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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"Get in!" Warriyo shouted as soon as they reached the getaway car. He looked back at Nelek after loading the injured Khan inside, only to find Nelek standing there, staring at the car.


"Nelek!" he snapped. "Get it together!"


"This won't do," Nelek muttered, scanning their surroundings before his eyes landed on Warriyo. They drifted briefly to Khan, already slumped inside. "Get his clothes."


Without explaining himself, Nelek pushed past Warriyo and leaned into the car. He grabbed Khan's bloody shirt and tore it clean off. He took the most saturated section, balled it up, and hurried to the front of the car.


"Nelek," Warriyo called, following him around to the hood, and stopped when he saw what Nelek was doing.


He watched, lines deepening on his face, as Nelek dragged the blood-soaked fabric across the hood in broad strokes, forming large, unmistakable letters.


"Madam's order?" Warriyo whispered, baffled. "Nelek, what the hell is this?"


Chapter 196 - Madam's Orders