[Meanwhile, in Dominion’s New Neighborhood.]
Ashley jogged down the stairs and spotted Nolan downstairs.
"Nolan, you’re alone?" She hummed, watching Nolan turn toward her.
He smiled warmly, as usual. "The maids finished cleaning early. Are you done with your meeting, Madam?"
"Mhm." She dragged her feet toward the kitchen and checked the food on the table.
"Are you hungry, Madam?" Nolan asked as he followed her, tilting his head to study her expression.
Ashley smiled as she glanced at him. "No, I’m just checking if I can take this to my room."
"Do you want to eat in your room?"
"Mhm." She nodded. "I have some things to do, and I told the guys I’d be staying home, so they should accompany Betty. Besides, I need to handle a few things while Lucian is on a business trip."
Nolan let out a light chuckle. "Then I’ll bring everything to your room."
"It’s alright! I’ll do it!" Ashley waved dismissively as she headed to the kitchen to grab a plate. She took some fruit and a few things she could snack on before flashing Nolan a big smile.
"Nolan, you should enjoy this slow life we have," she advised. "Red will pick up Primo later, so I’m really not leaving today."
Having said that, she marched back toward the stairs while adding, "I’ll come down before Primo gets home. Also, don’t disturb me! I’m going to play a game and beat Primo later!"
Nolan stared at Ashley as she hurried upstairs, tilting his head slightly.
"Is she bored without the master?" he wondered. Lucian had left for a business trip the previous night. "I suppose she is. The master always tries to avoid business trips whenever he can handle things from the office."
Not thinking much about it, Nolan shrugged and decided not to bother her anymore.
At this point, he had already learned not to disturb Ashley. If she was practicing to beat Primo at a game, then that meant she needed to focus.
Meanwhile, as Ashley entered the bedroom, she instinctively locked the door and sat down on the chair. She glanced at the laptop she had been working on earlier before shifting her attention to the second monitor she had set up a few days ago.
Picking up one earbud, she slipped it into her ear and popped a grape into her mouth.
"My boo, I’m here~!" she hummed sweetly. "Can you hear me?"
A few seconds later, Lucian’s voice sounded through the earbud.
"Mhm."
Ashley smiled brightly.
"Eat well~! I’m eating snacks too, so you don’t feel lonely!"
*****
[At the secret meeting]
"And when a boat is about to sink, it is better to jump off before you drown with it."
Another silence fell over the room, all eyes focused on Lukas. Their sharp gazes studied his brief reaction, and they could immediately tell he had not expected this.
Questions regarding legitimacy were enormous within Dominion. And once legitimacy was questioned, everyone knew things would snowball from there. Not to mention, the issue involved the higher circle of their organization.
This was not merely a coup born out of dissatisfaction.
It was an internal power struggle backed by a weaponized political reason to shake Lucian’s position. And if the High Chambers began questioning his right to lead, everyone beneath them would eventually be forced to choose a side.
Right now, these people were offering others the privilege of choosing early.
Lukas quietly analyzed the situation, lowering his gaze to the teacup before him.
"A sinking boat, huh?" he murmured, slowly rocking his head in understanding.
When he lifted his gaze to meet theirs, he let out a defeated chuckle.
"It is indeed a sinking boat."
Because these people — even if they were merely bitter old men jealous of the younger generation — would never openly display their greed, ambition, and envy just to win people over. Instead, they weaponized Dominion’s survival instinct to sway others.


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