Chapter 119: Don’t You Remember Me?
Minutes ago...
"Oh, dear," Shyaan stood before Ashley, smiling. "You are so sweet to bring these souvenirs for me!"
Ashley chuckled. "Auntie, how can I send you off empty-handed?"
"Haha!"
"Auntie Shyaan, take care on your way home," Ashley expressed politely. "Thank you for inviting me again to the event and introducing me to people I can learn from. The next time you come here, I’ll show you around."
"I’ll take you up on that offer next time." Shyaan nodded in satisfaction. "Better yet, if you ever come to my place, I’ll show you around. Bring your little boy with you. I’m sure he’ll get along with my granddaughter."
"Of course!"
Both women chuckled, talking some more before Shyaan boarded. Then Ashley perked up a bit.
"Right, Auntie, once you land, some men from Dominion will be there to welcome you," she said, watching Shyaan’s brows knit. Ashley’s smile stretched wider as she glanced at the bodyguards standing nearby.
"Because of what happened last night, I’m a little worried," she added. "The Di Carpios are still the Di Carpios."
Shyaan snorted. "You don’t have to worry about me, dear. The Di Carpios might try, but I’m certain they wouldn’t be a problem."
"I know you’ll be fine, Auntie," Ashley said, lowering her head. "I do not underestimate that. But I’m a little worried that he’d shift his displeasure to... them."
Her eyes slid to the bodyguards, causing them to raise their brows. They had already voiced their concerns to Shyaan, but the madam reassured them that she would hire more security. Still, hearing that Dominion would accompany them—even if only temporarily—was far more reassuring.
Shyaan’s eyes softened, while her bodyguards looked at Ashley with appreciation.
"Dear, you didn’t have to." Shyaan reached out and held Ashley’s hand. "But I truly appreciate it."
Ashley maintained her smile. "The incident happened in our territory. It is only right."
Shyaan’s heart softened, her appreciation for the young lady deepening. She already liked Ashley, but the more she spoke with her, the more endearing she found her. It was no wonder Tommy and Liza had warmed up to Ashley so easily.
Even the guards no longer saw Ashley as just another business partner of their boss, but as a kind benefactor. It made them think... Dominion wasn’t all that bad. If Ashley were the matriarch, there was no way Dominion could be as terrible as the rumors claimed.
With that, Ashley stayed with them until it was time for Shyaan to board her private flight home. She remained in her spot, watching them leave until they were out of sight.
"Hah," she huffed, smacking her lips with a smile. "Now I don’t have to worry about them."
Nodding, Ashley turned on her heel to leave. Her smile stretched further as she recalled the relief on Shyaan’s bodyguards’ faces. Clearly, they had already been worried about what Marshal might do.
"Ah, I should ask Lu what he wants," she whispered, taking her phone out.
Her steps slowed as she typed her message to Lucian. But as she did, she accidentally bumped into someone. Ashley instinctively stomped her foot back to keep herself from falling.
Ashley may not have fallen, but the papers that fluttered around her and scattered on the floor snapped her out of her thoughts.
"Ah! Sorry, sorry!" she glanced at the person she bumped into apologetically. "Sorry! Let me—"
Ashley tucked her phone into her pocket before picking up the papers one by one. She gathered them in her hand, but as she reached for another, she paused when another hand moved to pick it up.
A deep line formed between her brows as she noticed the snake tattoo on the back of the person’s hand, trailing to his wrist and disappearing beneath his sleeve. Ashley narrowed her eyes, her breathing halting for a second.
She recognized it.
How?
Well, some time ago, during a mission... that last mission where she was almost arrested and left to rot in jail before Scott found her and sent her off to marry Lucian—she dealt with people who carried the same tattoo, with that unique pattern in its scales.
White Serpent Brotherhood.
The smile on Ashley’s face instantly faded, replaced by a flicker of danger in her eyes. That, however, disappeared as she straightened and faced the person.
"Sorry," she said, though her smile didn’t reach her eyes.
Slowly, her gaze sharpened, studying the man wearing a beige-white suit with a few buttons undone. With his neck exposed, the large body of the snake tattoo could be seen coiling along its side.
His hair was dyed silver, his eyes hidden behind sunglasses.
Ashley simply glanced at him, not letting her thoughts show on her expression.
She knew the White Serpent Brotherhood.
From what she knew, all its members carried the same snake symbol tattoo. And the larger the tattoo, the higher their position. The man’s tattoo extended across the back of his hand and even up to the side of his neck.
That told her everything she needed to know for now.
But why is a member of the White Serpent Brotherhood in Dominion’s territory?
Ashley kept her polite smile and nodded. "Sorry, I wasn’t looking," she said, handing him the papers she had picked up.
"It’s alright," the man replied, his voice low, carrying a natural slyness. He took the papers, catching her nod before she turned her back on him.
The moment Ashley turned away, a dangerous glint flickered in her eyes. At this point, she could only think of one thing: tell Lucian.
The White Serpent Brotherhood was a massive organization. Although she believed they wouldn’t stand a chance against Dominion in an all-out war, she knew they had the means to cause serious damage.
Not to mention... they could be eyeing Dominion because of what I did...
"Hey."
Her steps halted as her thoughts were abruptly cut off by the voice behind her.
"You... are you...?"
Her brows furrowed as she looked back, seeing the same man watching her. He tilted his head, as if assessing her from head to toe.
Much to Ashley’s surprise, the corners of his lips curled into a wide smile.
"It’s you!" he mused, taking large strides toward her.
His steps, however, stopped when two men suddenly emerged from the sides, blocking his path.
Ashley blinked, her gaze darting between the figures who stepped in front of her.
Red and Rum.
Huh? What are these guys doing here? Didn’t I tell them to wait outside?
Red and Rum stood before her, backs facing Ashley, expressions sharp at the man.
"Stay where you are," Red warned.
The silver-haired man raised his hands in surrender but didn’t step back. He showed no sign of intimidation as he tilted his head, looking past them at Ashley.
"It’s me!" he pointed at himself, making her brows knit. "Boo, don’t you remember me?"