Chapter 81: This isn’t fair!
Ashley gathered the workers in the plantation, pausing all ongoing tasks—including those tending the garden. Before them were two batches of seedlings: one in decline, and the other as healthy as could be.
Curiosity was evident on everyone’s faces as their gazes darted between the two sets.
"What you’re seeing right now are the seedlings from the last batch and the older ones," Ashley broke the silence, standing before them with Betty, Castor, and Nelly at her side. The trio’s expressions were dark, their faces shadowed.
"These ones..." Ashley trailed off, gesturing toward the healthier trays, "...were part of the discarded plants. But thanks to Nelly, he took a few elsewhere to study what was wrong with them."
Her gaze swept across the crowd. "As you all know, Castor’s team—whom he graciously lent to help with this plantation—are professionals. And they shared their expertise with everyone here."
"And yet," she continued, her voice turning firm, "our seedlings kept dying just like these from the last batch."
"So Nelly wanted to understand what we were doing wrong. But after only a few days of replanting them and giving them the same care as we do in this greenhouse, the dying seedlings were salvaged."
"Or rather..." she corrected, "they became healthier than ever."
Shock spread across the workers’ faces.
The three maids, who had only recently joined, exchanged subtle glances. Their complexions were slightly pale, but with everyone equally stunned, it went unnoticed.
Except by Betty.
Her glare sharpened in their direction, her hands trembling at her sides.
I’m sure it’s them.
"How come!?" one of the gardeners finally stepped forward. "Madam, what’s the problem? Was it the greenhouse humidity?"
Ashley shook her head, then gave Nelly a look and a slight nod.
Nelly cleared his throat and stepped forward. "It’s not the humidity—or the location—that’s the issue."
"Then what is?" another worker exclaimed. "We’ve done everything we could, but somehow—"
"We believe someone has been sabotaging the seedlings," Castor cut in, stepping forward. Unlike his usual demeanor, he wasn’t smiling or friendly. His expression was stern, his voice firm.
"What? Someone’s sabotaging them?"
"How is that possible?"
"Who would do such a thing?"
The workers looked at each other, murmurs spreading rapidly.
Even if not all of them were here willingly, none had imagined someone would dare do something like this.
Ashley let them talk, calmly observing their reactions.
"Madam, are you sure about this?" one of them asked after regaining composure. "Who would even do something like that?"
"Madam, isn’t that a bit rushed?" one of the maids spoke up, her tone cautious. "I don’t think anyone here would do such a thing!"
"She’s right!" another maid from the trio stepped forward. "Everyone has been working hard for these seedlings. Even those of us without experience have done our best to help. Yet now, all of us are being suspected of sabotage!"
As her words echoed, she scanned the crowd and noticed the unease forming. Internally, she smirked before turning back to Ashley with a look of grievance.
She lifted her chin. "This isn’t fair!"
"Then are you saying losing millions every day is fair?"
To everyone’s shock, a sudden voice—cold and unmistakable—cut through the air.
The entire plantation froze right then and there. Then, as one, they turned.
Lucian had arrived while Nolan followed a step behind him.
Even Betty, Castor, and Nelly stiffened at the sight of the big boss entering the plantation.
Lucian had been around during the garden’s construction, but he had never stepped inside before. He never even said anything about it, but his mere presence was enough to make everyone uneasy.
"Ma—Master?" the maid who had spoken earlier staggered back. Her face drained of color as Lucian’s gaze landed directly on her.
She immediately lowered her head, not daring to meet his eyes.
"Oh, you’re here!" Ashley chirped as she skipped to Lucian’s side, smiling so sweetly as if she wasn’t discussing something important to them. "What honor do I owe you?"
She fluttered her lashes, acting cute right in front of the most feared man in Dominion.
Even Castor swallowed hard and subtly stepped back, realizing he was standing far too close.
Nolan smiled politely. "The Master and I were passing by when we heard a commotion, so we came to check. How are things here, Madam?"
"Everything’s alright, Nolan," Ashley said with a bright smile, gesturing toward the seedlings. "We just figured out the problem."
Nolan’s brows lifted. "Is that so?" His tone betrayed his curiosity.
"What seems to be the issue?" Lucian asked.
His gaze slid toward the maids Ashley had specifically requested to work here. Under his scrutiny, they kept their heads lowered, their earlier boldness gone.
Even those who weren’t involved felt nervous. If Lucian stepped in, this situation could escalate beyond control. Being removed from the project would be the least of their worries. It would be their necks on the line!
With his question hanging in the air, everyone turned to Ashley.
To their surprise, she smiled.
"Nothing!" she said sweetly. "It’s not a big deal. Don’t worry about it."
Confusion spread across every face—even Betty, Castor, and Nelly.
Ashley and Lucian held each other’s gaze. He lifted his hand to pinch her cheek, but she caught his wrist before he could.
"Don’t worry," she repeated softly, looping her arm through his before turning back. "Betty, brief them first, alright?"
And just like that, she dragged Lucian away.
Nolan lingered for a moment, realizing he’d been left behind.
"Oh." He cleared his throat and turned to the group. "Best of luck with the seedlings."
Then he hurried after them.
Silence fell over the plantation as everyone watched them leave.
A moment later, one of the gardeners whispered,
"Did the madam just lie... to protect us?"
The others frowned, exchanging uncertain looks. Even the maids were caught off guard.
Getting Lucian involved would have exposed the truth much more easily, but it was a double-edged sword.
Everyone knew the big boss well.
If he lost trust in someone, everyone connected to the issue would be discarded. That was why teamwork in Dominion wasn’t optional; it was survival.
Meanwhile, Betty snapped out of her thoughts, forcing herself to focus. She poked Castor’s side, pulling both him and Nelly from their daze.
"Anyway," Betty said, stepping forward. "We will find out who’s behind this. And rest assured—whoever it is will pay."
Her gaze swept across the crowd, lingering just a bit too long on the three maids she suspected.
"Be grateful the madam is still protecting you," she added coldly. "But once we confirm who’s responsible..."
Her voice lowered. "...you will be dealt with accordingly, and it’s not going to be pretty."