My Second Marriage with the Mafia Kingpin novel Chapter 396

Chapter 396: He Shouldn’t Be There

"What an adorable boy!"

"Am I allowed to pinch his cheeks?"

"Oh, please, ladies. Give him a break."

The ladies flocked around Primo, showering him with attention. Yet Primo wasn’t the least bit intimidated, even though this was the first official event he had attended with both Lucian and Ashley.

Lucian had never taken Primo to social gatherings before, for obvious reasons.

But this event celebrated a business Ashley had built legitimately—one that had nothing to do with Dominion.

And since Ashley was the most important person of the night, Primo stayed with Liza and Shyaan, who happily introduced him to every lady in their circle.

[Thank you.]

Then he offered them a small smile.

Somehow, that tiny smile alone made the older ladies gasp dramatically while the younger women squealed.

"You’re such a cutie~!"

Liza chuckled as she watched Primo interact with everyone so naturally.

If anything, she felt proud that Primo could even handle Shyaan.

Turning her head, she searched for Ashley.

She wasn’t hard to find.

Ashley was the center of tonight’s event, greeting one guest after another. She had greeted Liza, Tommy, and Shyaan first before making her way to Ramirez, who was currently chatting with Lucian and Tommy.

Ashley glanced toward their group, her gaze settling on Primo.

"He’s alright," Liza mouthed slowly, giving Ashley a wink. "Don’t worry about your boy."

Ashley smiled after reading her lips and nodded before returning her attention to the guests around her.

The smile remained on her face. It simply didn’t reach her eyes.

At some point, Ashley had unknowingly mastered a skill she never possessed in her previous life—

The ability to smile through conversations wrapped in elegance but filled with utter nonsense.

"By the way, I’d like to introduce you to my brother," one of the ladies said, pulling a man into their circle.

"My name is Alan," he said, extending his hand with a charming smile. "I’ve heard a lot about Project Green. It was very impressive."

Ashley accepted the handshake with a polite smile.

"Thank you. I’d say the same about you," she replied. "I’ve heard your new business venture has been quite successful..."

While Ashley expanded her network, two pairs of eyes never left her.

Lucian barely smiled at whatever story Ramirez was telling.

His attention remained fixed on one person.

Ashley.

He wasn’t worried about Primo. He knew his son was doing everything he could to make his mother proud.

Lucian appeared calm. Yet the veins along his temple and jaw stood out as his grip around his glass tightened.

His eyes glinted dangerously as he watched the man who had joined Ashley’s group.

Standing beside him, Tommy snorted.

"Isn’t he smiling at a married woman a little too much?"

"And staring," Lucian added flatly. "For far too long."

Ever since Alan had been introduced to Ashley, his eyes had never left her.

The man’s interest wasn’t subtle. He wasn’t even trying to hide it.

"Control it," Tommy muttered, leaning closer. "If you don’t, you’ll regret it."

Lucian exhaled through gritted teeth. "I am trying."

"Good." Tommy nodded.

He had stood exactly where Lucian was now in the past.

Even today, Tommy was still the same.

The only difference was that Liza had long been surrounded by familiar faces. He no longer had a reason to shadow her every step.

"Does this ever get better?" Lucian asked quietly.

Instead of answering, Tommy gestured toward Liza.

"Look at your aunt for a second."

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