UNDER HIS RULES

[9] b

Ute looked startled. "Oh... no, no. I'm afraid. You were asked to stay in this room only."

Beatrice's shoulders slumped weakly. "I feel really uncomfortable, Ute. I haven't moved at all."

Ute became conflicted.

"Come on, Ute. Besides, it's just the kitchen. I won't go anywhere."

Beatrice's eyes hoped that Ute would grant her request. No, Beatrice had no plans to escape because from the balcony of her room, she observed that the security in this house was tight. She still valued her life. She didn't want what Sam said earlier to come true.

She was treated like a dog's food in this house.

"Next time, please tell me, Ute."

Ute’s words made Beatrice smile widely. Well... at least she wouldn't be stuck in this room anymore. Whatever Ute was talking about, it seemed to have succeeded in getting Beatrice to move out of Sam's room. Beatrice even screamed with joy.

"Thank you," she said, half hugging Ute.

Beatrice's action made Ute laugh cheerfully. Even though there were two people following them from behind, it didn't bother Beatrice. Whatever their business was that they had to tail her like this. Were they afraid she would escape? Ah... that must be it.

"Oh, by the way, where does Anne work?" Beatrice looked around slowly. There were many people wandering around there. Some had fierce appearances, bare-chested with tattoos, and some seemed to be carrying large bags, who knows what was inside.

"She's over there. In the right wing of this house."

Beatrice frowned. "This house has wings?"

"Yes, Beatrice," Ute said with a little laugh. "We're in the main building. The right wing is for Sam's operational headquarters. The left wing is where everyone who lives here stays."

Beatrice nodded, just listening to Ute’s explanation. While continuing to follow Ute’s lead, they arrived at the kitchen. Beatrice was amazed by the kitchen in this house.

The girl thought that the kitchen would be like a public kitchen used for cooking in large quantities. But she was wrong. Although it looked somewhat messy, the kitchen area and its dining area truly impressed Beatrice.

"Wow!"

Ute smiled happily. "Sam has a passion for food, Beatrice. That's why when he comes home, his first destination is always the kitchen. This is also where he gathers with all his subordinates. There's no distinction here, Beatrice. Everyone mingles together, but still, they have respect and reverence for Sam."

Beatrice fell silent.

"Do you want to help? Can you cook?"

The girl nodded quickly. "Let's give it a try, then. I won't die of boredom."

***[]***

"Did you send what I asked you to?" Sam asked while fixing his black shirt. He didn't need to look at his interlocutor because he knew his words would be listened to attentively.

"Yes, Boss," came the reply.

Sam nodded slowly, tidying his appearance as reflected in the mirror. "Why does it always have to be so neat whenever I meet Alfred? Such a hassle!"

Hugo didn't say much, except for chuckling. "But Boss looks cool in the black shirt."

Sam glanced sharply at Hugo. "Don't talk too much. Is my car ready?"

"Yes, Boss."

"After this, I don't have anything else to do outside, right? Jack hasn't given any updates on the bullet we found?"

"Not yet, Boss. It's a bit difficult to find that information," Hugo said as he brought over the black blazer that Sam would wear. "After meeting Alfred, Boss won't have to worry anymore. I'll take care of the rest."

Sam nodded in response to Hugo's words. However, his eyes showed displeasure when he noticed Hugo focusing on his phone. Earlier, Hugo seemed enthusiastic about helping him. "Playing games again?"

"Why do you always assume I'm playing games whenever I look at my phone?"

Sam sighed. "I don't need to wear a suit like this. I'm not going to meet a religious leader."

Hugo burst into laughter. He couldn't contain his amusement, and even the corners of his eyes felt wet. "You... oh my, Bos. Is there a lamer joke than this?" Nevertheless, Hugo still accepted the blazer that he had previously offered to his boss. "I picked it up from the laundry, you know. It's neatly ironed and smells good too."

"Enough with the banter," Sam grumbled unhappily. "Let's go. I want to go home quickly. Let Ute know and ask her to make a delicious meal for me."

"Understood, Boss," Hugo chuckled with a wide grin. "By the way, speaking of cooking, I've been looking at this." Hugo didn't hesitate to hand over the object he had been observing.

There was a faint smirk on Hugo's face as Sam took his phone. The screen displayed a photo. It had been taken secretly by someone from an epic angle.

Beatrice was in the photo.

Laughing joyfully with a face slightly covered in flour, Beatrice held a dough that she was rolling. It was unclear what she was doing, but it looked like a lot of fun. And the shy young man who worked as a servant in Sam's house, doing light tasks while learning things that Sam would later teach him, they all immersed themselves in that laughter, as if kitchen activities were immensely enjoyable.

Sam, fixated on Beatrice, merely pursed his lips slightly. "Send it to me."

"Okay, Boss." Although there were doubts lingering in Hugo's mind about Beatrice, he couldn't argue too much with Sam.

"Afterwards, delete it from your phone."

"Why, though?"

"Just delete it, Hugo," Sam said with a final tone.

"Come on, even before becoming a girlfriend, you're already so possessive. What if she finds out you've had a crush on her for a long time?"

"You can't reduce your nonsense, can you?"

Hugo laughed again. "I can only give you one warning. Don't show too much that Beatrice is one of your weaknesses. You'll be done for, Sam," Hugo said, patting his boss's shoulder with sympathy. "Learn from past experiences, women can destroy everything."