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?"

"Speaking strictly in terms of anatomy, the proportions are actually ideal," Ashley said without thinking.

As soon as the sentence left her mouth, the atmosphere inside the car dropped into an uncomfortable chill.

A sharp darkness settled into Elijah's gaze, heavy with restrained anger.

She had pushed him too far.

Within this territory, Elijah held absolute authority, and people feared him for his cruelty and lack of mercy.

Getting under his skin was never a smart decision.

Realizing her mistake, Ashley felt her pulse race, yet she forced a tight smile and narrowed her eyes, hoping to undo the damage. "That is not what I meant, Mr. Fletcher. What I wanted to say is that you are remarkable, far more capable and impressive than anyone else I have seen."

Some of the hostility in Elijah's eyes eased, and it was clear that her words had caught him off guard.

Moments earlier, she had stood her ground without fear, but now she wore a gentle smile that looked almost harmless.

That sudden change in her attitude stirred an unexpected sense of irritation within him.

"Such a sharp mouth," Elijah said as he let go of her and struck a match for his cigarette, his tone low and compelling. "Stay close to me, and do not go anywhere on your own."

"Understood, Mr. Fletcher." Ashley gave a compliant nod before adding, "Please drop me off at the next junction. I need to stop by my place to collect a few necessities."

Instead of answering, Elijah motioned for her to take the phone.

Catching his meaning at once, Ashley accepted it and saved her number without hesitation.

Everything she did was careful and obedient, making it hard to believe she was the same person who had spoken so boldly earlier.

After the car reached the downtown area, the driver slowed and stopped at the side of the road so Ashley could step out.

Before she closed the door, Elijah spoke again. "Once you are finished, come find me at the shop on No. 1 Northway Street."

"Alright, I am heading out now." Ashley's eyes curved into a sly yet charming smile.

Soon after, she climbed into a taxi and gave the driver the address for Heights Residences.

Upon arrival, she went straight upstairs, pulled out her keys, and unlocked the door to condo 1609.

She had purchased the place before leaving the country and later rented it out, keeping only a single room for storage.

After stepping inside, Ashley collected several sets of clothes along with a few everyday essentials.

While she was packing, Ashley's eyes drifted toward a bag she had not touched in years, and she recalled that it held a picture of the man along with the bank card he had given her.

In truth, they had crossed paths only once, and she could no longer remember his face clearly.

From what she recalled, he was tall and broad, wore a thick beard, and gave off the impression of being difficult to deal with. She doubted he was particularly attractive.

With that thought lingering, Ashley pulled out the picture.

Unfortunately, moisture had seeped into the paper, and the folds had stuck together, leaving the image impossible to make out.

Without much concern, she placed the picture back into the bag, slipped the bank card into her pocket, and resumed packing her things.

At the same time, Elijah stepped into an upscale boutique filled with luxury items.

After browsing carefully, he chose a diamond necklace that featured a clean and timeless design.

Over the years, he knew he had failed to fulfill his role as a husband, so he believed that a thoughtfully chosen gift could serve as a quiet apology.

Above all else, he wanted his grandmother to see that he was making an effort to hold the marriage together and that his distance from his wife had never been intentional.

He believed that showing genuine effort might persuade the woman to accept a divorce with less resistance.

Once he left the jewelry boutique, Elijah drove straight to Heights Residences without delay.

Outside the building, he stepped out of the car, and his tall figure stretched a long shadow across the ground.

Inside the elevator, he pressed the button for the sixteenth floor and soon found himself standing in front of condo 1609.

Reaching the door, Elijah lifted his hand and knocked firmly.

From within, the sound of heavy footsteps grew closer before the door finally swung open.

Looking up, Elijah realized at once that the woman he expected was nowhere in sight.

In her place stood a tall man who had a bathrobe loosely secured around his waist.

Water still clung to the man's hair, and the lingering freshness of a recent shower surrounded him as he stared at Elijah with clear caution and suspicion.

Impatience colored his tone as he asked, "Who are you here to see?"

Shock hit Elijah all at once, and his pupils tightened as every line he had prepared vanished from his mind.

So this was the reason she had not reached out to him in three long years.

At that realization, a surge of humiliation and anger swept through Elijah, and it erased the last trace of restraint he had been holding onto.

Even without affection between them, the law still bound her to him as his wife.

What he had just witnessed felt like open and undeniable betrayal.

There was no reason for this marriage to continue.

Holding that thought steady, Elijah spoke with a voice stripped of warmth. "Sorry, I must have the wrong condo."

