My Second Marriage with the Mafia Kingpin novel Chapter 448

Chapter 448: Ruined You

A heavy silence settled over the room as Ophelia could only stare at Ashley.

Ashley’s words lingered in the air, but they echoed even louder in Ophelia’s mind.

The Ashley she remembered was still a little girl—one who hadn’t even reached her teenage years.

Hearing her speak now with such certainty, such honesty, without trying to soften the truth, stirred something deep inside Ophelia. At the same time, it forced her to accept one painful reality.

Ashley was no longer the girl she once knew.

She was no longer the child who had teetered on the edge of insanity after enduring unimaginable torment.

"Miss Ashley," Ophelia whispered. "I understand, but—"

"I’ll be fine, Ophelia." Ashley raised her brows and gave her a reassuring nod. "But first... can you help me?"

Ophelia frowned.

"Miss, what are you planning? Please don’t tell me you’re trying to get me out of here." She shook her head firmly. "You don’t have to put yourself in danger for me."

"Please," Ophelia repeated. "I’ve lived in this place for a long time, and there are..."

Her voice trailed off as her eyes fell. "...people here I can’t leave behind."

Why would Ashley be surprised?

Ophelia might now be in charge of this wing, but that didn’t mean her life had become any easier.

Anyone could imagine what had happened to a woman who had once been so full of life—so impossible to break—that she had ended up licking these monsters’ dirty boots.

She had done it to protect others who were just as much victims as she was.

Even if that protection came at the cost of her own dignity.

Besides, Ashley had done enough research to know that this place—once considered an impenetrable fortress—had suffered several security breaches over the past few years.

Some victims had even managed to escape.

"Who said I only came for you?" Ashley finally asked.

Ophelia slowly looked up.

"Ophelia... can you do me a favor?" Ashley continued.

The wrinkles on Ophelia’s face deepened as she waited.

"Gather everyone tonight without raising suspicion," Ashley whispered, lowering her voice. "Can you do that?"

"Gather... everyone?" Confusion filled Ophelia’s face. "Miss Ashley, what exactly are you planning?"

"I have men waiting outside," Ashley replied, keeping the explanation as brief as possible.

She didn’t mention just how many soldiers were surrounding the compound. Otherwise, Ophelia might believe the mission was impossible before it even began.

Ashley squeezed her hand.

"Get everyone out of here. Prioritize the children," she said firmly. "This is your chance to free everyone from this shithole."

Another silence settled between them. Hesitation was written all over Ophelia’s face as she searched Ashley’s eyes.

"Miss Ashley, this is dangerous." Her voice dropped into a whisper. "What if they find out?"

She swallowed hard. "Do you even know how many children are here? There are over a hundred."

She hadn’t even counted the women.

Ashley paused.

She had expected the number to be high, but not that high.

Even so, it changed nothing.

When she finally spoke again, she chose the one truth she knew would overpower the fear buried deep inside Ophelia.

"If you don’t do this..." Ashley said quietly, her expression turning cold. "They’re going to get caught in the crossfire."

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify