My Second Marriage with the Mafia Kingpin-Chapter 80: Do You Have A Solution?

A smile tugged at Ashley’s lips as she remembered the confused look on Betty’s face. Lucian, on the other hand, glanced at her.

The two walked quietly back to the mansion, not staying long. It was late, and it seemed Ashley had already gotten what she wanted. She hadn’t said it outright, but it was clear she had a plan. Especially since she didn’t seem worried at all—even when Lucian and Nolan, who had nothing to do with the plantation, had begun to worry as the problem persisted.

"Lu."

She suddenly snapped out of her thoughts and turned to him.

She stepped closer until her shoulder brushed against his, her eyes twinkling as she looked at him expectantly.

"Can I ask you something?" she hummed.

His steps slowed as he turned his head toward her, listening to her ask, "How far can I use the title of your wife?"

His long, thick lashes fluttered as he answered without hesitation, "As far as you can."

"Oh..." she rocked her head, trying to grasp the extent of that answer. Then she asked, "Can I kill with it?"

"As many as you like."

"Are you creating a tyrant of a wife?"

"Are you not yet?"

Her breath hitched, while he bit his tongue at the response that slipped out without thought. Still, he pretended it hadn’t surprised him.

"I’m not a tyrant," she cooed as she smoothly wrapped her arms around his. Acting cute, she pressed her forefinger against her cheek. "I’m the sweet wife. I just need time to ripen to be at my sweetest. I believe I’m very ripe!"

Lucian kept his sharp, dark eyes on the "sweet wife" clinging to him. "Mhm."

"Why did you ask?" he returned the conversation to its original point.

She had never once shown interest in what she could do as the madam of Dominion. It intrigued him. What did she want to do with that authority? How would she use it?

Because, as far as he was concerned, if she wished, she held the same authority as him, within this household and throughout Dominion.

"Hehe," she chuckled. "Because I heard that being your wife means nothing once you get tired of me."

His steps halted instantly, his gaze locking onto her. "Impressive."

"Huh?"

"How some tongues move so unnecessarily," he clarified, his expression calm as a still lake. Yet his words carried unmistakable displeasure toward whoever dared to say such a thing.

To him, it sounded like someone who didn’t need their tongue for much longer.

"Haha! Don’t get angry!" she hopped in front of him, casually wrapping her arms around his waist. Tilting her head up, she held his gaze, her smile wide and bright.

She gave him a small shake, grinning. "I know you won’t get tired of me."

His brows rose, curiosity replacing the irritation in his chest.

"You know why?" she giggled. "Because I won’t let you. I’m actually a very fun person, and as long as you’re married to me, I’ll make it as colorful as possible—until the end of time!"

Moreover, in her previous life, Lucian had only given up after five years. They hadn’t even reached one year in this life.

Lucian blinked.

Until the end of time...

His eyes widened slightly as curiosity flickered through them. That meant... forever, didn’t it?

Even though she had been making efforts to close the gap between them, Ashley had never clearly stated how long she intended to stay. Even if she had, he probably hadn’t paid attention until now.

Before he could respond, his hands lifted, cupping her cheeks. His eyes scanned her face, his heart softer than tofu, and it felt lighter than a feather.

His thumbs pressed into her cheeks, squishing them until her lips puckered. His gaze fell to her red, rounded lips—like cherries—looking soft and sweet just by appearance alone. Indeed, they looked very ripe.

"Lucian," her voice came out muffled through her puckered lips. "You’re going to crush my cheeks if you squeeze too hard."

He swallowed, forcing his gaze back up to meet hers.

"Should I be worried?" he asked suddenly.

Her brows rose.

"The plantation. Nolan was worried after hearing about the problem from the workers."

"Ah. Nope!" she shook her head. "Don’t worry about it."

"Do you have a solution?"

"Of course! I’m the one who poisoned it, after all. You don’t hold poison without an antidote, do you?"

His brows knitted in confusion at her answer.

She laughed at his reaction, her eyes gleaming with mischief.

"I’m not saying I personally poisoned the seedlings," she added, tilting her head. "But I’m the one who opened that opportunity. Lucian, why do you think I rejected Nolan’s suggestion to install CCTV in the plantation?"

"..."

Her laughter grew. "Because... how dare they jinx our marriage? And make me worry that my husband might one day get tired of me?" she pouted slightly, narrowing her eyes. "They’re lucky I’m resourceful. Otherwise, if I told my husband that, they’d end up in body bags."

The husband in question parted his lips, only to close them again, momentarily speechless.

"Don’t worry about it," she added with a wink. "This one, I can handle. You believe in me, right?"

Still quiet, he nodded. "Mhm."

"Though... I might need your help in another way." She wiggled her brows as he stared at her intently.

Ashley rose on her toes, placing her hand beside her mouth as she whispered into his ear. Lucian instinctively lowered his head to listen. When she pulled back, she gave him a knowing look.

Lucian arched a brow, studying her expression. "Alright."

"Yey~!" Ashley jumped and planted a soft kiss on his cheek before he straightened. "Let’s go back now."

She grabbed his hand and skipped ahead, dragging him along.

His gaze lingered on her back, letting her lead him after their brief walk and quiet moment together.

*****

Two days later...

Ashley arrived with Castor, Nelly, and Betty at the spot where Nelly had secretly kept the unhealthy seedlings they had nearly discarded.

"What?" Betty gasped, staring at the now healthy plants. "How did these seedlings recover when the last batch started dying again?"

At that, Castor and Nelly’s expressions darkened as they glanced at Ashley before shifting their attention to Betty.

"Because someone’s been poisoning them," Ashley explained, her eyes glinting as she stared at the seedlings. "That’s why."

Yet, the corners of her lips curved upward as if everything had gone exactly as she planned. And now, it was time to collect some debts.