Chapter 137: Fake News!
Inside the mansion, Ashley chewed her food slowly, never forgetting to shoot daggers at Lucian. The big boss didn’t even glance in her direction, pretending she was a ghost he shouldn’t notice.
You think ignoring me will make you innocent?
Ashley clicked her tongue, thinking about how Lucian couldn’t keep his word! She had already added a buffer for how many times they could do it, yet he still dared to ask for two more!
Shameless!
"The nerve," she hissed, glaring at him again while he looked anywhere but her.
The only good thing he did was get her new sets of clothes and carry her back to the family room, where Primo was sound asleep. They slept there, and he woke up as if nothing had happened. Meanwhile, here she was, still feeling the heat and the pressure from last night between her legs.
"Master."
Ashley’s thoughts halted as Gustav approached Lucian’s side.
Normally, Gustav wouldn’t bother Lucian during meal times. It was part of the rules. For him to approach now meant it was important.
Lucian glanced at Gustav and nodded. Then, he turned to his wife and son.
"I’ll join you for lunch," was all he said, rising from his seat.
As he stood, he reached out and gently ruffled Primo’s head before walking away.
Ashley and Primo watched as Lucian left with Gustav. Primo returned to his food, but Ashley kept her eyes on the men’s retreating figures, curious.
"Nolan, what do you think that was about?" she wondered aloud, glancing at him. "Do they have another problem?"
Nolan wore his usual polite smile as he refilled her water. "I have no idea, Madam."
Of course, Nolan wouldn’t know, she thought. Even if he did, he wouldn’t tell me.
"Right." She clicked her tongue, then turned to Primo. "Primo, do you want to play later? I’ll just check the plantation, and then we can play."
Primo pursed his lips, making her brows knit.
"What?" she asked. "You don’t want to?"
He shook his head and reached for his drawing pad, writing:
[I need to pack.]
Ashley blinked. "Pack for what?"
"Madam, have you forgotten?" Nolan stepped in gently. "The Young Master will be moving to his boarding school soon. He still has a week, but it’s better to prepare now so we can send his things ahead and avoid forgetting anything."
"Oh..." Her lips formed an O as her gaze fell on Primo. "Right... the boarding school."
She nodded, growing quiet as she shoved a piece of egg into her mouth.
*****
"Master, look who’s back."
Gustav stood before Lucian in his office, showing him his phone displaying the ongoing advertisement on the black market site.
"It’s Ghost," he said sternly. "It seems he’s back, and the White Serpent has offended him."
Lucian blinked, looking at Gustav. "This is the reason you wanted to talk to me?"
His question made Gustav furrow his brows.
"Master, this is Ghost," Gustav stressed, even though he knew Lucian wasn’t particularly interested. "If Ghost is back, that means Marshal will regain his confidence. And aside from that, this could work in our favor since the White Serpent is already targeting us."
Lucian’s expression didn’t change. He simply studied Gustav.
Lucian was well aware that his wife’s actions last night would stir the underground. Ashley might not care—or even realize—how much influence her second persona had, but Lucian knew.
"Then be nice," was all he said as he turned and walked to his desk.
Gustav frowned, confused by the response.
"Master," he followed after him. "What does that mean?"
"Gustav, expect the White Serpent to lie low for a while," Lucian said as he sat down. "But keep an eye on them."
Gustav was speechless for a moment. "But this—"
"Ghost is just being petty... from what I know."
"What?"
Lucian lifted his gaze, looking back at him. "And pissed. You can ask Ghost if you like, but be nice."
Confusion flooded Gustav’s mind. Lucian wasn’t speaking nonsense, but somehow... none of it made sense. How could he just casually ask Ghost?! He didn’t even know who the person behind it was!
"Moreover, Ghost no longer supports the Di Carpios," Lucian added. "I’ll be cutting them off soon."
"..."
Gustav blinked repeatedly as Lucian jerked his chin toward the door.
"Go," Lucian said.
Gustav nodded, though confusion still lingered at the back of his head, and turned to leave. Just as he reached for the doorknob, he paused at his boss’s call.
"Gustav."
He paused and looked back. "Yes, Master?"
Lucian was already seated behind the desk, ready to work, but his eyes were fixed on Gustav as if assessing him.
"What do you think of my wife?"
"Huh?"
"My wife," Lucian repeated. "What do you think about what kind of person she was before this marriage?"
Hearing that, Gustav’s initial confusion cleared.
Lucian had never asked such a question before. He married Ashley, and that was it. He never asked for opinions, not even Nolan’s. So this caught Gustav off guard.
Gustav cleared his throat and thought for a moment. "I think she’s... pitiful."
"Pitiful?"
"I don’t mean to offend, Master," Gustav lowered his head. "But from what I heard, Marshal kept sending her on suicide missions. It’s a miracle she’s still alive."
Though now, knowing Ashley, he understood how she survived.
She’s lucky... very lucky.
"I’m not asking about her circumstances, Gustav," Lucian said. "I’m asking what kind of person you think the Di Carpios created."
He shifted his gaze back to the papers on his desk.
"Gustav, you are Dominion’s right hand for a reason," he continued calmly. "I understand you opposed this marriage from the beginning. However, I believe your emotions have been clouding your judgment."
Gustav frowned, still watching him.
"Not just you, but everyone," Lucian added, meeting his gaze again. "Because of that, all of you have been missing important details."
He paused, then nodded at him.
"Take a step back and observe from an unbiased perspective, Gustav. Also, send Rum to help in the kitchen."
"What?"
"His punishment for spreading fake news," Lucian said. "He claimed I don’t like sweets—fake news."
*****
At the same time, Rum suddenly sneezed as a chill ran down his spine.
"Dang," he sniffed, rubbing his nose. "I feel like someone’s talking bad about me."