In the instant before the trigger could be pulled, a silver blur cut through the air.

Thrown with flawless accuracy, a thin scalpel struck the gun and knocked the shot off course, forcing the group's leader to miss.

Without giving the men in black time to recover, Ashley moved ahead and placed herself squarely between the unconscious man and the weapon aimed at him.

Sharp resolve shone through her clear eyes as she delivered a firm warning. "You will not harm the patient I just saved."

Flexing his tingling hand, the leader curled his lip in contempt and replied, "Stupid girl. Get on your knees and beg right now, and I might let you entertain us for a moment before you die."

The moment he finished speaking, crude laughter rang out, and several filthy gazes dragged slowly over Ashley's curves.

One voice rose above the rest with a vulgar shout. "She has a great body. I am taking the first round!"

A cold scoff left Ashley's lips as she adjusted her sleeve, and another polished scalpel slid neatly into her grasp.

Gentle morning light washed over her youthful face, yet her eyes carried a lethal calm that made the air feel heavy.

The first man who rushed toward her never got close, as her scalpel sliced cleanly across his chest.

Agony tore through his chest without warning, and a wave of icy numbness swept over his body. When his gaze dropped, he realized his artery had been severed, and the pain forced him down onto his knees, leaving him unable to move.

Reacting at once, the man standing behind him lifted his weapon and aimed straight at Ashley's face.

Before he could even pull the trigger, his eyes locked with Ashley's. A sharp crack split the air, and an overwhelming force shattered his wrist.

"Ah… my hand!" His screams carried across the open field without restraint.

Still frozen in disbelief, the remaining men never stood a chance. One by one, their throats were cut by Ashley's scalpel, blood spraying as their bodies were sent flying with brutal kicks.

Standing tall with casual contempt, Ashley slipped the scalpel away and said, "Pathetic."

Without warning, a second wave of men dressed in black emerged, their numbers far exceeding those who had fallen moments earlier.

A shadow crossed Ashley's eyes. Just who was this man, to draw so many killers to his side?

In the next instant, a tall presence stirred behind her.

Turning around, Ashley realized the man who was supposed to remain unconscious for hours was now standing awake right before her.

A sharp and dangerous intensity settled in Elijah's eyes, and his presence alone felt oppressive. With cold restraint, he said to his bodyguards, "No one touches her."

Casually, as if the threat had nothing to do with her, Ashley slid the scalpel back into her sleeve.

Moving quickly, Maverick Clarke, the lead bodyguard, placed a cloak around Elijah's shoulders and said, "We apologize, Mr. Fletcher. We arrived too late. The Nocturne discovered our arrangement here and crossed into our territory. Their people have already been taken care of."

At that report, Elijah's brow furrowed, and his rough voice carried a clear menace. "Send their bodies back to the Nocturne's base. Make sure they understand that I will personally collect this debt."

Without hesitation, Maverick answered, "Understood, Mr. Fletcher."

Nearby, Ashley stood frozen as their exchange sank in.

The Nocturne. Mr. Fletcher.

Could this man really be Elijah Fletcher, the head of the Eclipse Syndicate and the only son of Jeff Fletcher, the richest man in Uprurg and the chairman of the Sky Group?

Stories of his brutality and merciless nature surfaced in her mind, each one darker than the last.

Instinct told her to steer clear of a man like him.

With her decision made, Ashley lifted her medical kit and prepared to walk away, only for a firm arm to cut off her exit.

Glancing over her shoulder, she met Elijah's cold stare. "Do you need something else?" she asked calmly.

Without emotion, Elijah studied her, and his voice remained flat as he spoke. "I am looking for a private physician. $5 million a year. You will come with me."

"I will pass," Ashley responded lightly before turning away again.

Increasing the stakes, Elijah added, "$15 million."

Her steps slowed, and she turned back with deliberate ease. A bright smile appeared on Ashley's face as she spoke. "Since you are being this generous, I will take the job."

Carrying her medical kit, Ashley followed Elijah and got into the waiting car with him.

Some time later, the quiet inside the vehicle was broken when Elijah's phone began to ring.

The caller was his grandmother, Rita Fletcher.

With obvious excitement, Rita spoke into the phone. "Eli, your wife has just returned after finishing three years of studies abroad. You should contact her and set up a meeting. I want to meet my granddaughter-in-law."

A slight frown appeared on Elijah's face. So she was back.

The timing could not have been better, since this gave him the perfect chance to meet her and bring up the divorce.

"Grandma, send me her contact number. I will take care of the arrangements," he replied, speaking evenly.

Almost immediately, Rita forwarded the number to him.

Acting without delay, Elijah pressed the dial.

Seconds later, a ringtone echoed right beside him from Ashley's phone.

Shock tightened Elijah's gaze, and he turned his head sharply to look straight at Ashley.

At the same time, a mechanical and emotionless voice sounded in Elijah's ear. "The number you have dialed is currently unavailable."

Nearby, Ashley had already picked up a call; her voice kept low as she turned her back toward him.

Lowering his phone slowly, Elijah watched the screen fade to black while his thoughts drifted back to the day of the marriage registration.

