My Second Marriage with the Mafia Kingpin

"It seems I made a mistake... my bad."

A moment of stillness fell over the hall once more as everyone watched Lucian stand there like an innocent man. Meanwhile, the faint sound of wine dripping from Carmella echoed in the background.

Then...

"Pffft—" someone in the crowd stifled a laugh, snapping everyone out of their shock.

Others followed, chuckling at the looks on Carmella’s and Isabella’s faces. Just moments ago, they had all thought Ashley might extend them some undeserved grace for whatever reason. But this world was unforgiving and humiliating someone once didn’t always feel like enough.

But this?

It might be petty, but it still felt like justice.

Shyaan cleared her throat, stopping herself from laughing. Then she glanced at the guards nearby.

"Take them away," she ordered gracefully.

"Yes, Madam." The guards nodded and acted promptly, approaching the mother-and-daughter duo. Though they were still members of the Di Carpio family, the guards remained polite even as they escorted them out.

But no matter how polite they were, the humiliation hung thick in the air.

"No..." Isabella whispered as she was dragged away, watching Lucian walk toward Ashley without sparing her a glance. "This is not..."

But no one stopped.

Before they could fully leave, Shyaan spoke again.

"I don’t know how those people were granted entry into this place. So, for the person—or people—who invited them, I’d like to see you later."

Her voice was even, but her words could make—or break—someone in this industry.

That was the last thing Isabella and Carmella heard before they were dragged out of the function hall and thrown beyond the premises.

*****

Meanwhile, inside the hall, Lucian stopped before Ashley and Shyaan, inclining his head slightly.

"I apologize for the mistake," he said in his natural, cold baritone. "I hope it didn’t trouble you."

Ashley narrowed her eyes at him. How could he lie with such a straight face?

"Oh, don’t worry about it," Shyaan waved it off with a chuckle. "You were busy and probably didn’t see the entire situation. It’s easy to make assumptions."

Hearing that, Ashley glanced at Shyaan, who was playing along with the lie. It wasn’t as if they needed to, but this was simply how things were handled in these circles.

There’s still a lot I need to learn about the world of the elite, she thought, watching Lucian exchange small talk with Shyaan. This isn’t the last event we’re attending... there will be more later.

"Well, anyway, both of you, follow me," Shyaan said, drawing their attention. "I’d like to introduce you to some people."

With that, she smiled and nodded before turning on her heel and walking back to the group she had been with earlier.

Lucian and Ashley didn’t follow immediately. Instead, they watched her leave before he turned to face Ashley.

"Are you alright?" he asked, offering his arm.

Ashley narrowed her eyes slightly before placing her hand on it. "You didn’t have to do that."

"Did it bother you?" he asked as they began walking after Shyaan. His brow lifted slightly as he shot her a sidelong glance, only to see her lips curl into a smile.

A soft chuckle escaped her as she leaned closer. "I would’ve done it if you didn’t." She winked, her heart nearly stopping when she caught him smirk in amusement.

"Still proud of me?" she asked, tilting her head and briefly resting it on his shoulder.

Lucian studied her quietly, his steps measured. "Always."

Her lips broke into a bright smile. She looked up at him, lifting her head from his shoulder.

"Eyes ahead," he said, guiding her gently.

Ashley walked beside him, her head slightly turned toward him, eyes fixed on his profile. Her smile lingered, even as she tried to suppress it until a quiet laugh slipped out.

This time, he glanced at her. "Hmm?"

"Nothing," she shook her head, squeezing his arm lightly as she finally looked forward, still smiling.

Deep in her heart, she felt grateful.

Grateful that Isabella couldn’t control herself. Grateful that Carmella couldn’t restrain herself.

She was glad they would always find fault in her, always try to humiliate her at every opportunity.

Because if not for that, Ashley wouldn’t have had the chance to correct her past mistakes.

She wouldn’t have had the opportunity to stand her ground, to protect the foolish Ashley of the past. The little girl who had once wondered why everything was happening to her. The broken innocence they had left behind.

Standing here, facing them, might not be enough to atone for the pain she had caused Lucian.

But it was enough to make her believe... that things would be different this time.

If I just do it right, she thought, tightening her hold on his arm, things will be better. Not just now, but for our future.

Her second grip made his brow lift slightly as he glanced at her. All he saw was her radiant smile, one she seemed to be trying to hold back.

His gaze softened, a faint smile forming as his other hand came to rest over hers.

"The party has just begun," he said quietly. "Don’t waste all your energy smiling."

"I’m just appreciating my husband," she quipped, before her eyes lit up. "Oh, right—where was he?"

"Hmm?"

"Marshal," she clarified. "If those two were here, I thought he’d be here too."

This was a major event. Knowing Marshal, he wouldn’t miss such an opportunity.

Lucian shrugged lightly. "I heard he had some matters to attend to and stepped out briefly."

"Oh," she nodded. "That makes sense."

With that, they didn’t dwell on it further.

Soon, they reached Shyaan, who was now surrounded by several elderly figures and other influential guests, ready to introduce the couple.

This time, Lucian and Ashley separated. Not because people were scrambling for their attention, but because they had their own purposes: Ashley to expand her business, and Lucian for Dominion.

As the event carried on, the earlier incident faded into background chatter. Some forget it entirely, others laugh about it as gossip.

Meanwhile, a man leaned casually against a pillar.

A glass of wine rested in his hand as he watched Lucian and Ashley from afar.

A chuckle escaped him before fading into a smirk.

"Interesting."