from a small town who dreams of having a white-collar job that pays their bills and sets aside enough to send their parents on their dream vacation."

A smile appeared on Alvin's face when he recalled Anya stating this, sitting on the floor in the library. She was finding happiness in simple things and it amused him. And now, she faces danger and it worries the hell out of him but also makes him amazed.

Anya continued, "So my focus from the moment I stepped into this city was to create an app that could impress my interviewer and get hired. Hence I didn't do the most boring thing. I holed up in the library." Some people chuckled, nodding their heads, agreeing it was a dull life.

Anya turned to her husband who was watching her, knowing what she was going to say. "That's where I met my husband who was going to the library to sleep."

Alvin: "…"

He was a fool to expect her to say something sweet or romantic. He heard many burst into laughter, glancing at him. 

Before people questioned why she was talking about her husband, Anya continued, "He is a genius. He learned what I could do better that I didn't even know. Hacking."

'Oh…' There was a silent chorus in the hall hearing her. 

"He unknowingly prepared me for my job." That was the answer to how she got the job.

Before anybody could think Alvin was the reason behind her success, Anya responded to the second point - her awards, "I dedicate all my awards, my achievements to my son."

Her eyes settled on the little face. His surprise morphed into one of the happiest smiles. She continued, "He is my muse, my source of strength. Without him and his unconditional support, none of these would have been possible."

Under the loud applause, Zane jumped off his chair and ran over to Anya, grinning ear to ear.

Anya got off the barstool when an officer held the stool. She kneeled when Zane ran into her arms. She couldn't help but chuckle when Zane couldn't restrain his smile for a long time.

Alvin knew that truth but he couldn't help but envy his little enemy. He pulled his wife up and asked, "Shall we go now?" They still had a party at home and Anya was done with her quota of socializing.

Anya nodded. If she stayed long, those people would ask more questions. She might end up refusing harshly. She faintly bowed her head at the group of men with a faint smile. Her eyes reached Chief Justice's gaze who was sitting on the sofa. 

Zane tugged his father's hand to carry him. Then he questioned in a low voice, "Chipmunk Monster, how did you get to know Mommy could do hacking better?" For him, his father was the coolest to teach her hacking.

Alvin was surprised when he sensed the admiration of the little man for teaching Anya. He tried to explain taking Jia as an example.

Anya helplessly smiled watching the duo. Her favorite part of the day and most of the days was the two bantering without hating each other and having a conversation like adults.

Anya sat in the car and continued to silently hear Alvin explaining to Zane in the simplest way about how to find out what other people are good at. 

Before she could drown in the bliss of the family, her eyes fell on the man who had slipped the Arcane note into her pocket.

'Arcane.'