His Devious Rule

At the banquet,

Krystle was bored as hell, faking her smile while Linus spoke about business with middle-aged to old people. Now she understood why her mother hated to attend any business banquets with her father.

Linus did ask her to go out with her friends or rest at home. She insisted on following him as it was a banquet to attend with their dates.

'Beep…' Linus was too busy to bother about a message on his mobile but Krystle excused herself and stepped away to check her mobile.

[Go Home Now.]

Krystle assumed Anya was asking her not to drink and return home as the Lewis family was throwing a huge party at the Lewis hotel on Christmas Eve. Well, the party was primarily a marketing strategy and publicity.

Krystle smiled to herself thinking Anya was worried about her instead of enjoying her night with her husband. She replied to the message, [Babe, get sexy and own your husband.]

A voice sounded beside her, "Ms. Lewis, it was a pleasure meeting you. Please give my regards to your parents." The middle-aged man was courteous to Krystle, trying to butter her up as he wasn't invited to the Lewis grand party.

If people were thinking she would feel their sincerity for showing interest in Linus's business, then they were highly mistaken. Anyway, she faked her smile and shook his hand without forgetting to add polite words as a partner of Linus.

Linus helplessly smiled looking at Krystle putting on a kind act. On the surface, she was loud, careless, and flamboyant. Being with her for so many days, he understood those were just a small part of her.

"You shouldn't have come to get yourself bored." He mused as he changed her wine flute.

Krystle shrugged at his words and threatened him, "I dare you to have any business banquet or work for Christmas eve or new year's eve."

That was more like Hotheaded he knew. Linus chuckled without having any idea why he was invited to the banquet on such short notice.

Krystle hooked her arm to his and continued to accompany him in the banquet while sipping wine, politely greeting people if they identified her.

….

Not far away, a man in his fifties asked another man while watching the couple, "What to do about Ms. Lewis?" He placed his wine flute on the tray when a waiter was passing by as he added, "I don't want the Lewis as our enemies." Martin Cox, the vice president of Cox companies.

Another man who appeared to be an assistant or secretary responded, "VP Cox, I will distract Ms. Lewis while you speak with Linus Collins."

Martin Cox hummed in satisfaction. If one observes him closely, one could notice there was a hint of nervousness under his calm composition.

The assistant paused to let the waiter leave. Then he lowered his head and whispered, "I heard Linus Collins is heedful and clever. VP Cox, you should make him convince you instead of agreeing with him or offering to collaborate." He suggested as per the information he received.

Martin Cox had heard Linus succeeded in making deals with numerous top companies. He expected it to be because of Alvin or the influence of Bernard Collins. Nevertheless, he made a note of little things so that he makes no mistakes facing Linus.

….

Meanwhile, Paxton in the waiter uniform pretended to be dumb and deaf as he passed by hearing Martin Cox and his secretary. He started working with the serving staff as soon he got to know about his target attending the banquet. Hence he was able to walk close around the high profile businessmen easily without raising any suspicion.

He had already called Anya for his assistance when he was keeping an eye on a group. That's when he had noticed these two eyeing Linus and Krystle from the time the couple stepped inside.

Paxton identified Krystle immediately as Anya's friend, then Linus as Alvin's cousin. The chances of a shootout in the hall were high so he could only hope Anya reaches on time and sends them away.

—————

At the other end, Anya snuck into the luxurious hotel avoiding the cameras and guards' patrol. She entered through the staff quarters. With the face mask on, she avoided facing anybody and rushed to a room where a waitress's clothes were arranged for her with a disguise essential.

First, she wore the small almost translucent earbuds into her ear and asked, "Fill me in" It also served as information about her arrival.

Senon updated her from the other end, [Skye, Officer Paxton's mission was to catch the criminals behind the organ's traffic. With the criminal, there is a minister in the hall with X- cover security.] The X- cover security had 2 arms guards.

[And there is a diplomat of the country Y. Both are involved in this crime.] Paxton could have detained the diplomat and minister but he needed to lure the main criminal to the scenes.

[We need to keep the diplomat safe at any cost. Your task is to get him out of the hall, Officer Paxton will handle the rest.] Senon was in a different city or else he would have assisted Paxton in the banquet.

Any harm caused to the diplomat will become international news. They can't attack or do anything if the diplomat is close to the criminal. They can't wait till the end as they might leave together.

Anya changed her outfit and studied the layout of the hotel as she asked for the basic details. "Party is thrown by?"

[The Coxs.] Paxton was the one who responded in a low voice.

"The relationship between Cox and the criminals?"

Paxton continued, [Acquaintances.] They just found the chance to meet up as Cox's acquaintances, without drawing attention as they were close.

Once she got the grip on the situation inside, Anya's worry sounded in a cold tone, "Where are Linus and Krystle?"

There was a pause on the line. Paxton couldn't speak due to people in front of him and Senon, who was looking through the security video, spoke, [That's strange… Skye, Martin Cox was speaking with Linus Collins when his assistant faked a fall and threw wine on Ms. Lewis's dress.]

Anya's eyes glinted murderously looking at herself in the mirror. She was wearing black lenses over her gray orbs. With fake bangs and long hair, tied to a low pony, and nerdy eyeglasses, it was hard to identify her as Anya Owen.

If Krystle was in danger… Paxton spoke right after Senon to keep Anya cool, [Cox wanted to speak privately with Linus.] So Krystle wasn't in trouble but Cox was planning against Linus.

"I'm heading upstairs." Anya alerted them.

Meanwhile, Senon did a quick look-through and told her, [Cox and Matthews are long-term business partners. The close friends perhaps...] There was a chance Casper was using Cox.

The three uttered almost in unison. [Linus Collins could be bait for Alvin Matthews.] They had followed the Matthews court trial as Anya was involved.

Anya, who entered the emergency exit, swiftly climbed the stairs as she drew out the plan for her task.

Senon questioned right after, "What about Martin Cox?" Anya wasn't so good to let off the man who was scheming against her husband.

"Don't eye my prey." She won't exploit her colleagues for her personal motives when they are on critical missions.