Primo woke up and went through his morning routine as usual.

By the time he arrived at the dining room, Lucian was already sipping his medicinal tea, while Ashley was setting the breakfast table right on schedule.

"Good morning, Primo," she greeted with a lovely smile.

Primo studied her expression.

Ashley always smiled at him. Even during difficult times, she somehow managed to give him one.

But today, it felt different.

There was a glow about her that was hard to pinpoint yet impossible to ignore.

Her aura had changed.

And he liked it.

Primo smiled back as he watched her head to the kitchen for the last few dishes. Then he turned to his father, curiosity evident in his eyes.

Lucian arched a brow and looked up from the newspaper.

He gave Primo a wink.

That alone told the boy everything he needed to know.

Primo immediately raised both thumbs in approval.

Just then, Ashley returned and set down the last dishes.

Like always, the family of three spent the morning together in peace.

There was less conversation than usual, but the atmosphere in the house felt calmer than ever.

As if nothing in the world could ruin it.

*****

"Lucian, are you sure you’re going to drop him off?" Ashley asked as they stood by the roadside outside the mansion.

Her car was already waiting for her, while Lucian’s modified vehicle sat a few meters behind it.

Lucian nodded. Meanwhile, Primo hurried to his side.

[Mama, don’t worry about us!]

Primo beamed.

"He’s right." Lucian nodded, his eyes fixed on Ashley. "This one, I can handle."

Ashley smacked her lips, still a little worried.

Then again, considering Lucian could ride a motorbike at speeds well beyond the limit, taking Primo to school wasn’t exactly a difficult task.

"Fine," she hummed, pinching Primo’s cheek before doing the same to Lucian. "I’m heading to work then."

She kissed Primo lightly on top of his head before planting a kiss on Lucian’s cheek.

The latter escorted her to her car and opened the door for her—a task that was technically Gustav’s responsibility.

"Master," Gustav greeted from beside the front passenger door.

Lucian barely noticed him. He simply raised a hand over Ashley’s head as she slid into the back seat.

Once she was settled inside, he leaned down and looked at her.

"I’ll pick you up later."

Ashley bit her lip and nodded. "Sure. I’ll see you later."

She waved at him. The pink plastic ring around her pinky looked slightly out of place.

Lucian’s eyes briefly drifted to it before he nodded.

Then he closed the door and turned toward Gustav.

Gustav immediately lowered his head.

"Take care of her." That was all Lucian said.

Yet Gustav understood everything behind those words.

"Yes, Master."

With that, Lucian walked away.

As Gustav watched him go, he noticed Red and his crew jogging across the street toward where Lucian and Primo stood.

Gustav let out a shallow breath before climbing into the front passenger seat.

This feels like a drill, he thought as he settled into place.

He glanced at Ashley’s bodyguards gathering around the father and son.

It’s like they just exchanged people.

From the looks of it, Red and his crew—along with Khan’s men—had grown far too comfortable around Lucian and Primo.

The thought lingered in his mind.

As the car rolled away, Ashley also watched her husband, son, and bodyguards through the window.

"They’re acting way too chummy with him," she commented under her breath, chuckling softly.

The sight was oddly refreshing.

She continued watching until they disappeared from view.

The moment she turned forward again, the soft smile on her face remained, but her eyes naturally sharpened.

Yet despite the shift in expression, her heart felt lighter.

Her mind no longer felt clouded or suffocated.

If anything, she felt as though she had just woken up after a full night’s sleep, refreshed and ready to deal with whatever nonsense awaited her at the company.

"Gustav."

The moment her tone changed, Gustav immediately looked back.

Khan, who sat behind the wheel, instinctively straightened.

There was something about Ashley’s business voice that put everyone on alert.

A glint flickered across her eyes.

"What do you mean Nikki is taking office here?" she asked, finally addressing the email Gustav had sent her that morning.

The previous night, Gustav had left several missed calls.

But since she had spent the entire evening with Lucian, she hadn’t checked her phone.

She only saw the notifications this morning.

Gustav lowered his head.

"My apologies. I didn’t see this coming. But it seems the board was displeased that you delayed one of the major projects the company has been anticipating."

"The board..." Ashley trailed off. "Lucian’s board, or the company’s shareholders?"

Those were two entirely different groups.

She wasn’t asking for clarification because she didn’t know.

She was asking to avoid making a mistake.

"The shareholders," Gustav replied. "The members of the High Chamber. They’re recommending several people to assist at headquarters while the Master is away."

"Or at least, that’s what they’re claiming."

Ashley let out a dry laugh.

The High Chamber pretending to care about her workload—or expressing concern that she needed more support—was simply their excuse to interfere.

"Is this possible?" she asked.

Gustav nodded.

"It shouldn’t be without the Master’s approval. However, after what happened, there’s a code we follow. If the Master—"

"Isn’t in full health, the elders take charge of everything," Ashley finished, leaning back.

"Yes," Gustav said. "Even with their votes, your position remains unstable if you’re expected to oversee both the company and Dominion simultaneously."

Different circumstances.

Same people.

Same tactics.

Ashley laughed dryly and shook her head.

"Fine," she checked the time on her wristwatch. "If that’s what they want."

Gustav frowned.

"Madam, I don’t think allowing them to have their way is a good decision. We should call for an emergency board meeting and address the matter immediately."

"There’s no need for that." Ashley shook her head. "If I resist now, I’ll put myself in just as difficult a position as I would if they were already inside. The only difference is..."

She paused and turned her gaze toward the passing scenery outside.

"...there are advantages to keeping your enemies close."

Ashley had destroyed Nikki brutally in her previous life because the woman kept pushing her luck.

In this life, she hadn’t intended to touch her.

There had been no reason to.

Until now.

But that didn’t mean Ashley lacked plans of her own. Especially now that the opportunity had presented itself.