UNDER HIS RULES

“I’m sorry, but I’m not Leora,” Beatrice asserted with a displeased expression. “Please respect that boundary, even if you still hope that the little child is alive.”

Alfred stared at Beatrice with an incredulous look.

“You came here to meet me, right? To confirm your suspicions?”

“Yes.” Alfred replied without hesitation.

“Then don’t act like someone who is committing a crime,” Beatrice said.

Alfred, who was still staring at Beatrice intently, eventually laughed. He waved his hand lightly at David, and shortly after, all the guns that were aimed at Sam and his men were lowered. The same went for Sam’s other men. The weapons were no longer as intimidating to Beatrice.

This action was met with a thin smile from Beatrice. “Thank you.”

“So… will you comply with this old man’s request?” Alfred asked.

Beatrice thought for a moment. It didn’t occur to her that she might be someone like what was being suggested. It could be true or it could be false, right? Who knows, perhaps due to the high hopes of the old man in front of her, hallucinations were occurring. Especially after hearing the stories, she had just heard, this old man in front of her seemed to really hope that the reality was true.

She took a deep breath and glanced at Sam, who appeared impassive and silent.

“Just a little bit. For the sake of a DNA test,” Alfred pleaded. “I never ask for help from others, but in front of you, whom I truly believe is my only granddaughter, I ask sincerely.”

Beatrice swallowed nervously.

“How can you be so sure, sir?” Sam asked, slightly annoyed. “Since earlier, I’ve been observing your facial expressions. Trying to remember your face from years ago, visually comparing it to Beatrice’s face that I will never forget. There’s no resemblance at all.” Sam laughed. “So… let’s end this nonsensical conversation.” He then stood up and extended his hand to tightly hold Beatrice’s.

“I still have a lot to settle with Beatrice,” Sam said with a faint smile as he looked at her. “Thank you for the interruption, sir.”

“You can see it for yourself,” Alfred said, taking out a photo that he never left from his pocket. It was a photo of his family that sometimes made him feel sorrowful. The photo where his child, son-in-law, and still a baby granddaughter was neatly stored in his suit pocket.

“Take a good look, Sam, if you’re really good at analyzing someone’s face.”

For some reason, the portrait caught Beatrice’s attention. She slowly accepted it from the man who was still staring at her intently. Since their hands were already intertwined, all Beatrice could do was gently stroke Sam’s arm. Trying to convince him to sit back down for a moment. So that she could also satisfy her gaze on the photo she held.

“What else do you want, huh?” Sam impatiently asked. “Do you want to believe this old man’s nonsense?” Sam pointed with a displeased expression. “Come with me!” he half-forced.

“Hold on, Sam.” Beatrice smiled faintly. “I won’t go anywhere except by your side. Okay? Just a moment.” Beatrice pulled Sam to sit beside her. “Not for long. Five minutes is enough.”

Beatrice’s words immediately received a grumble of annoyance from Sam. However, he no longer resisted. His gaze sharpened on Alfred, who was still laughing at Sam’s compliance for once.

“Love makes you submit, right, Sam?” Alfred couldn’t suppress his laughter because Sam, for the first time, seemed willing to comply with someone else’s request.

Feeling that Sam was now somewhat comfortable in his seat, Beatrice looked back at the portrait still in her hand. It felt much closer than before, where she felt like she had seen this woman before. But where? Wasn’t the woman carrying the baby long gone? According to the middle-aged man in front of her, she was his late daughter-in-law. Which means… she was Leora’s mother.

Was it really her?

Beatrice examined the portrait once again. Her eyes were drawn to… the woman’s eyes. Yes, she had met this woman in a much younger version of herself. Those eyes, her eyes. They were identical.

“Can I have this?” Beatrice asked, not sure where the idea came from, but she truly wanted to compare the woman’s eyes with the childhood photos she had. The photos that often served as encouragement because her mother’s portrait was there. She couldn’t deny that sometimes, seeing her father’s behavior back then made her very sad.

The stark contrast in treatment she received from her mother and father was overwhelming.

“Yes, dear. You can.” Alfred was enthusiastic. “You see, right? How similar your eyes are. Even when I caught a glimpse of you at the hospital, I could feel it.”

Sam scoffed, folding his arms across his chest. He looked at Alfred with a sarcastic gaze when their eyes met.

“If my suspicions are correct, Sam, don’t think I’ll take it lightly, and I’m not necessarily giving my approval regarding your relationship.”

“You’re just an outsider to us, Mr. Alfred,” Sam sneered.Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.

Alfred ignored Sam’s objection to some extent. He chose to pay attention to Beatrice, who was still gazing intently at the portrait.

“You… will you, just once, comply with this old man’s request?”

“You,” Sam called out, causing Beatrice to flinch in surprise. Her thoughts scattered instantly. Finding Sam looking at her intensely made her a bit nervous.

“Are you still thinking about earlier?” Sam asked. Beatrice could only let out a sigh. “Yes, brother.” In her lowered gaze, Beatrice felt Sam drawing closer. She felt a gentle touch on the top of her head.

“If it’s true, what would you do?” Sam asked, making Beatrice look up. Their distance was already quite close. Once again, she felt a touch on her cheek.

When Beatrice first met Sam, she always thought this man was rough and didn’t know how to treat women. But it seemed like that assumption had shattered.

“I don’t know,” Beatrice shrugged. “The old man’s story is too strange to me.” She sighed once again. “It’s like it doesn’t make sense for me to comprehend,” she whispered. “My mother never said anything about me when she was alive. She loved me so much, brother.” Beatrice chose to gaze out at the open sea again.

“I’ve forbidden you from following his wishes, but you’ve defied me,” Sam grumbled. He leaned back in his chair. “If you’re unsure, you don’t have to do it. I never forced you to do anything.”

Beatrice chuckled. She found it amusing to see Sam’s expression, which was different from his usual self, especially when they were still debating at the end of their conversation.

“Let’s just wait for the results, brother, tomorrow.” Somehow, Beatrice mustered the courage to touch the edge of Sam’s forehead. There was a strand of her hair sticking out there, which she thought was much messier than before. Perhaps because it had grown longer.

“If you really are… Leora… will you leave me, then?” Sam closed his eyes briefly, feeling Beatrice’s fingertips touching his face.

A thin smile appeared on Beatrice’s face. The distance between them diminished further, until she gave him a sweet kiss as a conclusion to Sam’s words this time. “I don’t care who I really am. I am… Beatrice Catalina. Your woman.”