With a sharp motion, he forced the jewelry box into the pocket of his coat, then turned away at once and walked off, carrying an unmistakable chill with him.

From the doorway, the man stared after Elijah, his brow tightening in visible confusion.

As the door shut, a young woman's voice drifted from inside. "Who was that?"

Shrugging it off, the man answered casually, "No one I know. He was probably here looking for the landlady."

...

Once Elijah was gone, Ashley completed her packing and made her way to the shop located on No. 1 Northway Street.

Stepping inside, she did not see Elijah anywhere, and only Darin and Luciana were there, throwing darts with several bodyguards.

The moment Ashley showed herself, the mood inside the shop tightened noticeably.

Breaking the uneasy quiet, Darin let his gaze wander over her without restraint and invited, "Dr. Scott, how about joining us for a game?"

Folding her arms, Luciana let out a mocking laugh and said, "Darin, are you putting her on the spot? Dr. Scott only knows how to win over men. Darts are clearly not her strength."

She deliberately stressed the words "win over men," and her contempt was impossible to miss.

That morning, Elijah's obvious favor toward Ashley had lodged itself in Luciana's chest like a sharp thorn.

Faced with their taunts, Ashley walked forward, and a cool smile slowly formed on her lips.

Watching her closely, Darin ran his tongue over his lips and eyed her outfit with open interest. "Here are the rules. Every missed dart means one piece of clothing comes off. From the looks of it, I do not think you have much to spare."

At his remark, loud laughter burst out from the surrounding group.

With a smug tilt of her chin, Luciana added, "If you are afraid, then just walk away. This place is not meant for someone as weak as you."

In their eyes, Ashley looked like an easy target who had stepped into hostile territory, someone they assumed would be overwhelmed at once.

Without much concern, Ashley lifted her shoulders and spoke with casual contempt. "Just make sure you do not regret it when you lose."

Reaching out, Darin placed a dart in her hand. "One round will settle everything."

Tilting her head slightly, Ashley replied, "You go first."

She turned the dart between her fingers and let her gaze drift over the onlookers.

A mocking smile crossed Darin's face as he sized up her outfit, ran a quick mental calculation, and then hurled the dart forward.

The dart struck the bullseye dead center.

Cheers and noise exploded around the room.

"Take something off already. Hurry up!" one man shouted.

Grinning crudely, another added, "I bet she is a C cup."

Leaning into the chaos, someone else said, "Those hips must be soft and full. Bet it feels amazing."

In response, Ashley only parted her red lips slightly and snapped her fingers.

In a sharp motion, her dart cut through the air, struck Darin's dart aside, and landed squarely on the bullseye.

With her eyes narrowing, Ashley let a playful yet dangerous smile show. "That makes me the winner. You are the one who needs to undress."

Shock rippled through the room as everyone froze, their disbelief fixed squarely on Ashley.

Left without a proper comeback, Darin clenched his jaw and responded, "That one does not count. We should start over."

Letting out a short, scornful laugh, Ashley spoke. "I have no patience for someone who cannot accept losing."

Reaching into her sleeve, she revealed several slim blades and sent them forward in a swift motion.

The blades cut through the air and tore cleanly through Darin's clothes while leaving his skin completely unharmed.

Such exact control drew sharp gasps from everyone watching.

Fear flashed across Darin's face as his eyes widened and his breathing stalled.

Reacting at once, Luciana pulled out a gun and aimed it at Ashley. "Are you tired of living, attacking Darin like that?"

Before the final word settled, a blade was already pressed against Luciana's throat, cold and heavy with killing intent. "Then let us find out who dies first," Ashley said.

Silence swallowed the entire space.

No one could have imagined that the doctor who appeared so mild would reveal such brutal resolve.

Out of nowhere, a powerful hand clamped down on Luciana's gun and stopped it cold.

Elijah stood squarely in front of Ashley, his tall frame blocking her from view, and the pressure he brought with him was enough to make the room feel suffocating.

In the middle of that strained silence, a bank card slipped free from Ashley's pocket and dropped cleanly onto the floor at Elijah's feet.

Lowering his eyes, Elijah noticed the familiar black card, and a sharp shock ran through him as his pupils tightened.

It looked exactly like the bank card he had handed to his wife three years earlier, right after they finalized their marriage registration.

For a brief moment, everything around them felt frozen in place.

Raising his gaze slowly, Elijah fixed Ashley with a deep and unreadable stare, and his voice carried a biting chill as he asked, "Where did you get this credit card?"