His Devious Rule

Chapter 539 The Root Of The Problem

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Casper always thought the middle-class families wanted to leech him off or his family to live a better life. He used to look at them as dirty, greedy people ready to do anything for money. 

However, those thoughts didn't cross his mind while looking at Catalina and Dennis. Neither did they try to get close to him nor did they ignore him or mock him. He was clueless about judging them. Since he was getting a chance to meet Anya or Alvin, he didn't refuse them. 

Without uttering a word, he silently entered the gates under the heavy gazes of guards. He followed Dennis and sat in the car in the backseat with Dennis when the latter opened the door for him. Catalina took the shotgun seat in tacit agreement with her husband. 

Neither did they ask Casper anything to impress him or win his favor nor did Casper have anything to tell them. Hence, silence enveloped the car. 

When the couple wasn't on guard against Casper, the four men jogged next to the car without trusting Casper whatsoever. 

As the car slowly made its way, Casper gazed at the mansion, standing majestically like a castle. The snow floating in the air created a surreal atmosphere. Despite knowing Alvin's business was thriving, he couldn't help but feel awe-struck by how much Alvin had achieved in just six years. 

He sniggered at himself when the thought of Alvin taking care of Matthews Industries struck his mind. 

Liam excelled at managing the business, but he hesitated to take risks for expansion. On the other hand, Alvin was a well-rounded businessman. He possessed the knowledge and skills to both lead and drive the growth of the business. 

Shrugging off his thoughts, Casper alighted from the car in front of the mansion and stood face to face with Rob, who was narrowing his eyes at him. 

Rob was in loungewear with a jacket over it. There was no plan for the evening, so he was resting in his room. He rushed out when he got a call saying Casper was in the estate. 

Although they had learned that Miles Johnson was behind the explosion at the archaeological site and Ricardo had a hand in the death of their men, Rob would also place the blame on Casper for giving those opportunities to Miles Johnson and Ricardo. 

His gaze softened as soon as he faced the couple. He wasn't a bit surprised that the Owen couple brought Casper inside with them. They were kind people. "Mr. Owen, Mrs. Owen, you should have informed us. We would have sent a car to pick you up from the station," he politely spoke and received a bag from the guard. 

After flashing a gentle smile at Rob, Catalina and Dennis turned to Casper and took him inside the mansion towards the drawing room. 

"Is Alvin home?" Dennis asked. 

Before Rob could respond, the grim reaper's voice sounded in the hallway. "Little Donut," Alvin snapped at Anya. 

Catalina was startled by the atrocious voice. She rushed to the end of the hallway, and Rob turned to the couple. They saw a slender Bear sprinting towards them, and Alvin coldly ordered the Bear, "Get back to the table." 

Anya flashed a smile at her mother but whined about being treated like a patient. "Ahhh… Alvin… let me meet my parents…" Glancing behind, she was flabbergasted. "Why are you bringing a plate!?" She exclaimed in disbelief. She was welcoming her parents. It was just a matter of two minutes.

But the grim reaper followed her without bothering to tell her that Casper was in the mansion with her parents.

Catalina breathed a sigh, realizing that Alvin was just disciplining her unruly daughter for running away from the dining table. She was pleased to watch Alvin going behind Anya and stuffing her mouth with a spoonful. 

Dennis was a bit shocked to hear Alvin's voice. He relaxed after hearing Anya. He had long back understood that Alvin might have a cold personality and use a hard tone or words, but his anger at Anya was just his pure worry. 

Catalina looked at her daughter from head to toe and chuckled, "What are you wearing?" The clothes looked thick and warm, so she didn't have any complaints. 

Anya proudly announced after swallowing the food, "I'm Mama Bear." She hugged her mother, knowing her parents were worried due to her mission, and arrived to take a look at her. 

Alvin ignored everything and everyone around him. He pulled her away from Catalina's arms. Scooping a spoonful of chicken porridge, he blew on it twice and fed her with a look of displeasure. 

Catalina was giggling watching the two when they saw Zane walking like a gentleman in the hallway but in a bear outfit. Anya announced, "There comes my Baby Bear." 

Zane was holding a glass of water, so he walked at his pace and grinned at Catalina. He had informed them that Anya was back and resting. He didn't expect his grandparents to make a trip as it hadn't been a week since they were together. 

Anya was turning to Dennis when Alvin fed her before letting her go. She almost choked on the food when she noticed Casper, who was standing like nobody. 

Casper was a man who had a strong presence even in a crowd. Ignoring him wasn't easy. She couldn't believe he was silently standing in a corner, unlike his kingly presence. 

Suddenly she felt like a fool in her outfit. She met her father, who held back from asking if she was injured. Reading their gazes of worry, Anya assured her parents, "I'm fit and fine." 

Alvin fed her right after her words and mocked her to let her parents know that she had forgotten to take care of herself. "Yeah, you just fainted for fun." 

He had been asking her to eat from the moment she woke up, but she prioritized taking a shower. He had to quickly blow-dry her hair seeing her weary. Now, he was running behind her to avoid more delay. 

Anya: "…" 

Zane lifted her hand to show to his grandparents, "There are more on her knees." He complained, pointing at dried scratches on her palm. 

Anya's lips twitched uncontrollably. She wanted to smack these chipmunks for making a mountain out of a molehill. She tried to retort, but Alvin fed another spoonful into her mouth. 

Catalina and Dennis smiled, seeing the father and son indulging their daughter. Anyway, they held back from asking anything due to Casper. 

Alvin's indifferent voice sounded, "Mom, Dad, let's have dinner first." Then he slid his finger to her palm and held her hand to take the big bear away. 

Casper: "…" 

'Dad!?' He doesn't even remember Alvin ever calling him Dad. Was it twenty years ago or twenty-five? 

He watched the family interaction like an alien. It was his first time seeing a family being affectionate and happy for little things. 

He had seen many wealthy families, but they were either fake or lacked real emotions. Whereas he saw his apathetic son look angry but worried about his wife and indulging her, ignoring everything around him. 

He understood what Liam was expecting all these years in the Matthews mansion and why Alvin was head over heels for a small-town girl that he didn't think twice about sacrificing his startup. 

Was there a single day he indulged his wife? 

No. He just threw his bank cards at her. 

Was there a single day he smiled looking at his children? 

No. He either ignored them or looked down on them. 

He realized that he was the root of the problem. Busy growing the company, he neglected his family and his life. As a result, he ruined Gianna's life and lost his sons. Now there was no family to protect the reputation.