My Second Marriage with the Mafia Kingpin novel Chapter 397

Chapter 397: I Am Surprised, Indeed.

For a moment, Liza simply studied the look on Shyaan’s face.

For the briefest second, Shyaan’s expression sharpened.

As her longtime friend, Liza knew there was more behind that look.

Shyaan wasn’t someone who was easily offended.

If anything, she had remained at the top of the industry not because she was forgiving, but because she was always professional.

She rarely took things personally.

A cheap stunt like the one Carmella and Isabella pulled during the charity event wasn’t enough to provoke this kind of reaction.

Nor was it enough for Shyaan to personally warn everyone in her circle not to do business with them if they still wanted to do business with her.

And Liza was right.

Shyaan’s reasons had little to do with what happened during the charity event.

It was what happened afterward.

When Shyaan left the country with Ashley after seeing her off at the airport, Ashley and Lucian had arranged for Dominion’s men to escort them, just to be safe.

After all, the people Shyaan had publicly thrown out of her charity gala belonged to the Di Carpios.

And the Di Carpios weren’t the type to quietly swallow humiliation.

Just as Ashley and Lucian had predicted, Marshal hired mercenaries.

Not to attack Shyaan directly, but to eliminate the bodyguards protecting her.

If not for Dominion’s intervention, Shyaan’s security team—or rather, their families—would have been mourning loved ones simply because someone needed a scapegoat for their wounded pride.

"I wonder how she managed to get in here," Shyaan murmured, glancing toward Isabella. "People like them always seem to have a trick or two up their sleeves."

She frowned before noticing Liza watching her.

Instantly, her smile returned.

"Haha." She hooked an arm through Liza’s and gave her shoulder a playful bump. "Anyway, don’t mind her anymore. I’m sure Ashley will handle her just like she did during my charity event."

Liza sighed knowingly. "You’re avoiding the subject before I can ask."

Shyaan laughed. "You know me too well."

Like a true friend, Liza didn’t pry.

If Shyaan didn’t wish to discuss it, she wouldn’t force the matter.

As for Shyaan, she deliberately kept the details to herself.

She knew the complicated relationship between the Di Carpios and her friends.

That night at the charity event, the Di Carpios had only managed to get inside because of one of the sponsors.

Above all, Shyaan didn’t want to be the one to reveal that Ashley was also a Di Carpio.

Because... Ashley was the only Di Carpio she had ever met who never acted like one.

*****

Meanwhile...

"Ashley."

Just like everyone else, Ashley’s brows drew together the moment she turned toward the pair approaching her.

Confusion flickered across her face as her gaze moved between two familiar people she never expected to see tonight.

"June," she said. "Isabella."

Maintaining her polite smile, Ashley excused herself from the guests she’d been speaking with and turned her full attention to the pair.

"Wow," she said with a light laugh. "I didn’t expect to see the two of you here tonight."

Isabella chuckled elegantly, looking every bit the graceful angel.

Beside her, June smiled as well.

"Isabella said we shouldn’t tell you," he explained, nodding toward her.

"We wanted to surprise you," Isabella added sweetly. "It’s been a while, so we thought a little surprise from your sister and June would make your night."

"Oh?" Ashley nodded slowly. "A surprise, huh?"

Aware that countless eyes were watching, she kept her smile firmly in place.

"Well... I certainly am surprised." She turned toward June. "But what I’m curious about is... how did the two of you get in without an invitation?"

"Ashley..." Isabella sighed dramatically. "Are you saying we gate-crashed your event?"

She shook her head in disappointment.

"Would you really say that after we flew all the way here? I didn’t even tell Dad that this was your event."

Ashley nearly snorted.

Of course, Isabella hadn’t told Marshal.

She would never willingly let anyone compare Ashley’s success with her own—no matter how small or large the achievement.

"No," June said, still smiling warmly. "My business partner and I were invited."

What is she up to this time?

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify