My Second Marriage with the Mafia Kingpin-Chapter 29: Take This Loss... Gratefully.

"You are a natural."

Hearing that, all of Dominion’s brain cells dramatically waved their white handkerchiefs while wiping their tears. They all hung their heads low, knowing Lucian was definitely seduced by that femme fatale.

Whatever poison she had fed Lucian was definitely a deadly weapon.

How could Lucian, who was supposed to be using this opportunity, just let the inexperienced Ashley do the talking?

Sure, Ashley sounded like she cared for Lucian and was concerned about his sleeping problems, but at the same time, this was still a golden opportunity they couldn’t pass up.

But alas... nothing. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

As for Liza and Tommy, they could only dart their eyes between the young couple. Lucian, who looked smart and business-minded, was letting his wife take charge. For others, it might seem foolish, but to the older couple who had once been in the same situation, it meant something more.

After a second, Tommy burst out laughing.

"Huh?" Ashley blinked and furrowed her brows, watching Liza stifle her laughter while slapping her husband’s shoulder. "Hmm? Auntie, Uncle, is there something funny?"

Liza chuckled as she leaned against the table. "No, it’s just that... both of you remind us of... us."

"Right!" Tommy laughed as he turned to his wife, wiping the corner of his eye. "I remember you weren’t good at business either. When we first met, she was scammed dry. She was practically homeless!"

"You don’t have to remind me of that."

"But she learned," he laughed, his heart light at the good old memories resurfacing. "Passion. That’s what she called it."

"No, I said if I wanted to pursue my passion, I would need money," Liza corrected lightly, shaking her head as she turned to the young couple across from her. "And thanks to your Uncle Tom, I learned a thing or two... maybe more when it comes to business. He used to be quite terrifying."

"Hehe..." Ashley chuckled while Lucian remained quiet.

He simply studied the older couple, who were openly and casually conversing with Ashley, as if Tommy were not someone who once struck fear in the underground world. Tommy, after all, had started as a soldier — a member of a gang unit under a bigger organization — and worked his way until he made a name for himself.

If one didn’t know better, anyone would think Tommy was just an ordinary old man supporting his wife from the sidelines.

"Fine!" Liza finally conceded. She leaned forward slightly and moved her chair closer to Ashley. "But tea on the table sounds... a little lacking."

Ashley frowned. "Auntie—"

"How about this? I’ll supply you with tea, and I’ll help connect you with a few people who would surely pay for this soil ten times more than my offer." Liza raised her brows. "You’ll still give me supplies, but with these people, your business will grow."

"But Auntie, if you do that, won’t you have a competitor?"

"Haha!" Tommy chuckled before leaning in. "Ashley, my wife only needs the soil to grow some rare plants and experiment with it. I don’t think she plans to sell them."

"Eh?"

"I like plants more than earning a fortune," Liza clarified with a gentle smile. "So I’m not planning to distribute the soil or monopolize it. If anything, I simply need enough supply so I can experiment with some plants I’ve been dreaming of growing with my own hands."

Ashley’s mouth formed an O-shape. "Oh..."

"How does that sound?" Liza asked enthusiastically, watching the young lady ponder. "Sounds good?"

Ashley rubbed her chin thoughtfully before nodding. "That sounds good!"

"Great!" Liza clasped her hands together before offering one to her. "Now we have a deal, alright?"

Pleased, Ashley clasped Liza’s hand and shook it — a sign that they had closed the deal.

Tommy smiled approvingly while Lucian simply tilted his head slightly.

As for the others witnessing this strange deal, they could only feel bummed out by the whole thing.

Lucian and Tommy were supposed to be the ones negotiating, but what they were witnessing instead was their wives conducting business.

Soil... tea... tantrums...

Could this trip get any weirder?

*

*

*

"I think I owe you an apology, Mr. De Luca."

After the meal, Tommy asked Lucian to step outside with him while the ladies continued their conversation. He stared through the glass door of the buffet, which opened onto a small garden.

His lips curled into a subtle smile as he watched his enthusiastic wife and the bubbly Ashley talking happily. It was the kind of sight he would have imagined between his wife and their daughter... if only their daughter were still with them.

Tommy cleared his throat as he turned to Lucian.

"I thought I was a good judge of character, but perhaps this slow life has dulled my senses."

"It’s alright," Lucian answered evenly. "I understand."

"You truly have a lovely wife," Tommy remarked. "About your proposal..."

"Please, do not trouble yourself, Mr. Tomas," Lucian interrupted, looking the man directly in the eye. "I offered you everything I thought might tempt you. However, it was I who misjudged you by offering something so... inadequate."

He said this without hesitation or looking away.

Tommy raised his brows in surprise. He had been ready to discuss the deal with Lucian, thinking that perhaps, because he was Ashley’s husband, he could make an exception. But now Lucian — who should have recognized the golden opportunity — was turning it down?

"May I ask why?" Tommy asked out of genuine curiosity. "You might regret this."

"I would not." Lucian slowly turned his head and looked at Ashley. His eyes softened slightly — a rare sight for a man like him. "I simply... do not want to ruin it for her."

He then faced Tommy again.

"And I understand that you value this retirement more than anything money could buy. I will accept this loss. Gratefully."

In other words, Lucian did not want to drag Tommy back into the chaos of the underworld after he had stepped away from it. He respected that.

"Haha..." Tommy let out a defeated laugh, shaking his head. "When I first heard the name Dominion, I was a little worried. But after tonight... you and your wife keep surprising me."

Lucian’s rejection had earned Tommy’s genuine respect — something rare in their world.

"Well, then..." Tommy cleared his throat. "Shall we head back?"

"Yes, sir."

Tommy chuckled as he turned, only to pause.

"By the way, you and your men should thank your wife."

Lucian’s brows lifted in confusion.

"Before you arrived in this country, I heard there were strange movements in the city," Tommy said knowingly. "I didn’t bother looking deeper into it since it was beyond my concern. However... it might be worth investigating."

Tommy smiled at him.

"And don’t worry about this place or your wife. As long as she is in this district, no one will touch her. This district is under my protection. Your wife — and your men — will be safe here."

With that, Tommy resumed walking while Lucian remained where he stood.

When Lucian finally followed, he signaled Gustav to approach. Once Gustav came over, Lucian leaned close and whispered,

"Check the movements in the city. Particularly... Patrick."

Gustav furrowed his brows at the mention of Patrick — the man who had offered them their first hotel.

But without question, he lowered his head.

"Yes, sir."