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lingered most was the image of a woman hidden behind thick black-framed glasses and dressed in something plain and outdated, nothing like the strikingly beautiful woman sitting beside him now.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

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?"