The life of the underworld was something Ashley had dreamed of escaping all her life. Born as a bastard from an affair between an underworld kingpin and a prostitute, Ashley was meant to die even before she was born. The only reason she survived was that her father thought she was a boy.

From a young age, she understood that if she wanted to survive in this world of violence—on top of her father’s wife and daughter’s schemes—she had to be useful.

So, she made herself a promise: one day, she would escape this world.

Ashley almost succeeded… until her father found her again and thrust her into a marriage of convenience with his rival, Dominion, in his beloved daughter’s place.

Everyone in the underworld knew Dominion.

They were cruel, organized, and simply spawns of evil. And the man who stood above that power, Luciano, was said to be downright diabolical. Just their name alone could make anyone tremble.

And this organization was where Ashley now had to survive.

To make matters worse, the marriage also came with a child — Luciano’s mute heir.

Forced to become the wife of one of the most violent and powerful underworld organizations, and the mother of its future leader, Ashley made a vow.

“No matter what, I’ll escape this place!”

But she would soon realize it wouldn’t be as simple as that. Not when the feared members of Dominion clung to her feet, begging,

“Madam, don’t go!”

And when the mute stepson finally spoke, “Mommy, if you’re leaving, please take me with you.”

Finally, her diabolical, obsessive, and utterly territorial husband said,

“I’ve packed our things. Where should we go?”

***
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Meanwhile, in Lucian's office, Lucian stared at the boy standing across his desk. Primo held his drawing board up, looking back at him sternly.


Primo huffed and erased the words, only to scribble again before flipping it toward Lucian.


This was the first time Primo had gone out of his way to approach Lucian and protest. All because he heard Ashley's sister was outside.


"Primo," Lucian drew a calm breath, leaning back. "She's still her sister."


Primo's lips pressed tighter as he stomped toward the desk. Placing his drawing board on top of it, he wrote aggressively.


Reading that, Lucian arched a brow. "How did you know?"


He watched his son write more, fuming until he finished.


The father and son stared at each other—the adult wearing a calm exterior, as if nothing could ever crack it, while the boy fumed. Primo's little chest rose and fell heavily, his eyes red with anger.


Chapter 73 - Did That Turn You On?