My Second Marriage with the Mafia Kingpin-Chapter 78: Just Please, Stop Dying.

Days later, every gardener and worker in the plantation gathered inside. They stared at the seedlings in horror.

"What... what’s going on?" Betty’s voice trembled as she bit her lip, her heart lodged in her throat. "Why do they keep dying?" 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

"I don’t know anymore," the gardener sighed heavily, checking the trays. "Everything should be fine."

The humidity and moisture inside the makeshift plantation — the greenhouse — were maintained at the proper levels to keep the seedlings healthy. They had also been extra careful ever since the problem first appeared.

However, despite all the precautions, the situation was only getting worse.

Even the plants that weren’t particularly sensitive were beginning to show signs of decline. There were a few possible explanations, but no one wanted to jump to conclusions. There were too many factors, and perhaps something had been overlooked.

Meanwhile, Ashley crossed her arms as she studied the dead seedlings. Her eyes narrowed, her tongue pressing against the inside of her cheek.

"Madam," Betty called anxiously, turning to her. "What should we do?"

At once, everyone turned to Ashley, waiting for her decision.

"Madam, if this keeps up, I’m afraid we’ll have to start from the beginning," the head contractor, Castor, said, clearly stressed after staying up all night with his team trying to figure out a solution.

"Starting over isn’t a problem," Ashley replied calmly, only for Betty to interject,

"But Madam, didn’t you say you need samples by a specific date?" Betty’s voice wavered. "If we start over, we might not make it."

Castor nodded. "Betty’s right, Madam. Growing these takes time—we can’t rush them."

"It’s okay," Ashley sighed. But her expression was sharper than usual. Her gaze swept over the seedlings. "Throw them out and start with the new ones. The ones ready for transfer, move them today."

Conflict flashed across everyone’s faces, guilt weighing heavily on them. They had done their best, yet it still wasn’t enough. Ashley had trusted them, and somehow, they felt they had failed her.

"Don’t worry," she said with a smile.

But this time, it was different.

It didn’t carry the same warmth that usually filled the space. It didn’t reach her eyes. And yet, the sincerity behind it was unmistakable.

"Before I started this, I was already told I’d face challenges like this," she continued, nodding reassuringly. "And as for my deadline, that’s not something you need to worry about."

"Madam..." Betty bit her lip harder, the corners of her eyes turning red.

"Don’t cry, Betty," Ashley said softly, turning her gaze back to the seedlings. A faint glint flickered in her eyes as she added, "You’re not doing anything wrong."

*

*

*

With Ashley’s orders, some workers carried out the withered seedlings with heavy hearts. Others resumed their tasks, while Betty stayed behind to supervise, making sure no mistakes were made.

As for Ashley, she stepped out of the plantation with the head contractor and one of his trusted gardeners.

"Tell me." She broke the silence as soon as they were outside, turning to face them. "What do you think is happening to the seedlings?"

Castor raised his brows in surprise. "Madam, I’m not really sure—"

"Not you," Ashley cut in, jerking her chin toward the gardener. "You’re the expert. I’m sure you have an opinion."

Castor frowned and turned to his best gardener. "Nelly?"

The young man lowered his head, glancing between Ashley and Castor. Since the problem began, Nelly had been closely monitoring the seedlings. At first, they all assumed it was part of the natural process. After all, not every seedling survives.

But what didn’t make sense was that nearly half had withered within just a few days. Especially when they had been given better care than ever before.

"Madam, I don’t want to cause any misunderstanding—and I might be wrong," Nelly said cautiously, keeping his head lowered. "But I think... everyone is thinking the same thing I do."

He cleared his throat and briefly met Ashley’s gaze. "It’s impossible for half of the seedlings to die like that. Especially when some of them were healthier just days ago."

"You’re saying...?" Ashley arched a brow. "Someone is deliberately poisoning them?"

Castor’s breath hitched as his face paled. Nelly remained silent, but that silence was answer enough.

"I knew it," Ashley murmured, glancing at the workers carrying the dead plants away. "Nelly, was it?"

Both men straightened.

"Do me a favor," she continued, her tone calm but firm. "Do you think you can salvage the remaining seedlings?"

"I’m not entirely sure, Madam," Nelly admitted. "But I can try. Some of them are only just starting to weaken."

"Good." Ashley nodded. "Take some with you."

"Huh?"

"The unhealthy ones—take them with you. They won’t survive if they stay here," she said. "I’ll keep a few here. If you’re right, then the ones with you will survive... while the ones here will continue to die."

Ashley faced them directly. "You are not to tell anyone about this. Understood?"

Castor and Nelly exchanged glances before nodding.

"Yes, Madam," Castor replied quietly.

"I’ll do my best," Nelly added.

"You don’t need to do your best," Ashley said as she turned away. "Just treat them the same."

Nelly lowered his head. "Yes."

"Also, Castor, count the seedlings that died," she added with a shallow smile, looking at the man. "I want to know the exact number."

*****

Later that evening, Betty remained in the plantation, crouched in front of the seedlings.

"Please... just grow, okay?" she whispered, as if begging them. "The gardeners said you’re sick. I don’t know what else to do. Just... please stop withering."

Tears pooled in her eyes. She hadn’t been sleeping well ever since the problem started, her anxiety growing worse by the day.

Even if she wasn’t the one planting or tending them, she was overseeing the entire process. It was her responsibility to make sure everything ran smoothly. So when things went wrong, the burden naturally fell on her shoulders.

"The madam is so kind not to blame me," she whispered, sniffing as she wiped her eyes. "So please... stop dying."

She stayed there until exhaustion finally forced her to return to the mansion.

Little did she know, as she walked away, three figures emerged from the shadows at a distance.

Vile smirks spread across their faces as they chuckled among themselves.

"Look at her, crying over something so stupid," one of the maids sneered. "Serves her right."

"Did she really think being in charge meant she could act all high and mighty?" another added.

"Let’s see how long she keeps that position," the last one scoffed. "Soon, that woman will lose her patience. And Betty?" She smirked. "She’ll be the first one kicked out."

The trio laughed quietly before slipping into the night, using the darkness as cover.

They made their way back toward the plantation... to continue what they had been doing for the past few nights.

Poisoning the seedlings.