Secretly Cherished: From Forgotten Bride To The Mafia Boss's Queen

A sharp glimmer crossed her gaze as Ashley curled her lips in mockery. "Me? You think I'm the one feeding information from the inside?"

Luciana spoke without hesitation. "Then explain this. Mr. Fletcher was hurt in a deserted area, and you just happened to be there at the same time. How is that not suspicious?"

Without raising her voice, Ashley explained steadily, "I went there to look for medicinal herbs. That's all."

Refusing to back down, Luciana said with certainty, "Stop pretending. You belong to the Nocturne. Your group was exposed, so you played the role of a random bystander. Even if you weren't involved in yesterday's operation, the Nocturne would still have arranged for you to show up and worm your way into Mr. Fletcher's inner circle as a spy."

A laugh escaped Ashley, light and disbelieving, as though the accusation amused her. "If you're so convinced, then bring out your proof."

Cold authority filled Elijah's voice as his expression hardened. "She was brought here by me. I made that decision myself. Are you questioning my judgment?"

Tension tightened Luciana's features as she replied, "No, Mr. Fletcher. But I do have evidence that Ashley is working as a spy."

Reaching for her phone, she continued firmly, "We captured a low-ranking leader from the Nocturne yesterday. He gave us the contact number used by their spy. Once I place this call, the truth will come out."

Darin spoke up at once, his tone serious. "Mr. Fletcher, she's telling the truth. I was there as well."

Fire flashed in her eyes as Luciana said, "Mr. Fletcher, once the spy is identified, you cannot hesitate. She must be dealt with immediately."

With an unyielding look, Elijah gave a short command. "Place the call."

Leaning back against the sofa, Ashley casually unwrapped a lollipop and slipped it between her lips. After that, she lifted her legs onto the coffee table, settling into a relaxed pose while wearing an expression filled with open amusement.

Luciana cast a sideways look at Ashley, and her thoughts turned sharp and calculating. In her mind, the woman remained completely unaware that a trap had already been laid. Once the phone rang, Elijah's wrath would come crashing down on her.

Recalling the phone she had secretly slipped into Ashley's coat pocket earlier, Luciana tapped the call button without hesitation.

A moment later, the quiet living room was filled with the sound of a ringing phone.

Heads turned all at once toward the noise, and shock spread quickly when everyone realized the sound came from Luciana.

Stiffness seized Luciana's body as dread washed over her.

Her heartbeat thundered as she slowly lowered her gaze toward her own coat pocket.

The spy's phone was right there with her. No matter how she tried to reason it away, the reality was impossible to deny.

Color drained from Luciana's face until it turned deathly pale, and her voice shook as disbelief took hold. "How could this happen? This makes no sense at all!"

Her gaze snapped toward Ashley, and shock was written clearly across her features. When had Ashley found the chance to slip the phone into her pocket without her noticing?

With a slow lick of her lollipop, Ashley watched Luciana's reaction, clearly entertained by the sight.

As a surgeon with exceptional precision and reflexes, she obviously could put the phone into Luciana's pocket without her knowing.

From the moment Luciana deliberately moved closer, Ashley had already raised her guard.

By pretending to examine Luciana's condition, Ashley created a perfect distraction and used that brief moment to slide the phone neatly into Luciana's coat pocket.

Ashley addressed Elijah with a grin. "Mr. Fletcher, are you gonna take out the spy?"

Trapped by her own scheme, Luciana panicked and lashed out in desperation. "Mr. Fletcher, I have always been loyal to you! Someone must have set me up!"

Convinced that Luciana was innocent, Darin stepped in at once and said, "Luciana has done too much for you, Mr. Fletcher. There's no way she's a spy. This has to be someone else's doing."

A sharp edge colored her tone as Ashley spoke. "Wasn't it Luciana who claimed the number came from a minor leader and insisted there was a spy among us? Or were you planning to pin everything on me?"

Left completely exposed, Luciana stood frozen and was unable to form a single reply.

The thought of being defeated by someone so young had never once crossed her mind.

Without hesitation, Darin pulled out his gun and aimed it at Ashley. "Answer me clearly. Did you set Luciana up?"

In his eyes, years of shared loyalty carried far more weight than the words of a woman he had only just encountered.

Ashley lifted her gaze, and cold intent surfaced within it. She was ready to move when a sudden crash shattered the moment.

Elijah had sent the chair in front of him tumbling aside. Rage burned in his eyes, and his presence filled the room with danger.

Silence swept through the living room, and no one dared to breathe.

Fixing Luciana with a piercing stare, Elijah delivered his warning in a low, deadly voice. "If this happens again, you already know what awaits you."

In response, Luciana bowed her head quickly, and grievance mixed with stubborn defiance showed in her eyes. "I understand, Mr. Fletcher. Please forgive me."

In a detached tone, Elijah gave his instruction. "We are meeting Lachlan today to discuss acquiring Legacy Street. Make sure nothing holds us up."

After saying that, he turned and left the room. Ashley rose from her seat soon after and followed him outside.

As she moved past Luciana, Ashley paused just long enough to deliver a warning in a cold voice. "If you try me again, you will regret it."

Anger burned fiercely in Luciana's eyes, and a quiet promise of revenge took shape in her mind.

Moments later, Ashley followed Elijah into the car.

Inside the vehicle, silence pressed in heavily, and Elijah's oppressive presence filled the space until it felt difficult to breathe.

Keeping his cold stare locked on Ashley, Elijah spoke with sharp clarity. "Dr. Scott, you are not only impressive with a scalpel. You also have quite the talent for taking things without being noticed."

Tension ran through Ashley's body, and her pulse faltered for a brief instant.

Realization struck her immediately. He had seen through her actions, which only proved how frighteningly perceptive he was.

This man truly lived up to his reputation as a mafia boss.

With that thought lingering, she shifted closer to him until only a narrow distance remained between their faces, and her warm breath brushed against his skin in a deliberate, teasing manner.

She muttered, "Mr. Fletcher, you should rein in your people before they humiliate themselves by provoking me."

Without warning, the car veered sharply, and Ashley lost her balance, tumbling straight into Elijah's lap as her forehead struck firmly against his solid thigh.

Pain flickered across her face, and confusion overtook her as she slowly processed where she had landed.

A dark chill settled over Elijah's expression.

From where she was, Ashley sensed the tension in his leg and something starting to strain against his pants.

Almost immediately, a broad hand closed around her shoulder with unyielding force.

Elijah leaned in, his commanding presence enveloping her as his fingers caught her heated earlobe.

In a voice lowered to a dangerous whisper, he asked, "Dr. Scott, are you finding this position enjoyable?"