My Second Marriage with the Mafia Kingpin-Chapter 74: An Invitation

Meanwhile, right in the middle of the city was the Casa Grande Hotel, where Isabella stayed. She dropped her shopping bags and slumped into a chair.

She panted heavily, her expression sour as she thought about what had happened today.

"Tsk," she clicked her tongue. "I should’ve known she’s really bad with directions."

Isabella thought Ashley had gotten better at that shortcoming, but it seemed she was wrong. Then again, Isabella didn’t consider that Ashley had been stuck in that place for months now.

"That idiot," she hissed as she took out her phone, only to see messages from June.

[Hey, are you okay?]

[Isabella, I don’t think you’d believe what just happened. Is Ashley alright? I assumed the guys who took me were from Dominion. That means that guy found out about our plan. I’m a little worried about Ashley. Have you heard from her?]

[Please, Isabella. Tell me she’s fine.]

Isabella’s already sour mood hit an all-time low as she read June’s messages.

"Does he like her?" she scoffed, displeased by how June could be so concerned about Ashley. "Didn’t he say he only cares about her because of me?"

She ignored the messages, already aware that June was currently in the hospital. He was fortunate he hadn’t been beaten black and blue, but he hadn’t been left unscathed either. He had wounds and bruises here and there... or so she was told.

Not that she cared enough to check.

"But why did Lucian let him go?" she whispered, staring at her phone curiously. "Knowing how violent Dominion can be, I thought they were going to kill June."

June’s death would probably make her a little sad, considering he was a childhood friend who followed Isabella’s words like scripture. He would get anything Isabella wanted. Not that she was interested in him.

Isabella only showed June interest because Ashley used to like him. But now, she was stuck with him. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

"His family isn’t bad," she hummed, brushing her hair back with her fingers. "But compared to him..."

Compared to Lucian...

Isabella bit her lip as she thought about Lucian’s handsome face, that dangerous air around him, his domineering aura even when standing still, and that physique and stature—everything about him screamed perfection.

Initially, Isabella thought Lucian De Luca was an old man. The name, after all, had been around even before they were born. Considering Marshal’s lack of integrity, it wouldn’t have been surprising for him to sell one of his daughters off and benefit from it.

Obviously, she wasn’t the daughter who would be sold off.

There was Ashley, the spare daughter.

Had she known Lucian was a man of that caliber, she would’ve volunteered to become the matriarch of Dominion.

Amid her thoughts on how to reconcile with Lucian and clear her name, her phone lit up once more. Her brows rose when she saw her mother’s name, Carmella. Isabella answered without hesitation.

"Hey, Mom," she smiled. "How are you?"

"Oh, dear, I missed you so!" came a sweet, matronly voice from the other end. "How did your plan go?"

Isabella rolled her eyes. "Bad—very bad."

"How come?"

"That stupid bitch got lost and didn’t even find June. She ended up getting caught before she even reached him," she clicked her tongue irritably. "Now she’s stuck there."

"Did she at least get beaten up pretty badly? Please tell me she did."

Isabella frowned, thinking back. It didn’t look like Ashley had been beaten. As a matter of fact, she looked full of life! But then again, an idiot like her wouldn’t show it. There was one time Ashley had been beaten black and blue by their mother, only for Isabella to see her smiling and laughing with one of the maids a few hours later.

Of course, Isabella told her mother about it, which led to another beating until Ashley could no longer walk or even smile.

"Who knows?" she sighed. "You know her. She’s used to getting beaten. That stupid bitch—she’s so annoying. Mom! Why did Dad have to marry her off to him, anyway?"

"Dear, go ask your father—you know how he is," Carmella replied casually. "Anyway, I heard about what happened to June. Make sure to visit him and tell him not to mention your name or Dominion."

Isabella frowned deeply. "Why?"

"You silly girl! What do you mean, why? Do you think his grandfather will sit still when he finds out his grandson was beaten while he was out of the country?" Carmella scolded. "Besides, Dominion and our family are still on a truce. This could become a problem."

Carmella’s voice turned stern. "My dear, I know June is a little soft, but don’t forget he’s part of a political dynasty. Their family is not to be trifled with, and if they find out you had a hand in what happened to their precious golden boy, it will affect our business."

Isabella’s frown deepened as she listened.

"Fine," she rolled her eyes. "I’ll visit him tonight."

"Good girl," Carmella said in satisfaction. "Anyway, once you’re back, I’ll tell you about a business your father and I have been looking into. You should join us since your dad is setting it up under your name. You can’t just remain Marshal Di Carpio’s daughter forever, you know?"

Isabella’s brows rose. "What kind of business?"

"We’re still looking into it, but you should start reading about the Woods of the Gods," Carmella hummed. "It’s a venture with a thousand percent profit. If you get involved, even Lucian De Luca would take an interest in you. From what I heard, Dominion already has its eyes on it."

"Really?" Isabella perked up. "Mom, you’re the best!"

"Oh, dear. Just finish your business there and make sure June keeps his mouth shut. Then come back. We’re meeting people in the industry at a charity event related to it. If it’s true that Lucian De Luca is interested, you’ll meet him there."

Isabella’s lips curled into a wide grin, her mood lifting. "Thanks, Mom! I’ll see you!"

*****

Meanwhile, in Dominion, Ashley dried her hair with a small towel, her attention on her phone. Thanks to Lucian, she now had Liza’s, Tommy’s, and her investors’ and partners’ numbers saved.

"A charity event hosted by Auntie Shyaan?" she muttered, tilting her head.

Ashley walked out of the bathroom and found Lucian already in bed. "Lu, Auntie Shyaan sent me an invitation to an exclusive charity event. Should we go?"