My Second Marriage with the Mafia Kingpin-Chapter 53: Today, She’s Done For

"Nolan."

Nolan, who was busily giving instructions to the butlers, turned at Ashley’s call.

"Madam?" he responded. "Is the young master sleeping?"

"Yep!" she nodded. "By the way, Nolan, where’s the big boss?"

"The master already left, Madam. Why? Do you need anything?"

Ashley puffed her cheeks, hesitation clear in her eyes.

"Madam, whatever you need," Nolan said. "Please don’t hesitate. The master is not here, but if there’s anything you need or want, I can help you with it."

"I know, Nolan, but the thing is... only Lucian can give me what I need right now," she clicked her tongue lightly before stepping closer to him. "Nolan, I promised Primo I’d buy him something."

"Oh," Nolan nodded in understanding. "Well, I can ask someone to get it for you."

"But I told Primo I’d get it!" she stressed each word. "I promised I’d give it to him once he wakes up."

Distress was clear on her face, her hands on her hips, her gaze drifting as if searching for another solution. Then she turned back to Nolan.

"Can you call him?"

Nolan hesitated for a second before nodding.

"I can try," he said. "But I’m not sure if he’ll answer. The master is busy today."

"Let’s just try, okay? He might answer if it’s from you," she hummed, clasping her hands together, her eyes twinkling expectantly. "It’s the first time Primo asked me for something, and I don’t want to disappoint him."

Hearing Primo’s name, Nolan let out a quiet sigh and smiled.

At least she’s not acting on her own and wants the master to know, he thought.

With that, Nolan and Ashley went to the mansion’s lobby and tried calling Lucian. They tried three times, but it only rang.

"Still no answer?" she asked from the couch, watching Nolan shake his head. "Damn it."

A deep exhale escaped her as she bit her lip, pondering what else she could do. Seeing her reaction, Nolan felt a faint heaviness settle in his chest.

Since Ashley’s "change," he had never completely dismissed the possibility that she had simply changed her strategy. But after everything—after all the chances she had during the trip with Lucian, how she helped Dominion gain a powerful ally, her tantrum that "accidentally" saved Dominion from what could have been a disaster, and now nursing Primo—Nolan wanted to take a leap of faith.

Give her the benefit of the doubt, Nolan, he thought. Things might be better if we all did. Besides, the madam has always been clear about her intentions. Perhaps... she truly has changed.

Nolan drew a deep breath and carefully sat down beside her.

"How about I go out with you, Madam?" he suggested cautiously.

"Huh?" Ashley paused, turning her head toward him.

Once they were face-to-face, Nolan smiled. "I also don’t want to disappoint the young master, and I don’t want him to think the master is always the reason he can’t get what he wants."

"But Nolan, won’t we get in trouble if we go out without telling the big boss?"

"I won’t," he shook his head. "I’ve worked for Dominion since the master was young. He won’t get angry at me without hearing my reason."

Ashley blinked, her eyes fixed on him. "No, Nolan. It’s fine. I think with Lucian’s influence, we could get the game without a problem. I’ll just tell Primo I can’t get it today."

"No, Madam," Nolan shook his head. "The young master takes promises seriously. If you’ve given your word, he will hold on to it."

"But..."

"Don’t worry," Nolan cut in with a reassuring smile. "As long as I’m with you, the master will not get angry."

Ashley bit her lip as she considered it, clearly torn. Seeing her hesitation only solidified Nolan’s decision.

"I’ve got you, Madam," he said, nodding. "Let’s fulfill the young master’s wish."

"Nolan..." she whispered, falling silent for a moment before nodding with a bright smile. "Then let’s make it quick."

*****

Meanwhile, Lucian, who was seated in the backseat of the car, stared out the window, unaware that his phone in his suit pocket had lit up one last time, displaying a call from Nolan.

His mind drifted back to the image of Ashley and Primo sharing the bed the night before, before he left them alone. But despite the warmth of that memory, there was something about today that left a lingering uneasiness in his rotten heart.

"Gustav," he called, his eyes still fixed on the window. "About the meeting with Marshal..."

Gustav, who was seated in the front passenger seat, glanced back. "Our men are already in the area where the meeting will be held to ensure he doesn’t pull off whatever tricks he’s thought of this time."

"I see," Lucian nodded slightly, but the uneasiness in his chest remained.

I wonder... why does today feel so odd?

*****

At the same time, somewhere in the Di Carpio territory...

Isabella stood before a full-body mirror, donning a beautiful, fitted dress that hugged her hourglass figure. Her lips curled into a satisfied smile, pleased with the reflection staring back at her.

"Miss Isa."

Isabella’s thoughts halted at the maid’s call, and she turned to look at her.

"Sir June is here."

"Let him in," Isabella ordered. The maid nodded before leaving the room.

A moment later, a man stepped in with a smile.

"Isabella," June greeted, stopping by the door, momentarily stunned by her beauty. The tips of his ears reddened as he watched her approach.

She chuckled. "June, why are you looking at me like that?" she hummed. "Is there something wrong with my attire?"

"N — no. It’s... it’s just..." He cleared his throat, trying to focus. "You’re so pretty, Isabella."

"Haha. Oh, June." She covered her lips with the back of her hand as she let out a light laugh. "Thank you. Anyway, June, thank you for helping Ashley."

His smile widened. "You don’t have to thank me, Isabella. Ashley is like a sister to me. Besides... knowing how worried you’ve been about her, of course, I want to help."

Isabella’s smile softened as she clasped his hand with both of hers.

"It’s going to be dangerous," she muttered, but all he did was shake his head.

"Once I take her away, even Dominion won’t be able to touch us."

"I’ll do my best to protect you too, June," she promised, earning a genuine smile from him.

But what June didn’t see was the glint that flickered across her eyes for a split second.

Because today, Isabella had other plans—and they had nothing to do with helping Ashley or June.

Today, that idiot Ashley was done for.