That memory felt blurred and indistinct.

What lingered most was the image of a woman hidden behind thick black-framed glasses and dressed in something plain and outdated, nothing like the strikingly beautiful woman sitting beside him now.

A faint, self-directed smile tugged at Elijah's lips, and the tension between his brows eased.

He must be reading too much into it.

Elsewhere in the car, Ashley was quietly speaking with her grandfather, Rory Scott.

"Sweetie, you left the country right after getting married," Rory said gently. "How does that count as being a proper wife?"

A frustrated pout formed on Ashley's lips as anger simmered beneath the surface. For three full years, that man had never called her even once, and it felt as though he had completely forgotten he was married.

With a gentle sigh, Rory offered his advice. "Since you have come back, you should make an effort to get along with him and take on your duties as a wife. If you can, give me a few great-grandchildren as well. That way, I will die a happy man."

From the start, Ashley had entered the marriage purely out of obligation and never planned to tie her future to a man she did not know.

Even so, she answered obediently, "Alright. I will talk things through with him. Grandpa, can you give me his contact number?"

"That is more like it. I will ask his grandmother and send it to you," Rory said with a chuckle before ending the call.

In truth, Ashley had only agreed to meet her husband so she could bring up the matter of divorce.

Lost in thought, she did not notice when the car slowed to a stop in front of a grand villa.

Casting her a sideways glance, Elijah spoke with a hint of playful curiosity in his eyes. "What is your name?"

"Ashley Scott," Ashley replied, offering a polite smile, and her eyes curved slightly even though a chill lingered within them.

Elijah only arched an eyebrow, falling silent.

Once they stepped away from the car, Ashley briefly thought about asking whether he needed support to make it inside.

That thought faded quickly when she noticed Elijah exit on his own, his pace steady and confident.

Never before had she witnessed someone with injuries that severe move as though their body felt no pain at all.

Within the villa, two people were already waiting in the living room.

One of them was a man with short red hair, a black earring fixed to his right ear, and a wing tattoo stretching along his neck. His gaze carried a cold and merciless edge.

Next to him sat a woman dressed in a mini skirt and a camel-colored trench coat, her makeup bold and heavy. The moment she looked at Ashley, open hostility flickered across her face.

Both of them were Elijah's most dependable subordinates, Darin Watson and Luciana Marsh.

Without hesitation, Luciana hurried forward, and concern showed plainly on her face. "Mr. Fletcher, I heard you were attacked by the Nocturne. Are you hurt anywhere?"

In a low and controlled tone, Elijah answered, "Everything has already been handled."

After that, Luciana shifted her attention to Ashley, who remained at his side. "Who is this woman?"

"She serves as my private physician." Elijah spoke in a tone that carried no trace of warmth.

For a brief moment, Luciana stiffened, and clear hostility showed in her gaze. "We already have a full-time doctor here. Why would you need to bring in someone else?"

Ever since she was fifteen, she had stayed close to Elijah, and during all those years, he had never once brought another woman into the villa.

Fixing her with a sharp and unyielding look, Elijah said, "She's exclusively for me."

After that, he shifted his attention to the butler and gave a short command. "Escort Ms. Scott upstairs and let her rest."

Color drained from Luciana's face, and she spoke again with urgency. "Mr. Fletcher, allowing someone we do not know to stay here puts you at risk."

Hearing that, Elijah narrowed his eyes, and the air around him grew heavy with warning.

He had no tolerance for being challenged.

Sensing the shift in his mood, Luciana quickly bowed her head. "I apologize, Mr. Fletcher. I spoke out of turn."

Once she straightened, her sharp stare followed Ashley as she went upstairs.

There was no chance she would allow that infuriating woman to remain here.

Without sparing a glance back, Elijah headed upstairs and made his way into the study.

He could not recall what his wife in name even looked like, and he knew Rita would not let it slide if he failed to recognize his own wife when they eventually met.

All at once, a memory surfaced about the marriage certificate he had casually tossed into a drawer inside the study.

Reaching the desk, Elijah pulled the drawer open, and the certificate lay exactly where he remembered leaving it.

After lifting it out, he opened the document, and shock spread across his face as his eyes fixed on what he saw.

The marriage certificate rested in Elijah's hand, and a sharp chill settled into his gaze as he studied it.

Earlier, he clearly remembered attaching a photo of his wife to the document, yet the picture was gone now, leaving behind a noticeable bite mark.

Without much doubt, he concluded that the damage had been done by the large and unruly dog he kept around.

With little care, Elijah returned the certificate to the drawer, and a dull ache crept into his head since he still could not reach the woman by phone to arrange a meeting.

Throughout the years, the credit card he had given her showed no trace of use, as though she had disappeared entirely from his life.

In the end, Elijah saw no option but to be honest with his grandmother.

Clearly irritated, Rita did not bother to hide her frustration as she said, "You have neglected her for years. If I were in her place, I would not want to take your calls either. I have already spoken with your wife's grandfather, and we will meet at Savored Moments this Saturday evening. You should go to her apartment yourself and invite her properly so that she can see your sincerity."

