My Second Marriage with the Mafia Kingpin-Chapter 79: It’s Not Proper, For A Married Woman

"Where are you going?"

Unlike the usual scene in Lucian and Ashley’s room, neither of them was in bed yet. Normally, Lucian would already be lying down with his laptop. But tonight, he stood near the bed while Ashley stepped out of the adjoining walk-in closet.

She paused and turned to him.

"I’m going to check on Betty," she said. She had already been planning to tell him to go to bed first, but he beat her to it. "I’m a bit worried about her. Don’t wait for me. Be back real quick!"

Lucian maintained an unreadable expression, only lifting his arm to check his watch. "At this hour?"

"Mhm." She nodded. "Betty just lives five somersaults away from the main residence."

There shouldn’t be a problem with that.

But Lucian looked at her sternly. "It’s the dead of night."

"And...?" she tilted her head, only to hear him say,

"It’s not proper... for a married woman."

Lines appeared on Ashley’s face, utterly confused. She wasn’t that old-fashioned or the type to dwell on what was proper or not. But she was sure it wouldn’t be proper if she were meeting a man in the middle of the night.

But this was Betty.

*****

Meanwhile, after completing her nightly routine, Betty sighed heavily as she slumped onto the edge of the bed, her eyes cast downward. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

She had already stayed longer on the plantation, even going as far as begging the plants to grow. She knew it wouldn’t change anything—there was nothing she could do—but she still felt restless. A few days ago, Ashley had been so proud of her—for the first time, someone had recognized her hard work.

She didn’t want to fail Ashley.

Deep in Betty’s heart, she wanted to be part of Ashley’s success. She wanted the madam to succeed in this venture... and she didn’t want others mocking Ashley if it failed. That was what she feared most.

"There must be something I can do, right?" She whispered, turning toward the study and getting up.

Instead of calling it a night, Betty went to her desk and reviewed reports from the gardeners. She immersed herself in articles about the problem, searching for anything she could do beyond what had already been tried.

As Betty stayed up—reading, researching, and taking notes—a light knock came at the door.

"Hmm?" she glanced back, brows furrowed. "It’s already late. Who could it be?"

Pushing her chair back, Betty approached the door and peeked outside.

"Hello! You sleeping?"

Betty nearly jumped when Ashley’s face suddenly appeared right in front of the gap. Confused as to why Ashley was here, she still opened the door wider.

But the moment the door opened further, Betty froze. Her pupils constricted and her breath caught in her throat.

Standing behind Ashley was...

Lucian.

Her heart thudded violently, cold sweat forming instantly on her back. Ashley’s presence was surprising enough, but why was the big boss here?

Is she going to fire me?!

Panic surged through her chest until Ashley suddenly raised a bunch of grapes, the stem clipped between her fingers.

"Can we come in?" Ashley smiled. "Lu brought these grapes to me today. They’re really good."

Lucian slid his gaze to his wife, then to the grapes he had, indeed, brought home for her. After all, he had noticed Ashley snacking on candies and junk food lately. However, when he arrived home, Nolan had informed him about the persisting issue on the plantation—something that quietly worried him.

Betty gulped as she nervously lowered her head, avoiding eye contact with Lucian. Without a word, she nodded meekly and stepped aside.

When Ashley walked in and Lucian followed, Betty’s breath hitched as she quickly glanced around her room.

Did she leave any underwear lying around? Was her room messy?

Betty wasn’t a messy person, but having Lucian in her space sent her anxiety through the roof.

Her trembling eyes followed him as he looked around, making her realize just how small her quarters felt. Not literally—this was the biggest room she had ever had—but with the big boss inside, it felt like the walls themselves were closing in.

Madam, why did you have to bring him here? she cried internally. Is it because you think it’ll be easier to kick me out if the master is present?!

"Betty."

Ashley’s voice snapped her out of it. Betty turned to see Ashley dragging a chair closer to the bed.

"What are you still doing there?" Ashley patted the edge of the bed. "Let’s eat."

Betty almost choked, casting a discreet glance at Lucian before forcing herself to comply.

Lucian had already settled in the corner, leaning against the wall beside the window, arms crossed as he stared outside.

When Betty sat on the edge of the bed, she flinched as Ashley extended her hand toward her.

"Madam?"

"Try it," Ashley said, already chewing a grape. "Lucian handpicked these for me. Say ah..."

Betty nearly choked before even tasting it. Sweat dripped down her forehead as she felt an overwhelming sense of pressure coming from Lucian’s direction. Her jaw locked, refusing to open.

But she didn’t need to.

Ashley simply pushed the grape through the small gap between her lips.

As Betty bit into it, her brows lifted in surprise. It was sweet.

"They’re good, right?" Ashley chuckled, popping another grape into her mouth as she snacked casually.

Betty stared at her in silence. Then, slowly... her racing heart began to calm.

Unlike her, who had been drowning in worry over their crisis, Ashley’s relaxed demeanor—snacking as if nothing was wrong—brought a strange sense of comfort.

It didn’t seem like Ashley came here with bad intentions.

In a quiet voice, Betty leaned closer. "Madam, why are you...?" she trailed off, glancing nervously at Lucian.

Ashley followed her gaze before looking back at her, her face souring slightly.

"He said it’s not proper for a married woman to meet someone in the dead of night," she whispered. "Even if that someone is also a woman."

"..." Betty pursed her lips.

"Anyway," Ashley cleared her throat, straightening up as she popped another grape into her mouth. "Betty, do you trust me?"

"Madam?"

"Would you listen to me if I told you not to worry about anything?" she hummed, her eyes curving slightly. "I told you before, didn’t I?"

She paused, her soft giggle echoing, enough to make even Lucian glance in their direction.

"I can’t just let anyone bully you... or me. Have you learned how blackmail works?"