[Meanwhile, in Dominion’s New Neighborhood.]

Ashley jogged down the stairs and spotted Nolan downstairs.

"Nolan, you’re alone?" She hummed, watching Nolan turn toward her.

He smiled warmly, as usual. "The maids finished cleaning early. Are you done with your meeting, Madam?"

"Mhm." She dragged her feet toward the kitchen and checked the food on the table.

"Are you hungry, Madam?" Nolan asked as he followed her, tilting his head to study her expression.

Ashley smiled as she glanced at him. "No, I’m just checking if I can take this to my room."

"Do you want to eat in your room?"

"Mhm." She nodded. "I have some things to do, and I told the guys I’d be staying home, so they should accompany Betty. Besides, I need to handle a few things while Lucian is on a business trip."

Nolan let out a light chuckle. "Then I’ll bring everything to your room."

"It’s alright! I’ll do it!" Ashley waved dismissively as she headed to the kitchen to grab a plate. She took some fruit and a few things she could snack on before flashing Nolan a big smile.

"Nolan, you should enjoy this slow life we have," she advised. "Red will pick up Primo later, so I’m really not leaving today."

Having said that, she marched back toward the stairs while adding, "I’ll come down before Primo gets home. Also, don’t disturb me! I’m going to play a game and beat Primo later!"

Nolan stared at Ashley as she hurried upstairs, tilting his head slightly.

"Is she bored without the master?" he wondered. Lucian had left for a business trip the previous night. "I suppose she is. The master always tries to avoid business trips whenever he can handle things from the office."

Not thinking much about it, Nolan shrugged and decided not to bother her anymore.

At this point, he had already learned not to disturb Ashley. If she was practicing to beat Primo at a game, then that meant she needed to focus.

Meanwhile, as Ashley entered the bedroom, she instinctively locked the door and sat down on the chair. She glanced at the laptop she had been working on earlier before shifting her attention to the second monitor she had set up a few days ago.

Picking up one earbud, she slipped it into her ear and popped a grape into her mouth.

"My boo, I’m here~!" she hummed sweetly. "Can you hear me?"

A few seconds later, Lucian’s voice sounded through the earbud.

"Mhm." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Ashley smiled brightly.

"Eat well~! I’m eating snacks too, so you don’t feel lonely!"

*****

[At the secret meeting]

"And when a boat is about to sink, it is better to jump off before you drown with it."

Another silence fell over the room, all eyes focused on Lukas. Their sharp gazes studied his brief reaction, and they could immediately tell he had not expected this.

Questions regarding legitimacy were enormous within Dominion. And once legitimacy was questioned, everyone knew things would snowball from there. Not to mention, the issue involved the higher circle of their organization.

This was not merely a coup born out of dissatisfaction.

It was an internal power struggle backed by a weaponized political reason to shake Lucian’s position. And if the High Chambers began questioning his right to lead, everyone beneath them would eventually be forced to choose a side.

Right now, these people were offering others the privilege of choosing early.

Lukas quietly analyzed the situation, lowering his gaze to the teacup before him.

"A sinking boat, huh?" he murmured, slowly rocking his head in understanding.

When he lifted his gaze to meet theirs, he let out a defeated chuckle.

"It is indeed a sinking boat."

Because these people — even if they were merely bitter old men jealous of the younger generation — would never openly display their greed, ambition, and envy just to win people over. Instead, they weaponized Dominion’s survival instinct to sway others.

After all, no one wanted to remain on a sinking boat.

"What a complicated thing," Lukas muttered with a deep breath as he studied their faces.

Some smirked, while others simply shrugged indifferently. As for Hector, he merely stared at Lukas knowingly before reaching for his teacup again.

"The High Elder recognizes your talent and acknowledges your work as Dominion’s left hand," Dante remarked sternly. "That is why he is giving you this opportunity."

"Of course, an opportunity," Lukas nodded. "I am, after all, amazing in my own right."

The composure on their faces cracked slightly at that blatant arrogance.

"But before I decide whether this is worth the risk or not, there’s something I’m more curious about," Lukas continued, ignoring the others as he looked directly at Hector. "High Elder... why me?"

Everyone raised their brows at him.

"Sure, no one can ignore my merits, but isn’t there another person who would make a better partner for all of this?" Lukas tilted his head. "I may be the Black Dragon’s left hand, but surely his right hand has greater influence over Dominion’s military power and internal affairs. He may not look like it, but he’s quite smart when necessary."

He paused before letting out a dry laugh.

"Not to mention, he has far more patience than I do." Lukas slowly leaned back. "So... why me?"

"Because Gustav is a lost cause," Dante answered without hesitation. "We considered him before, but we realized Gustav is not someone who would ever turn his back on Lucian."

"Ahh..." Lukas slowly nodded, the corners of his mouth twitching before he laughed quietly.

He pressed the tip of his middle finger against the space between his brows, chuckling as his tongue ran along the inside of his cheek. Then, once his laughter subsided, he muttered,

"Motherfuckers."

His voice was quiet, but everyone heard it loud and clear.

The men frowned, while Hector furrowed his brows.

Lukas suddenly lifted his head and smacked his lips, irritation obvious as the vein along his jaw tightened.

"They say you should respect your elders, and I try to do that even if Dominion itself doesn’t follow that principle," he remarked coldly. "But why do you people make it so difficult?"

"Lukas, what are you talking abou—"

Vincent was abruptly cut off when Lukas slammed his hand against the table.

"What I’m saying is, I’m annoyed how people easily question where my loyalty lies. You call Gustav a lost cause because there’s no way he would betray the man he serves?" Lukas seethed.

"Then what about me? Do I really look like someone who could be swayed by accusations of murder and abandon the pledge I made when I accepted the position of his left hand? Our lives have revolved around death and danger since the beginning."

Lukas drew a deep breath before huffing sharply, forcing himself to control his temper.

"Good grief," he muttered. "Why do you have to annoy me even more than you already have?"

Slowly, he recomposed himself and reached for another teacup.

"How about I suggest something else instead?" he asked while pouring himself another cup of tea.

After setting the teapot down, Lukas looked at them again.

"How about, before you start your coup, you all get down on your knees and beg for a better way to die?"

"What?"

Everyone’s frowns deepened, while even Hector’s expression darkened.

"Lukas—"

Before Hector could continue and calm the situation, the sliding door on the opposite side suddenly opened sharply.

The room they were in was private, but old, and interconnected by sliding doors on both sides.

The moment the door opened, everyone instinctively turned.

There, in the adjoining room — identical to theirs — sat a man quietly eating his lunch.

Lucian.