Before Elijah managed to say a word, Rita sent him the address. Heights Residences, Room 1609.

Giving in to Rita was unavoidable for Elijah, and he accepted her decision despite his reluctance.

Sometime deep into the night, Ashley's phone vibrated.

A new message appeared, sent by Rory, along with a long sequence of digits.

In the text, he wrote, "I've already coordinated with your husband's grandmother, and you'll meet at Savored Moments this weekend. Think of a reason to move in with your husband. If you want a child someday, the two of you need to build a proper relationship."

Reading it left Ashley torn between laughter and irritation.

After storing the number, she decided she would bring up the topic of divorce with the man when the time came.

That first night in the villa passed restlessly for Ashley, and sleep refused to settle.

Sometime after midnight, she rose from the bed, went downstairs, and poured herself a glass of water in the kitchen.

Once she returned upstairs, she carefully found her way back into the room and lay down again.

Seeking comfort, she intended to pull the blanket close and wrapped her arms around it, wishing for deeper sleep.

Moments later, something felt off, as the surface beneath her touch seemed far too solid.

As her hand moved across it, she realized she was touching warm, firm muscle, and the unexpected heat and solidity made her pause.

As her hand continued to move, unease crept in, and she became certain something was wrong.

Without warning, a man's cold voice cut through the haze. "Have you had enough?"

The sound startled Ashley fully awake.

Shock ripped a gasp from her, and she lashed out instinctively, yet her kick was stopped when he seized her ankle in one clean motion.

A sharp click followed, and the room was suddenly flooded with light.

Only then did Ashley clearly see that the man on the bed was Elijah.

Cold indifference filled his eyes, and during the brief struggle, his silk robe loosened, showing the solid frame of a grown man.

Heat rushed to Ashley's face as she asked, "Why are you in my room?"

Resting back against the bed with lazy composure, Elijah replied, "Open your eyes. This room belongs to me."

Driven by instinct, Ashley glanced toward the nightstand, but her medical kit was nowhere in sight, and the unfamiliar layout caught her attention.

In that moment, the truth dawned on her, and she realized she had walked into the wrong room.

Uneasiness surged through her, and she tried to pull away in a hurry, only to remember that Elijah still had a firm grip on her ankle.

She had slipped into a nightdress and wore nothing else beneath it.

A slow glance from Elijah traced her figure through the thin fabric, leaving nothing unnoticed.

He lifted his gaze, his eyes sharp and cool, a faintly mocking smile curving his lips. "Dr. Scott, sneaking into my bed this late at night. What exactly are you trying to do?"

Fury surged through Ashley at his implication, and her breathing grew uneven. "I am not familiar with this place, so I walked into the wrong room."

In a tone full of provocation, Elijah said, "That's a lame excuse."

"Think whatever you like!" Anger burned across Ashley's face as she pushed herself up, but her foot caught the blanket, and she lost her balance, pitching forward.

In that split second, everything seemed to halt.

The sharp pain she expected never arrived because a strong arm wrapped around Ashley in time.

Ashley found herself pulled firmly against Elijah's chest.

Warmth spread through her senses, and the unmistakable scent of a man surrounded her.

When she opened her eyes, she realized her lips had landed directly against Elijah's.

Ashley's thoughts emptied all at once, and tension crept across her scalp while heat rushed to her cheeks.

"I'm sorry. I really did not mean for that to happen!" Panic took over as Ashley scrambled away from Elijah, her voice on the verge of breaking. Right after speaking, she covered her face and rushed out of the room.

Once she reached the guest room, Ashley dove beneath the blanket, and the lingering sensation on her lips refused to fade.

Throughout the night, her face stayed hot, and her heart would not slow down, leaving her unable to rest properly.

Morning eventually came, and when Ashley went downstairs, she found Luciana and Darin gathered in the living room with several subordinates.

Moving closer, Luciana stepped behind Ashley on purpose, and with a motion that seemed careless, she slipped the phone hidden in her hand into the pocket of Ashley's coat.

With a faint sneer, Luciana asked, "Dr. Scott, where did you complete your studies?"

Keeping her composure, Ashley replied, "I graduated from Trinity Medical School, and I hold a PhD."

A mocking laugh followed as Luciana said, "A PhD? I doubt it. That certificate probably came from some shady place."

At her remark, the room turned quiet, and every gaze shifted toward Ashley with open contempt.

None of them was willing to trust Ashley's claim.

Given her youthful appearance, which placed her squarely in her mid twenties, they found it impossible to believe she held a doctorate and concluded she was fabricating the story.

Letting out a sharp scoff, Ashley said, "If you doubt me that much, why not let me examine you?"

As she spoke, Ashley's hand closed around Luciana's wrist, and Luciana immediately tried to pull away. Yet no matter how hard she struggled, Ashley's grip would not loosen.

"What is happening here?" Elijah's voice cut in as he stepped forward, his presence pressing down with quiet menace.

Once she finally wrenched herself free, Luciana hurried to his side and spoke quickly. "Mr. Fletcher, I discovered why the Nocturne knew our location yesterday. There was an informant inside, and that person is Ashley."