UNDER HIS RULES

The room was stuffy, with minimal lighting, filled with choking smoke and the lingering smell of alcohol permeating the air. In some corners of the room, there were bottles of leftover drinks scattered somewhat messily. Cigarette butts were also scattered around, along with empty glasses from consuming the beverages.

“Did you, do it?” someone behind the large table in the corner asked. The lighting there was adequate, coming from the intentionally lit reading lamp.

“Yes, Boss,” one of the several people in the room spoke up.

None of them dared to look directly at the questioner. The oppressive atmosphere in the room intensified as the questioner rose from his seat and walked slowly toward the man who answered the question.

“Did you check the place?” he asked.

“Y-yes, Boss.”

The questioner grinned slightly. “Did you make sure it’s clean?”

Once again, the respondent spoke with nervousness because being near the questioner was incredibly intimidating. “Y-yes, Boss.”

Although the answer seemed doubtful, there was honesty in the respondent’s eyes. That was what satisfied the questioner. He showed his appreciation by patting the man’s shoulder, causing him to bow his head and avoid prolonged eye contact.

“If there are any problems in the future because of my orders, the first person I will look for is you, Yengki.”

The person named Yengki instantly swallowed hard. Beads of cold sweat began to form on his forehead. He also appeared to tremble, but he couldn’t afford to have any doubt within him. He had made sure there were no traces left of what he had done alongside his hired sniper. “Yes, Boss. I take full responsibility.”

The questioner felt even more satisfied. However, it didn’t make him want to return to his seat. “Prepare the car. Mr. Quassano needs me.”

The figure addressed as “Boss” strode confidently. His long black coat gently fluttered in the surrounding breeze. His sharp eyes scanned the area. Along the corridor he passed through, several black-uniformed individuals immediately bowed their heads as they crossed paths with him. There was a sense of fear dominating their eyes, making the choice to bow down the right thing to do.Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

The dimly lit room had been vacated, along with the people inside it. Everyone imitated the man’s footsteps as he headed towards the front area where his SUV was parked and ready to take him anywhere.

“Mr. Alfred is at Yamada Golf Course,” Paul informed. He was one of the black-uniformed individuals, but he dared to meet the Boss’s gaze intently. Paul was the only one who dared to challenge the Boss’s eyes; he was the Boss’s confidant. The owner of the grand classic-style mansion dominated by large pillars, complete with the symbol of his family.

The Eagle Wing.

It reinforced without the need to be vocalized who he really was. The ruler of the Eagle Wing clan. Gerald Hasolomone.

“He’s waiting for you in an hour from now.”

Gerald nodded softly before getting into his car. However, before fully entering the vehicle, he said, “Make sure Yengki’s job is done. Without a trace.”

“Understood, Boss.”

Feeling much calmer after stating that, Gerald got into the car. He sat comfortably and opened one of the storage compartments. The red wine that was always there was specially prepared for him. Shortly after Paul got in and sat beside him, the car accelerated quickly.

“Any developments?” Gerald asked, shaking his glass.

Paul, who had been observing his tablet, glanced briefly and smiled. “Quassano’s stocks are rising, Boss. Our profits are also increasing.” Paul handed over the tablet to show Gerald.

A thin grin adorned Gerald’s face. “Maintain it.”

“In eight months, there will be elections for the North and South region governorships. Mr. Quassano is the strongest candidate. Considering the stocks he owns, I’m confident he can accomplish a lot.”

“Keep an eye on Quassano until he becomes what we desire.” Gerald sipped his drink slowly. A sensation began to flow through his tongue, a feeling that made him much more relaxed than before. “Being on Quassano’s side is very advantageous. One day, they will submit to the Eagle Wing.”

“Yes, Boss.”

The pitch-black car continued to drive, cutting through the main road in the Northern District. It was headed towards its destination, which would be reached in thirty minutes. The assistant resumed his duties, while the boss stared at the screen displaying trivial news about the government. Nevertheless, his focus was on the moment when he would ultimately come into power.

“Just a little longer, Pa, just a little longer,” he thought to himself, then he indulged in the red wine in his hand.

***[]***

The thumping beat of the music filled the venue, creating an atmosphere for those in need of extra comfort. They danced, swayed, shouted, following the rhythm that filled the spacious room. Oh… it was more than just enough.

This five-story building had its second floor deliberately expanded to accommodate a dance floor surrounded by several bartender stations. It also included sofas occupied by many other visitors. Most of them seemed to enjoy every aspect of the room, where colorful lights illuminated the space. The commotion was accompanied by thick cigarette smoke floating in the air. Was anyone bothered? Not at all. Instead, they became even more lively, whether it was through their feet or their bodies, following the intense beat.

Among them was a woman who had been staring straight at the balcony above the dance floor. She focused her attention on one point-the owner of the nightclub.

While waiting, she didn’t forget to hold a cigarette between her fingers, occasionally taking a puff. For the most part, she let the tobacco burn in vain, as it wasn’t her intention here.

“I didn’t expect to find you here,” a remark interrupted her activities. She paused, turning her head lazily to face her conversation partner-Eland.

