My Second Marriage with the Mafia Kingpin novel Chapter 99

Chapter 99: If The Devil Has A Name...

Initially, when the couple walked in, people stopped in their tracks, and conversations in some groups halted just because of a gleam that flickered in the corner of their eyes.

The stone in Ashley’s necklace reflected the lights of the chandelier, instinctively drawing people’s attention in her direction. But once their eyes landed on the couple, everyone stopped for an entirely different reason.

Why?

Not because the faces were unfamiliar, but because of the auras the couple carried. With Lucian’s stature, he naturally stood out. Yet his expression was calm, his gaze on the woman beside him gentle as he guided her with every step.

As for the woman beside him, she had a small smile etched on her face. Her aura screamed elegance, her eyes scanning the room with every step as if assessing whether this place was worthy of her presence.

It took an entire minute of pure silence before someone snapped out of his thoughts and furrowed his brows.

"Isn’t that... isn’t that Lucian De Luca?" His voice pitched slightly, enough to reach more people around him.

"Lucian De Luca?" another repeated. "Who is—" He stopped as his breath hitched a second later.

"He is that man?" the person next to him gasped, wide-eyed. "That Lucian De Luca?"

"Why is he here? I didn’t see him on the guest list."

"I didn’t know Lucian De Luca was so... attractive." A young lady across the group whispered, blushing as her eyes remained fixed on him. "I heard his name before, but I didn’t think he was this..."

If the devil had a name, everyone would say it was Lucian.

But then again, people said the Devil didn’t have horns. Rather, his hair was combed, and he wore a suit and tie.

Dominion might have originally been a crime family, and still was. However, it had slowly transitioned into a legal business, with many of its operations legitimized through connections.

Such transitions were not surprising, especially for organizations like Dominion. They were ambitious, just as they were violent. But the reason Lucian’s name gained such attention was that, usually, these transitions were discreet and gradual.

But Dominion?

They shifted half of their assets and businesses into legal operations on such a massive scale that they were now running half of Dominion like a corporation.

Not that those things mattered much in the world of the rich. As long as someone benefited from a person or served their interests, that background was not as important.

"If that’s Lucian, does that mean..." another trailed off, her eyes shifting to the stunning woman beside him. "...that’s... his wife?"

"The secret wife no one had seen before?"

"I thought the marriage was fake, but—" the first stopped, assessing Ashley from head to toe. Even as a woman, her jaw slackened as she stared, her cheeks heating.

Earlier, they had seen Isabella make her entrance.

Naturally, men flocked around her and shamelessly abandoned their dates for her. This wasn’t surprising, considering not everyone who came with a date brought their girlfriend or wife. Some brought mistresses, while others hired companions to boost their image.

Some ladies didn’t like how Isabella stood out, or how she acted innocently despite clearly noticing the attention she drew. But even so, these elites had to admit that Isabella looked like an angel.

Her dress, makeup, and hairstyle made her resemble a beautiful saintess.

"Ah—" she nearly fell, only for someone to catch her.

"Careful," Bernard said, as others were too stunned, or had already left to greet the De Lucas. He helped her steady herself and smiled. "Let’s continue our talk later, Miss."

And just like everyone else, Bernard politely walked away to greet the newly arrived couple. After all, beyond personal interest, one thing mattered most in this place: value and benefit.

Seeing this, Isabella’s shoulders trembled, her hands clenching into fists.

"What’s going on?" she muttered under her breath, her voice shaking. "Why is she...?"

She lifted her wide, trembling eyes and caught sight of Ashley surrounded by people, smiling and conversing, while Lucian stood like a statue, ignoring the men speaking to him.

Isabella’s face twitched, displeased with the unpleasant feeling swelling in her chest. This was the first time she had been ignored. That role wasn’t meant for her. This spot she was standing in was supposed to be Ashley’s.

And that place beside Lucian... was supposed to be hers.

You bitch... she hissed internally. Do you think they’re giving you attention because they like you?

Isabella scoffed. "No... it’s because of him," she told herself, glancing at Lucian before smirking as she looked back at Ashley.

A malicious glint flickered in her eyes as an idea formed.

It’s alright, Isabella. That bastard might be dressed in elegance, but she’s still the same dimwit. The night is only beginning, and once she humiliates herself... even Lucian won’t be able to look at her.