Chapter 135: Today’s Mood
"Lu? My baby husband?"
Baby husband?
Lucian knitted his brows as her voice echoed in his ears. His gaze fixed on her as the dangerous, fierce look on her face twisted into shock.
"Did you not notice?"
Ashley’s face soured as the question lingered in the quiet air. Was that actually a question? She wouldn’t have attacked him if she knew it was him. She had only sensed danger, and from what life had taught her, it was best to move first to raise her chances of survival.
She wouldn’t have lasted this long if she were slow on her feet.
"Heh." She let out an awkward laugh as he finally released her hands.
Ashley sat up, Lucian’s knees still resting on either side of her legs. As she straightened, she came face to face with him, her face only two palm-lengths away from his.
"So—ahem, sorry," she said, leaning closer. "Are you hurt?"
"No."
But as the answer left his lips, Ashley cupped his face and studied him closely. Lucian stiffened, his eyes following the concern on her face. She checked his hands and arms, then reached for the hem of his shirt and lifted it.
"You didn’t hit me there," he said.
"I know. Hehe. Just checking your abs."
"..."
Ashley let it go, satisfied that her beloved abs were left unharmed. "Lu, why would you come up behind me like that? Also, how long have you been here? What are you even doing here?"
"Looking for you. You are not in the room."
"Eh?"
Lucian’s lips parted, but in the end, he let out a deep exhale. How was he supposed to tell her that he thought she had left?
"Weren’t you asleep?" she muttered. "I thought you were already sleeping."
He was, but without her by his side, he woke up.
"Have you been here for long?"
"No," he answered. "Just now."
"Oh..."
"What are you doing?"
Ashley’s brows snapped up as she caught the curiosity in his eyes.
"Hmm..." she hummed, glancing at the computer. "Doing some research."
She tapped his chest, and Lucian got off her. Then she pushed herself up. "I just thought I’m not updated with the underground, so I’m checking something."
As she explained what she had been doing before their brief confrontation, Ashley dragged the chair and sat down. Lucian, on the other hand, stood behind her.
"Get that chair over there," she tipped her head. "I’ll show you something."
Lucian raised his brows and glanced at her before abiding by her request. He walked away, grabbed the extra chair, and placed it beside her.
Meanwhile, Ashley glanced at his figure and quickly deleted her conversation with Omen regarding the incident involving Patrick.
Lucian didn’t know she knew about that. Therefore, it would be less hassle than explaining how she found out about it. She left the rest of the conversation intact.
Once Lucian sat beside her, Ashley tilted her laptop and typed fast.
"This is the White Serpent’s recent business paths..." she explained while he listened. "You probably know this, but the brotherhood welcomed its new don. I still can’t find useful information about their new don—wait a second."
With that, Ashley opened her chat box with Omen and typed:
[Ghost: White Serpent Brotherhood.]
[Ghost: +7 accessory]
Then, she received a quick reply.
[Damn it!]
Despite that, more information followed—things she couldn’t obtain on her own.
Unlike her, Omen had never left the underground. Thus, he knew where to look and what to do. Information in the black market and underground world was always fleeting.
One second, it was available. The next, it disappeared without a trace.
Omen gathered information as soon as it surfaced and kept it with him. That was how he made himself more useful.
While her fingers worked nonstop across the keyboard and her mouth kept explaining everything to him, Lucian slowly turned his head toward her.
He simply stared at her side profile, noting how she spoke as if he were the one unfamiliar with the underground. But it didn’t surprise him. He knew she was more deeply involved in these matters than she let people know.
Or rather... more than what information about her suggested.
"Look at this, Lu—" Ashley paused as she turned her head, only to freeze when she noticed Lucian staring at her intently.
She blinked several times, confused by the way he looked at her.
"What?" she cleared her throat, slightly flustered. "Were you listening?"
"I am listening," he said. "Ghost."
Ashley smiled brightly. "You know Ghost?"
"Who doesn’t?"
"That’s such an honor," she chuckled. "For the big boss of Dominion to know Ghost—wait! Don’t tell me I got on your radar without knowing?"
Her face twisted as she leaned closer. "Did I... offend you back then?"
"..."
Lucian wasn’t surprised she was Ghost. He had suspected it. After all, Ghost’s name rose during the time Ashley was most active in the underground.
The mysterious figure first gained recognition by handling small requests. Then came a major incident.
No one knew who Ghost was, only the symbol she left behind.
A figure unseen, untouched, unheard.
They only knew Ghost had been involved once everything was over.
Hence... Ghost.
Not to mention, Ghost had a high-profile "disciple" known as Omen.
The Omen of the Underground.
And as Ghost’s reputation grew, so did the Di Carpios. With her help, the family rose to become the second-largest mafia organization on the continent.
Even an organization as powerful as Dominion knew of this legend—one who elevated a pathetic don like Marshal into someone with power, influence, and wealth in just a few years.
"No," he finally answered, watching her grow more confused.
"Then how did you know a small-time figure like Ghost?"
Genuine curiosity flickered in her eyes, completely unaware of how significant her identity was.
Then again, Ashley never cared.
Ghost was just a tool. Something to take the credit when needed and disappear when convenient.
And her cluelessness... didn’t surprise Lucian either.
Lucian rested an arm over the back of her chair, leaning closer. "Stop this."
"Huh?"
"Don’t get involved in these things anymore," he said quietly, sincerely. "Focus on your legitimate business."
"But Dominion’s business is yours. So it’s my business."
"..."
Ashley arched a brow. "Lu, the White Serpent spiked your drink. I don’t care if it wasn’t lethal, but they got too close to you without getting caught immediately. If that doesn’t alarm you, then I’m even more concerned."
Her usual bubbly smile was gone as she turned back to the monitor, fingers flying across the keys.
Ashley barely blinked as she typed. A few seconds later, she stopped and turned to him, staring him straight in the eye.
"It’s not that I don’t trust you... but I’m pissed—and petty."
Then she smiled, pressing Enter.
As soon as she did, Ashley turned to the screen while Lucian followed her gaze.
Right in the center of the black market site was a massive banner.
At the top, it read:
[Today’s Mood:]
Below it was a tarot card image.
A shadowy black ghost holding a scythe in one hand and a white serpent in the other. The ghost stretched the serpent, its tail pinned beneath the blade.
Ashley’s lips curled into a smirk as she glanced at Lucian. "Pretty cool, huh?"
Lucian narrowed his eyes before reaching out, his hand settling on her back. He leaned closer, his brows lifting in a knowing look.
"Primo... is not here," came his low, husky voice.
Ashley zipped her lips, only now realizing they were back in the room... all alone. After a second, she let out a defeated exhale and stretched her arms.
"Just... two—"
Before she could even negotiate, her body was already in his arms, being carried toward the bed.
"Hey, let me finish first—!"
Lucian paused, glancing down at her.
"I will..." his lips curved slightly. "...make you finish first."