Governing the She-Devil

7 Extra Handsome

It took Saint three days before she regained her strength. Honestly, it took her three days before she could walk properly. That was when she dared to go back to the world.

Saint walked nonchalantly, passing by the well-maintained dwarf English boxwood hedges. Some security personnel eyed her cautiously. Instead of explaining her presence, she saluted and winked at them.

Three large Labradors ran and tackled her to the ground. Her giggles, accompanied by the growling of the dogs, erupted through the high ceiling of the mansion. It had been a month since she visited the place.

"Castor, Lancelot, Merlin!"

The dogs stood in a line right after the loud voice echoed, reprimanding their unpleasant behaviour. "You too, Saint."

Theodore's face showed displeasure. How can he raise such an unrestrained child? If his wife had been there to help him raise their child, Saint would have been a prim and proper lady just like her deceased mother.

Saint growled, mimicking the dogs, to spite her father more. That was when her eyes settled on the very familiar man beside her father. "You didn't even invite me for a family meeting. How dare you, father?"

Theodore waved his hand to dismiss her and ushered Eli out of the mansion. Her cousin gave her a grin once he passed her.

"Asshole," she snickered.

"Saint Sola, language!" her father immediately reprimanded her. She stuck her tongue out and slumped on the nearby sofa, calling the dogs to join her.

After a minute or two, her father came back inside the mansion with the same displeasure etched on his face.

"You should stay away from Eli. I don't like him." Her voice came out with seriousness and weight. All she has now is her father.

"I don't like you either. Should I stay away from you then?" Theodore casually retorted while taking the seat opposite her.

"I'm your daughter."

Theodore shook his head in disbelief. He will never understand where Saint got her attitude. "Why are you here?"

"This is my house too. What is Eli doing here?" she asked instead. It was common to see Eli around his father. After all, they both work for the government and are connected through Ania, her mother.

"He wants to join my party list for the campaign." Theodore's face became serious. It was a topic he meant to discuss with Saint. Fortunately, she came of her own will.

"He's running for the same position Sandro is running for, right?" Saint almost cursed under her breath. Her marriage was all about her father's politics, and now, would her father tell her that he was taking Eli under his wing?

"Eli is family."

"Sandro is family too!"

Seeing her enraged reaction, Theodore couldn't help but wonder about her plans. When he proposed the marriage between her and the Bardins, she instantly agreed without a second thought. Knowing his daughter, Saint, wasn't someone he could even control. And now, she was fighting for Sandro's position on the party list. "What are you up to?"

Her eyes flashed panic, which she concealed hastily. "Nothing. You asked me to marry Sandro for the sake of your politics. I don't understand why you are taking Eli's side now," she scoffed.

Theodore pinched the bridge of his nose. Even hearing his daughter's voice is too much stress for him. "I'm not taking Eli's side. I called him to personally reject his proposal. After all, he has the full support of the opposing party."

Saint's breathing calmed down. She couldn't let Eli win. "Well, that's good to hear. You're getting smarter at making decisions now, dad." She grinned from ear to ear.

"Are you in love?" He didn't bother giving attention to his daughter's teasing and asked the most awaited question.

"No, I'm not." Saint's voice came out defensively.

"Why are you protecting Sandro so much?" he pried. He wanted to know his daughter's plans. Is she using them for her amusement?

"Of course, I'm his wife!" she answered while laughing at her father's absurd question. She stood up, readying her stance to leave. "I'd die for him if I needed to."

That was when Theodore realized the seriousness of his daughter's scheme, whatever it was. But it was too late for him to ask her to elaborate. Saint was already heading outside the mansion.

Saint drove her car out of the private property. Seeing her father's face for a while was great relaxation. She hoped her father felt the same.

After minutes of driving, she noticed a white sedan tailing her. Her instincts immediately kicked in. She drove passed numerous stoplights and took a different turn at every given opportunity.

Stopping at a red light, she took her phone and called Lilith. "Lil, AXZ 144."

"On it." And then, Lili dropped the call.

Once the ten-wheeler truck approached her lane, she swiftly drifted in front of it, making a smooth U-turn. The lights signalled to go, and the car following her was stuck in the traffic. She smirked and drove back home.

Her phone pinged the moment she climbed down her scarlet-painted car. It was a text from Lili containing information about the white sedan.

It was Eli. "I never knew he had bought a new car."

'Still stuck in that traffic?' She texted her cousin to taunt him. Their relationship was always indifferent.

'I'll get you next time. Maybe I should start with that bastard husband of yours.'

Saint shrugged her shoulders. Eli's threats are no stranger to her. She pocketed her phone and skipped inside the Bardin's manor as if nothing had happened.

Her happy skipping ceased when she saw a very serious-looking Sandro Bardin. In his hands were glossy brochures. He seemed to carefully scrutinize them. Wasn't he supposed to be working at the city hall today? They don't see each other most days, Sandro being home was a surprise.

"You're here. Please, take a seat." Saint sat on one of the couches and looked directly at him. He always looked serious, but his caring nature would seep out of his facade. "You look extra handsome today," she praised him.