[Black Dragon Corporation]

The moment Ashley stepped into her office, she halted.

Two people were already inside.

Gustav, who had entered with her, frowned.

Nikki and Tinie sat in the office.

"Madam—"

Gustav stopped when Ashley raised a hand.

Without a word, she walked in.

At the same time, Nikki rose gracefully to her feet. Tinie, who had been standing beside the couch all along, straightened.

"Madam," Nikki greeted with a pleasant smile. "Tinie and I wanted to greet you first thing this morning, but it seems we arrived a little too early."

Or indirectly, she was saying Ashley had arrived late.

Ashley stopped before her, her eyes settling on the beautiful woman.

Nikki’s features were as mature as they were elegant. Her large curls cascaded over her shoulders, and despite the smart-casual attire she wore, the graceful curves beneath were impossible to miss.

She was gorgeous.

Ashley knew that better than anyone.

It was one of the reasons why standing before Nikki wasn’t easy for most women. Combined with her accomplishments and natural poise, Nikki carried herself with an effortless confidence.

"I hope you don’t mind us waiting in the Master’s office," Nikki continued politely. "It was simply a force of habit. However, if there are new rules in place, please let us know."

Ashley smiled back.

The smile never reached her eyes.

"I already instructed Gustav to get both of you settled," she said, briefly glancing at Tinie. "He’ll assign your work shortly."

Nikki’s smile widened in satisfaction.

"Thank you."

Ashley turned toward her desk.

She had barely taken a step when Nikki spoke again.

"Thank you for accepting us here." Nikki’s gaze settled on Ashley’s back. "We’ll do our best."

Her smile stretched further before she glanced at Tinie.

Tinie nodded and moved toward the door alongside her.

As they passed Gustav, Nikki slowed and shot him a sideways glance.

"I’m looking forward to working with you, Gustav."

A smirk tugged at her lips.

Gustav’s expression darkened instantly. A thin layer of frost coated his eyes.

Then they were gone.

"Hah." Gustav exhaled sharply and glared at the closed door.

Back then, he hadn’t disliked Nikki.

If anything, he had approved of her becoming Dominion’s Madam.

After all, she had been close to Lucian. She was the only woman who could touch him.

But after everything that had happened recently, Gustav’s opinion of her had changed.

Especially after Nikki chose the High Chamber when she believed Lucian was dying.

That was something Gustav would never forget. Even if he understood her reasoning, a part of him still viewed it as betrayal.

Had Lucian truly died, Gustav wouldn’t have blamed her.

But Lucian was alive.

And Gustav would never forget how quickly she had turned her back on them.

"Madam."

Gustav turned and strode toward the desk.

Ashley remained standing beside her chair, flipping through the documents waiting for her.

"If we gather the Master’s people, there’s a chance we can reverse this," he suggested. "Lukas and I will support you. It’ll strengthen your position, even if only a little."

"No." Ashley shook her head while scanning a folder. "Let them be."

"But—"

"Gustav." She glanced up. "The High Chamber sent those two here for a reason. We already know that."

She lowered her gaze back to the documents.

"And before they sent them, you and I both know they already prepared a grenade to throw at us the moment I resisted."

Gustav’s breath hitched. His hand curled into a fist, his jaw tightening.

"If we respond exactly the way they expect us to, no work will get done," Ashley continued as she sat down. "Everything will be delayed, and by the time my husband returns, the workload might kill him."

"He survived poison." Her voice remained calm. "I’m not letting this company kill him."

She paused. "Or me."

Then she looked at Gustav.

"Or you."

Gustav frowned as the corner of her lips slowly curled into a wicked smirk.

"What... are you planning now?" he blurted out before he could stop himself.

"The High Chamber sent them here immediately after I delayed one of the major projects they’d been waiting on."

She straightened the documents on her desk.

Gustav nodded.

The delay had opened the door for accusations of incompetence.

Personally, he never believed Ashley was incompetent.

If she were, they would be dealing with far greater problems than unwanted guests from the High Chamber.

"Transfer full authority over that project to Nikki."

Ashley rose from her seat and headed toward the small pantry corner of the office. She stopped and faced Gustav directly.

"I want everything documented."

"By full authority, you mean—"

"Everything." She nodded. "The approvals. The decisions. Everything."

Gustav frowned. "You can’t do that. You’re the highest authority here. This is a major project. You can’t simply hand over approval rights to her."

Even if it was only one project, the political damage would still affect Ashley.

"It’ll hurt me regardless of whether I keep the authority or give it away." Ashley smiled faintly. "If I keep it, they’ll accuse me of stealing credit. As if that’s how any of this works."

Of course, such accusations only existed because Ashley was involved.

If Lucian were sitting in her seat, nobody would dare.

The High Chamber wouldn’t have even attempted this if Lucian were present.

Then again, perhaps they had realized Ashley could be a little unhinged.

Now they were testing exactly how far into hell she was willing to go.

Ashley walked past Gustav and began preparing herself a cup of coffee.

Gustav remained unconvinced.

"Madam, this is a mistake."

"Gustav." She smiled while staring at the coffee machine. "You should trust me once in a while."

"Please reconsider," he said. "I’ll relay the order tomorrow morning. If you haven’t changed your mind by then, I won’t argue anymore."

After saying that, he lowered his head and turned to leave.

He had only taken a few steps when Ashley spoke again.

"Gustav." She twisted slightly to face him. "I learned something last night."

She waited until he looked back. Then she crossed her arms and smiled faintly.

"What I learned is that..." Her smile deepened. "...I can kill someone without staining my hands."

Gustav froze.

"It’s not I who’s making a mistake," she continued, her eyes glinting dangerously.

"The people making a mistake are the ones who thought they could walk into hell..." Her eyelids lowered. "...and not get burned alive."

Silence filled the office.

"Pass the order," she said. "I’m not changing my mind."

Gustav studied her carefully.

Even if someone put a gun to her head right now, he doubted she would back down.

And deep in his heart, he realized she had earned the trust she was asking for.

"Very well." He nodded. "I’ll pass the order."

With that, Gustav turned to leave.

Then another thought crossed his mind. He stopped and looked back.

"You won’t literally kill them, will you?"

Ashley laughed. She shook her head and turned back toward her coffee.

"No." Then she glanced over her shoulder, smirking. "But they’ll wish I did."