My Second Marriage with the Mafia Kingpin novel Chapter 79

Chapter 79: It’s Not Proper, For A Married Woman

"Where are you going?"

Unlike the usual scene in Lucian and Ashley’s room, neither of them was in bed yet. Normally, Lucian would already be lying down with his laptop. But tonight, he stood near the bed while Ashley stepped out of the adjoining walk-in closet.

She paused and turned to him.

"I’m going to check on Betty," she said. She had already been planning to tell him to go to bed first, but he beat her to it. "I’m a bit worried about her. Don’t wait for me. Be back real quick!"

Lucian maintained an unreadable expression, only lifting his arm to check his watch. "At this hour?"

"Mhm." She nodded. "Betty just lives five somersaults away from the main residence."

There shouldn’t be a problem with that.

But Lucian looked at her sternly. "It’s the dead of night."

"And...?" she tilted her head, only to hear him say,

"It’s not proper... for a married woman."

Lines appeared on Ashley’s face, utterly confused. She wasn’t that old-fashioned or the type to dwell on what was proper or not. But she was sure it wouldn’t be proper if she were meeting a man in the middle of the night.

But this was Betty.

*****

Meanwhile, after completing her nightly routine, Betty sighed heavily as she slumped onto the edge of the bed, her eyes cast downward.

She had already stayed longer on the plantation, even going as far as begging the plants to grow. She knew it wouldn’t change anything—there was nothing she could do—but she still felt restless. A few days ago, Ashley had been so proud of her—for the first time, someone had recognized her hard work.

She didn’t want to fail Ashley.

Deep in Betty’s heart, she wanted to be part of Ashley’s success. She wanted the madam to succeed in this venture... and she didn’t want others mocking Ashley if it failed. That was what she feared most.

"There must be something I can do, right?" She whispered, turning toward the study and getting up.

Instead of calling it a night, Betty went to her desk and reviewed reports from the gardeners. She immersed herself in articles about the problem, searching for anything she could do beyond what had already been tried.

As Betty stayed up—reading, researching, and taking notes—a light knock came at the door.

"Hmm?" she glanced back, brows furrowed. "It’s already late. Who could it be?"

Pushing her chair back, Betty approached the door and peeked outside.

"Hello! You sleeping?"

Betty nearly jumped when Ashley’s face suddenly appeared right in front of the gap. Confused as to why Ashley was here, she still opened the door wider.

But the moment the door opened further, Betty froze. Her pupils constricted and her breath caught in her throat.

Standing behind Ashley was...

Lucian.

Her heart thudded violently, cold sweat forming instantly on her back. Ashley’s presence was surprising enough, but why was the big boss here?

Is she going to fire me?!

Panic surged through her chest until Ashley suddenly raised a bunch of grapes, the stem clipped between her fingers.

"Can we come in?" Ashley smiled. "Lu brought these grapes to me today. They’re really good."

Madam, why did you have to bring him here? she cried internally. Is it because you think it’ll be easier to kick me out if the master is present?!

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