His Devious Rule

Chapter 566  Childhood & Love

In the Imperial University, main auditorium,

The buzzing noise in the hall came to a halt when a female student emcee began the event with an energetic voice, "A warm welcome to each one of you to this exceptional event. It is my distinct honor and privilege to stand before you tonight as we gather to celebrate not just an exceptional individual, but a true trailblazer in her field.

Our distinguished guest has dedicated herself to a cause larger than herself. Her unwavering commitment to excellence and her relentless pursuit of her goals have earned her the highest recognition in our nation."

Casper crossed his legs and breathed softly. He has gone through every detail of the event to make sure the Matthews family name stays in the limelight and acts as a PR to all the negative news so far.

The emcee continued, "Please join me in extending a hearty welcome to the stage, our esteemed Presidential Awardee, Mrs. Matthews." She pointed at the side of the stage.

Everybody rose to their feet when they got the sight of a slender female stepping into the limelight. She looked posh and elegant wearing a black designer suit with dainty gold accessories.

Her expressionless face made her look experienced and powerful as she made her way towards her seat. She had become the definition of transformation and success from a simple, small-town girl to an achiever.

Well, Anya got to know the reason behind the marker pen as soon as she stepped on the stage under numerous eyes, limelight, and thunderous applause.

Not just the emcee and students addressing her as Mrs. Matthews, but the LED screen, and the nameplate at her seat were written as Anya Owen Matthews. Casper's desperate move to add his family name to her.

Did he forget he was equally desperate to get rid of her from Alvin's reach?

Her effort to put a faint smile on her face erased instantly. Was Casper dreaming of redeeming himself with her name?

She would have probably helped him voluntarily if he had repented his actions and apologized to Alvin. She might have even fought with Alvin to stop him from harming the company or the Matthews family. But Casper had to use his sly tricks on them.

She was kind, but she wasn't a fool. The relationships aren't business deals to draw out his plans. Casper had failed to understand that even after so many failures.

So she was going to ruin Casper's efforts. So meticulously that he shouldn't think of playing with her or using her again.

She merely nodded at the other stage guests when they greeted her due to reporters and their cameras. Well, they had already met backstage.

Opening her laptop she clicked on a few keys and turned off all the microphones.

Placing her laptop on her seat, she looked at the crowd who were giving her a standing ovation. For a moment, her heart jolted at the sight of thousands of people in the hall. The students had taken up every last seat and were also standing on the aisle.

She never wished to be famous or dreamed of reaching the position she was in. Her heartbeats picked up speed for a strange reason. Because she was disinterested in facing so many people, without feeling uneasiness for the attention.

Strange.

Her eyes settled on the man who walked with his head held high, elegance and nonchalance in his every step. Rob had cleared the seats around Krystle and Zane and they stood facing her.

Alvin didn't join the crowd to clap but his confident gaze warmed her, motivated her.

While the organizing committee was panicking due to the microphones being down, a student tried to reach the clip-on microphone that was placed in front of her seat.

Anya was quick to wear the microphone to the collar of her blazer. She turned it on and spoke to cool down the students, "I got this." And her voice resonated through all the speakers, puzzling the organizing committee students more.

The crowd went silent and took their seats when Anya said, "Please," and signaled them to sit.

Casper frowned without understanding what was going on. The emcee should be speaking about the Matthews family in the name of Anya.

Anya began the event under her control, "Thank you, everyone, for taking your precious time out and attending this event." Her calm voice was neither high nor low, neither overbearing nor meek. Composed enough to keep everyone's attention on her.

Anya paused as she cued the Skylark guards to get on the stage, "I was a student not long ago. So I'm well aware of how INTERESTING speeches are in such events."

The student broke into laughter catching on to her humorous comment. Anya gave another pause for them to laugh while the Skylark guards vacated all the seats and guests. They moved an armchair and center table to the side, giving her the whole empty stage.

Her eyes landed on Casper who was pretending to be calm when he was panicking at the change of control over the event. Her husband's plan is smooth and vicious to a man like Casper.

Anya continued, "So, let's keep the questions about me, the award, and the job to the last as a fun chit-chat."

Casper: "…"

Fun? No, no, that part was supposed to be the main part of the event.

Casper looked at the dean of the university who was completely cool, accepting the changes. So Casper clenched his teeth and warily watched Anya.

Anya spoke looking at the LED Screen, with her back facing the audience. "Anya Owen… Matthews??" Everybody caught the change in her tone.

Fishing the marker pen out of her blazer, she stepped closer and struck through 'Matthews' on the screen. "While I loved to be called Mrs. Alvin Matthews, I'm Anya Owen." She turned around and narrowed her eyes at Casper. "My. Identity."

Her parents were more or less mortified sitting next to Casper when they heard her and understood her. But they had to control their expression because the cameras were also focusing on them.

A squeak of laughter slipped Krystle's lips watching Anya destroy Casper by drawing a line and her simplest introduction that she was Anya Owen.

Whereas Alvin put on a smug smile and poked his son who was sitting unnecessarily serious, "Did you hear that? That's my name."

Zane pursed his lips and turned to his father. Unfortunately, his mother has married his father and he can't marry his mother so he scoffed refusing to accept defeat, "Do you know my name? Mommy named me."

Krystle sealed her lips hard when she heard the duo. She began noticing Alvin was more than an arrogant rich man and Zane wasn't just an obedient son of Anya, a smug and sly son of Alvin.

She was happy for her godson and best friend for getting what they needed the most in their life - A vibrant childhood and unconditional love.