“Is there a ban for me to be here?” the woman asked curtly. She had intended to take a drag from the remaining cigarette, but it was too late. The stick of nicotine had already been taken by her interlocutor and enjoyed with a playful gaze, savoring the remnants of the woman’s lips that had previously touched it.

“No, there isn’t,” Eland replied, exhaling smoke from his mouth. “It’s rare for the security to inform me about your presence here.”

The woman sat indifferently. Her long, flowing hair was slightly trapped as she leaned against the sofa’s backrest. “Call your boss,” she ordered dismissively.

Eland chuckled. “You should be more self-aware, Bella.” He approached the woman. “You can’t just boss me around.”

“If you forget, I’m the woman Sam chose to be by his side.”

Eland laughed again. “That doesn’t mean you have the right to command me, Bella.”

“Shut up!”

Is Eland offended? Angry? Irritated? Not at all. Instead, Eland took a drink available for the woman and finished it, successfully making Bella grumble in frustration.

“Your taste hasn’t changed. Tequila,” Eland remarked.

“I want to meet Sam,” Bella stated.

Eland swiftly followed Bella’s movements, not to accompany her but to block her path. “Sam is busy. Don’t disturb him.”

Bella gave Eland a sarcastic look. “Do you dare defy me?”

“You’re not my boss,” Eland replied.

Bella scowled in disbelief. She glared at Eland with a scornful and highly annoyed expression. “I don’t care about Sam’s business. What I want is to meet Sam.”

Eland blocked Bella’s path. He sat up straight, his gaze piercing and his face tensing up. “Don’t overstep your boundaries, Anabella.”

Bella wouldn’t back down. She abruptly pushed Eland aside, but he seemed to anticipate Bella’s move. He firmly grasped her arm and held her in a grip that made Bella cry out in pain. “You’ve gone too far, Eland!!!”

Eland grinned with satisfaction. He whispered menacingly, “I told you not to cross your limits!”

“What’s going on here?”

Hearing a familiar voice in her ears, Bella tried to free herself. Then she hurriedly walked towards the source of the voice, behaving coquettishly and pouting as usual. “Eland forbade me from meeting you, Sam.”

Sam glanced at Eland, who smirked cynically. Then his gaze shifted to Bella, who now clung to him affectionately. Almost all the patrons at Flown Discotheque directed their eyes towards the three of them, especially when the owner hastily descended upon witnessing what was happening.

The relationship between Eland and Bella had never been harmonious.

“Go upstairs, Eland,” Sam commanded, and Eland promptly obeyed. However, Eland’s eyes continued to glare at Bella with displeasure. Meanwhile, Bella, feeling protected, returned the challenging gaze without yielding. “And you, Bella. You owe me an explanation for being here.”

Bella pouted. She continued to cling to Sam, unconcerned about being watched. All eyes that were directed at them had to know that Sam belonged to her alone. That’s why she immediately followed Sam as he headed to the second floor. Several people who worked for Sam also joined them until Sam turned into one of the corridors on the third floor.

In contrast to Eland, whose purpose was to return to the table where Sam had met with some business associates.

The five people following Sam immediately stopped in their tracks upon understanding what their boss was about to do. This corridor was specifically used by Sam to have fun with the women he chose.

This time, it was Bella accompanying him. It made Bella’s heart race even faster. It reaffirmed her belief that she was an important person by Noah Samuel’s side.

Meanwhile, Sam halted in front of a tightly closed door. Opening it wasn’t difficult. Inside, there was a sofa with a table filled with snacks and bottles of his favorite hard liquor. There was also… a sufficiently large bed.

Bella’s smile widened. Her efforts to coerce one of the people in Sam’s house had not been in vain, just to find out Sam’s whereabouts tonight. It had been almost three days since Sam had returned. No one had mentioned where he was, aside from taking care of Tony’s body.

She followed Sam into the cool and secluded room, far from the commotion she had heard on the previous floor. She closed the door as quietly as possible, ensuring that

Sam was now paying attention to her. But…

“Sit,” Sam said firmly. The tone, which Bella rarely heard, wasn’t directed at her. It was meant for his subordinates or those who betrayed him and deserved punishment. This made Bella shuffle nervously.

“Do you hear what I said?”

“Yes,” Bella quickly responded. She immediately complied with Sam’s request, sitting in one corner of the sofa.

“There’s one thing you need to know, Bella,” Sam said as he approached her. His aura was no longer friendly. Anger was clearly visible in his jet-black eyes. His jaw clenched as if restraining the frustration ready to burst forth at any moment. “If Eland says not to disturb, it means I don’t want to be disturbed.”

“But, Sam…”

“Shut up!” Sam snapped, causing Bella’s courage to falter. “I’m still being nice by bringing you here. If you disturb me here again, I won’t hesitate to throw you away like a discarded object.”

After saying that, Sam left.

Leaving Bella in disbelief, she blinked with tears in her eyes. Rarely did they moisten her cheeks, especially not expecting Sam to say such things to her.