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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The gunshot thundered through the room. But the silence that followed was far more deafening.


For a brief second, everyone could almost hear the flatline slicing through the quiet.


Memphis's face twisted as he clutched his chest, desperately pressing against the wound to stop the bleeding.


The High Elder kept his gun raised at him. His eyes remained locked with Lucian's. Only after a moment did he glance at Memphis before calmly lowering the weapon.


"Lucian, I do not appreciate how every time you need something from this chamber, your first instinct is to threaten us," the High Elder continued, speaking as though he hadn't just shot someone. "Even so, I'm letting this slide simply because I trust that the Black Dragon would not point fingers without reason."


He studied the High Elder before his gaze slowly shifted toward Memphis, who was fighting to stay conscious.


Chapter 441 - Where Is Memphis?