My Second Marriage with the Mafia Kingpin novel Chapter 91

Chapter 91: Best Accessory

"Again!"

Ashley pursed her lips as the word she had been hearing all morning rang out once more. She turned to the source of the voice.

There stood a refined old madam, upright, a folding hand-held fan resting in her grasp.

The instructor’s hair was neatly styled in a bun, with volume at the crown that made her look like an evil stepmother. Though aged, with visible wrinkles on her face, her petite figure and poise remained elegant even when simply standing still.

"Do it again," she said, her voice as strict as her features.

A deep exhale escaped Ashley, and she nodded, recomposing herself as she picked up another book and placed it on top of her head. Chin high, she straightened her back and walked in her high heels, balancing the book.

Ashley walked in a straight line, managing to reach the end without the book falling.

But alas...

"Again!"

Her frown deepened, and this time, she turned fully to the madam. "Are you serious?"

In her previous life, all she needed was to walk across the room without the book falling off her head. Once she did that, they were done.

Madam Reina—the most sought-after private etiquette instructor among the elite—didn’t answer. She simply maintained her strict composure, not breaking even once. She watched Ashley stomp her foot, yet Ashley still followed through anyway.

But as Ashley placed the book on top of her head again, Reina finally spoke.

"Young Madam, you are attending an event for the first time." Her calm yet stern voice made Ashley turn to her. "What others fail to understand is that your appearance is not the most important factor in making a first impression. Regardless of whether you are wearing the most expensive outfit or how precious the necklace you wear is, it will not matter."

Madam Reina sauntered toward her as she continued, "It’s how you carry yourself from start to finish." She reached for the book in Ashley’s hand and adjusted it properly on her head.

"What I want you to do is not merely maintain the balance of this book, but to balance it with confidence." Finally, Madam Reina met Ashley’s eyes. "I am not asking you to repeat this for no reason. This is precisely why I was hired." 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Moreover, if not for owing Lucian, she wouldn’t have accepted this invitation at all.

There were many elites who had wanted to hire her, but she had rejected them all for personal reasons. Ashley was her first student in a long time—and likely the last. Hence, she wanted to do this properly.

As for Ashley, she stared at the madam quietly.

I didn’t realize it, but she doesn’t look as scary up close, she thought, quickly snapping out of it. "Sorry."

"It’s alright." Madam Reina nodded as she walked away. "Do it again."

When she reached the side, she turned gracefully, adding, "This time, with confidence."

Ashley drew a deep breath and placed the book on top of her head, looking straight ahead. There were also other lessons waiting for her, but instead of continuing immediately, she paused as thoughts of the past crossed her mind.

Did she just pass me before... just for the sake of it? She wondered. But then again, she stayed with me for a long time.

That had been the very reason Ashley used to hate this instructor. But after almost two days of staying with Reina, Ashley realized not only how wrong she had been, but also how sincere the people Lucian had hired to help her truly were.

"Walk with confidence," she whispered, blinking as she took a step forward.

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