My Second Marriage with the Mafia Kingpin-Chapter 70: Still A Mystery

Gustav waited for Lucian, as the big boss was later than usual. He barely had any sleep last night, feeling unsettled about things he didn’t even have proof of. Even so, he knew he should at least warn Lucian.

His thoughts halted when the door suddenly flew open.

Gustav turned and immediately stood, watching Lucian walk into the office.

"Master," he greeted with a slight bow before raising his head.

There, he saw Lucian enter quietly. But for someone who had spent every single day with him, Gustav quickly noticed the clarity dominating Lucian’s face.

"Morning, Gustav," Lucian greeted as he sat behind the desk.

But as Lucian glanced at the papers on his desk, he paused and looked up at Gustav. "What is it?"

"...."

Gustav stepped forward, drawing a deep breath. He told himself to inform Lucian that Ashley had made contact with June. But even then, the content of the email was harmless. Still, something about it left an uneasiness in his heart.

But looking at Lucian’s face—and noticing the lack of exhaustion in his usually dark expression—the words wouldn’t come out.

It seems he rested well, Gustav thought, swallowing his worries and forcing a smile. "Nothing, Master. I was just going to ask if you had rested well last night."

"Did," Lucian replied, picking up a document.

Gustav nodded. "I could tell."

Normally, Lucian wouldn’t even respond, as silence was usually enough to answer people’s questions. A one-word reply from him was enough to say that the big boss was in a good mood.

"By the way, Master, Doctor Wesley said he will come here to check on you," Gustav cleared his throat. "He’ll be here after lunch."

Lucian paused upon hearing the doctor’s name, lifted his eyes, and nodded. "Sure."

"...."

"Is there more?" he asked, noticing Gustav staring at him as if he had said something shocking.

Again, Gustav cleared his throat and shook his head. "That’s all."

Upon saying that, Gustav watched his boss refocus on the documents on the desk. With a quiet sigh, he stepped back, bowed, and left the room without another word.

The moment he stepped out, he glanced back at the door.

"I forgot the last time he was truly in a good mood," he muttered to himself, conflict swelling in his chest.

"Sir Gustav?"

Gustav’s thoughts halted at Nolan’s call. Turning, he saw Nolan approaching with a trolley of tea. When Nolan stopped near him, he tilted his head.

"Are you alright, Sir Gustav?" Nolan asked, sounding unusually cheerful.

Gustav frowned. "Nolan, it seems you’re in a good mood as well."

"Is it so obvious?" Nolan chuckled. "Is the master inside?"

"Mhm. He just started."

"Alright."

With that, Nolan pushed the trolley inside after knocking once. "Master, I brought you tea—Miss Ashley said this one is different..."

Gustav heard Nolan’s voice until the door shut behind him.

A deep exhale escaped Gustav as he stepped away. On his way, he stopped by the window and looked outside.

There, he saw Ashley walking with Primo and Betty. Behind them were the maids she had borrowed from the manor to help with the plantation. His gaze shifted to the workers, watching the gardeners greet Ashley even from a distance.

She waved back at them with both arms raised high.

"Everyone seems to be in a good mood," he murmured, shaking his head. "This place is becoming strange."

It was still quiet, but somehow, the atmosphere felt unfamiliar.

It wasn’t like the mansion had always been tense, but this quietness was... peaceful. Not the usual kind. It felt light, almost as if a rainbow was hanging over the mansion. It was oddly comical.

Since Gustav had already worked through the night, he stepped out to check on his men. The moment he did, he paused upon spotting Red and his crew idling in the designated area. Strangely, the gloom hanging over them felt familiar—something Gustav was used to.

He approached them. "You."

At the sound of his voice, Red and the others turned and quickly straightened.

"Sir!" Red shouted. "Is there an order for us?"

The question made the rest look at Gustav expectantly, as if desperate for a mission. Gustav cleared his throat and sighed, taking a few casual steps before leaning against the railing.

"Nothing," he said, taking out a stick. "I just want to ask what happened yesterday."

Gustav hadn’t had the chance to ask earlier. Too many things had happened at once, and these men had ended up in the infirmary after getting sick.

At his question, their expressions soured, and they didn’t bother hiding it.

"Sir, that woman..." Red leaned closer, his mouth opening and closing as if struggling to find the right words. "...she’s... she’s unhinged!"

The rest nodded vigorously. "Sir, that woman should never—ever—touch a steering wheel!"

"She failed her driver’s license exam ten times!" another blurted. "TEN! Not once, not twice, not even thrice—but ten! That alone explains everything!"

Thinking about it, they couldn’t help but silently grieve. They were lucky to still be alive.

Gustav furrowed his brows. "That scared you?"

They gasped, looking more offended than expected. Gustav frowned, unable to understand. These men had faced life-and-death situations countless times without complaint.

"It’s different when it’s us and her behind the wheel!" Red exclaimed, exasperated. "We can’t just trust our lives in her hands!"

And that was true.

Red and his crew had built their camaraderie through countless missions. The trust they had in one another was absolute. They would trust each other with their lives, but Ashley?

That crazy woman would definitely kill them... or use them as human shields to save herself. No doubt about it.

Gustav leaned against the wall, studying them as they grumbled. He took a long drag before speaking.

"We’re lucky that woman is lucky," Red muttered. "If she were even a little unlucky, the five of us would be dead."

"Do you really think it’s all just luck?" Gustav finally spoke, earning their attention. He scanned their faces and shrugged. "I don’t like her either, but don’t forget—she’s part of the Di Carpios. She worked alongside Marshal’s best men. Scott. And the legendary Ghost has his back."

Having said that, Gustav extinguished his stick against the bin and walked away. "Do some routine training. We’re all stuck here for a few days."

Watching him leave, Red and his crew’s expressions soured.

"So what?" Red clicked his tongue. "Marshal Di Carpio’s only strength is that mad dog Scott and that damn Ghost backing him up."

"Yeah, right. It’s not like those guys have anything to do with that woman," another muttered. "I hate it when people ride on others’ achievements."

"How did Marshal even get Ghost’s favor?" someone else asked. "That’s still a mystery."

*****

Back in Lucian’s office, he took a sip of tea Nolan had prepared following Ashley’s instructions. According to Nolan, Ashley had even given a specific recipe to better suit Lucian’s taste.

Though he would’ve preferred if she had brought it herself.

But then again, Ashley had a lot to do today at the plantation.

Just then, his phone pinged.

Lucian glanced at it and checked the notification. It was a photo of Primo crouched by a pot, seemingly planting something.

The message read:

[So cute, Momo~]

Lucian stared at it, but his focus lingered on the small reflection behind Primo—the faint image of Ashley.

His lips curled slightly as his eyes shifted to her contact name... followed by the ghost emoticon at the end.