Chapter 132: End of Contract
That night, Ashley and Castor didn’t tell everyone about their agreement. However, they proceeded to sign the contract, with Castor’s lawyer present to review the draft.
With that came the last day of work, or so everyone thought.
By the end of the shift, Ashley had gathered everyone from all departments. Soon, the large space near Dominion’s mini forest was packed with workers.
Some had already come to terms with the fact that this was their final day on the project. Many had already said their goodbyes, while others promised to keep in touch.
"What’s that?" one of them asked, noticing the large tables being set up on the side.
"I have no idea."
"They’ve been setting those up... oh," another trailed off as he saw the mansion’s maids come out carrying large trays.
But before anyone could jump to conclusions, Ashley’s voice rang out from the front.
"Everyone!" she called, waiting until she had everyone’s attention.
"As you already know, today marks the end of Castor’s contract for this project," she said, stirring a bittersweet feeling in everyone’s hearts. "So, as my way of thanking all of you for your hard work, allow me to treat you to a banquet!"
Everyone smiled appreciatively, glancing at the preparations being made nearby.
"Also!" she added, drawing their attention once more. "I have another announcement."
This time, Ashley’s smile widened. "Even though the project is over... the job doesn’t end here."
Deep lines appeared on everyone’s faces as confusion spread.
Nelly, standing near the front, tilted his head before turning to Betty, only to see her smiling just as brightly.
"Betty, what’s going on?" he asked.
"Listen," she said simply, prompting him to turn back.
Soon, Castor stepped forward and stood beside Ashley, straightening proudly despite the confusion on his people’s faces.
"Ahem!" he cleared his throat. "Even though the project is over, the Young Madam and I have come to an agreement."
Everyone held their breath, their eyes widening as anticipation grew.
"She invited me to be her partner in this business," he announced. "And I... accepted."
For a second, silence reigned.
They simply stared at Castor and Ashley in shock.
Ashley chuckled while Castor shook his head lightly.
"It’s a double celebration!" she declared. "Everyone, please welcome my new partner... and your boss’s new partner—haha!"
Then Castor added, "With this partnership, work will continue. Some of you will be reassigned to departments where manpower is needed. On top of that, your benefits, pay, leave, and everything else will be arranged according to our new contract. That includes the mansion staff who worked with us, if you wish to stay."
Again, silence lingered for a moment before cheers and whistles erupted in the area.
"Yes! I knew it! I freaking knew it!" someone shouted.
"For a second, I thought they didn’t talk about extending the contract!"
"Wait—does this mean we’re not contract workers anymore?"
"Wah! We’re still going to see each other tomorrow!"
Ashley and Castor laughed at how well the news was received.
As for Nelly, he let out an airy laugh before turning to Betty. "You didn’t tell me."
"Haha." Betty chuckled. "I was told to keep quiet until they announced it. I only found out this morning."
Nelly shook his head while Betty stifled her laughter.
In the end, everyone was glad the work would continue—an irony in itself.
At the beginning, Castor and his team had always been nervous whenever Dominion called. All they wanted was to deliver quickly and leave. Even before the project began, they had been walking on eggshells.
But now, they were cheering and celebrating, enjoying a feast in the heart of Dominion itself.
Could anyone blame them?
Their fear of Dominion hadn’t completely disappeared. But the environment Ashley created made it feel like a different place entirely. Instead of fearing Dominion, they felt protected by the very place they once dreaded.
While everyone celebrated, a few figures watched the lively banquet from a distance.
Rum’s stomach growled loudly. He held his stomach, sniffing the air.
"That smells good," he muttered, gulping.
Gin, on the other hand, simply observed. "And that looks fun."
"I’ve never seen anything like this," Vodka, their group’s shield, added in a deep voice.
Red clicked his tongue and glared at them. "Why are we even here? If you’re hungry, go to the kitchen. There’s food there!"
With that, he huffed and walked off.
"Who hurt him?" Rum scrunched his nose. "Also, wasn’t he the one who brought us here?"
Gin and Vodka shrugged. "Probably hormones."
Then, much to their surprise, a rarely heard voice spoke up.
"The madam really gets along with them, huh?"
Rum, Gin, and Vodka froze. Their eyes widened as they slowly turned toward the quietest member of their group—Tank.
Then they gasped dramatically.
"He... he talked!"
*
*
*
Meanwhile, from another distance, Nolan, Lucian, Primo, and Gustav stood observing. Nolan wore a small smile, recalling how Ashley had even asked permission to keep the maids assigned to the plantation.
Gustav, however, was not smiling. If anything, he was frowning.
"Don’t they realize they’re in Dominion’s residence?" he grumbled. "How can they hold a feast and make a noise like this?"
The moment he said that, Lucian, Nolan, and Primo slowly turned to look at him at the same time.
Gustav froze.
"Ma—Master..." he stammered, seeing the disdain in Lucian’s eyes. "What I mean is—Dominion—"
"My boos~! Nolan~!"
Before he could finish, Ashley’s voice echoed. The four of them turned to see her running toward them.
When she arrived, she stopped and looked at Gustav. "Oh, Gustav!"
Gustav felt his life flash before his eyes as Lucian and Primo cast him deadly side glances.
Why does she always greet me first?!
"Hehe!" she giggled, grabbing Primo’s hand and Lucian’s other hand. "Nolan, come too! The food is really good!"
Nolan chuckled as Ashley dragged Lucian and Primo toward the party.
"The Madam truly is fascinating," he muttered. "I’m not sure if she realizes that bringing the Master into the party changes the atmosphere... or if she simply doesn’t care."
And just as he said that, the lively party instantly stiffened upon Lucian’s arrival.
Even so, Nolan walked forward to join what had suddenly turned from a celebration into something closer to a formal gathering.
He paused briefly and glanced back at Gustav.
"Sir Gustav, I’m sure the Madam wouldn’t mind if you joined," he said.
Gustav clicked his tongue as he watched Nolan leave.
"How dare she drag the Master into a party like that?" he muttered. "No one in Dominion would ever dare."
Even Gustav himself had never shared a casual meal with Lucian. And yet, there she was—forcing him to sit among everyone and eat.
*****
The party lasted for hours, with some even drinking freely. But Ashley, Primo, and Lucian didn’t stay as long.
Everyone else could enjoy themselves; there was no work the next day.
But it was different for the three of them.
Primo would be starting school soon. Lucian didn’t have the luxury to linger at a party he normally wouldn’t attend.
And Ashley?
Signing Castor was her final step in securing her business operations.
Why?
Because she knew she would be much busier moving forward.
Later that night, Ashley opened her eyes and turned her head. Beside her, Primo slept peacefully... and next to him, Lucian.
She smiled faintly at the sight.
Hehe. They look like babies.
Carefully, she slipped out of bed without waking them, tiptoeing her way out. Instead of staying, she moved toward the master bedroom, the place she and Lucian were supposed to sleep. But lately, with their growing habit of "family nights," they had been staying in the family room instead.
Once inside, Ashley picked up the new laptop she had bought along with the games. She sat at the desk and began typing.
Minutes passed before the screen displayed a few words:
[Welcome Back, Ghost.]