Empire of the Ring - Chapter 169 - The Agent’s Way (2)

The life of the underworld was something Ashley had dreamed of escaping all her life. Born as a bastard from an affair between an underworld kingpin and a prostitute, Ashley was meant to die even before she was born. The only reason she survived was that her father thought she was a boy.From a young age, she understood that if she wanted to survive in this world of violence—on top of her father’s wife and daughter’s schemes—she had to be useful.So, she made herself a promise: one day, she would escape this world.Ashley almost succeeded… until her father found her again and thrust her into a marriage of convenience with his rival, Dominion, in his beloved daughter’s place.Everyone in the underworld knew Dominion.They were cruel, organized, and simply spawns of evil. And the man who stood above that power, Luciano, was said to be downright diabolical. Just their name alone could make anyone tremble.And this organization was where Ashley now had to survive.To make matters worse, the marriage also came with a child — Luciano’s mute heir.Forced to become the wife of one of the most violent and powerful underworld organizations, and the mother of its future leader, Ashley made a vow.“No matter what, I’ll escape this place!”But she would soon realize it wouldn’t be as simple as that. Not when the feared members of Dominion clung to her feet, begging,“Madam, don’t go!”And when the mute stepson finally spoke, “Mommy, if you’re leaving, please take me with you.”Finally, her diabolical, obsessive, and utterly territorial husband said,“I’ve packed our things. Where should we go?”

Go back to 2000.

Lin Feng didn’t want to disturb the situation, he just wanted to protect the things he cherished.

However, there is no need to explain the open life.

Since it’s all over again, there’s no turning back when you open the bow!

- Description from novelbuddy

On the night of her engagement, Stella Norton, the adopted and unworthy second daughter of James Norton, is accused of infidelity and replaced by her own sister.Humiliated and heartbroken, Stella is cast out of the hall under her father’s orders while her mother looks on.In a daze of pain and betrayal, she wanders into a club, desperate to drown her sorrow—only to fall into the arms of a stranger ~Adrian Carter~ whose presence feels dangerously magnetic.By morning, she wakes to a shocking reality. Adrian holding out a marriage certificate. “Mate, we’re married,” he said.“What mate?”“What marriage?”“We were never school mates, how do you call me mate?” She shrieked.Adrian Carter, the cold and mysterious heir of the Carter Empire had a secret no one knows…he is the Alpha of the most powerful pack in Crown City.But fate doesn’t stop at secrets. As their worlds collide, Stella discovers that her own past is far from ordinary.Hidden truths, prophecies, bonds, and dark forces begin to rise—testing not only their love but their very fate.Will their marriage survive the storm of destiny?Can love survive when destiny itself demands blood and truth?Or will it consume them both?