Chapter 495: Where Are Ashley And Lucian?
Marshal sat in his hospital bed, rubbing his hands together as he listened to Scott’s full report.
A few days ago, he could barely hear any of it without feeling as though he might faint. But now, he had no choice but to face the truth.
Five of their main distribution centers had been burned to the ground.
Soon after, two of their primary bases were destroyed overnight. One had been reduced to ashes along with the soldiers stationed there, while the other had been seized by the authorities.
In only a few nights, Marshal’s main source of income had been crippled.
Now, everyone in the underground was celebrating his downfall.
He had already reached out to their allies, but only a few had answered his calls. Some had picked up merely to mock him and say that he would be missed.
Normally, Marshal would have sent someone to deal with every one of them. For now, however, finding the person—or people—targeting him had to remain his priority.
"Scott." His expression darkened as he turned toward him. "Are you certain you have no idea who’s behind this?"
"No," Scott answered almost immediately. "I tried, but I found nothing. I’m still in contact with our man in Interpol, and according to him, their operation was launched after they received a tip."
Marshal hissed through his teeth. "A damn tip."
"Who the hell is behind this?" he muttered, his thoughts tangling together.
In a world built on violence, a man like Marshal had no shortage of enemies. Listing everyone who wanted to harm him—or see him dead—would take at least a day or two.
As Marshal considered his next move, Scott spoke again.
"I also received information about Dominion," he said. "Apparently, they’re dealing with a problem of their own."
"A problem with Dominion?" Marshal frowned.
Lucian hadn’t contacted him, even though Marshal had personally tried to reach out.
"What is it?" he asked before waving his hand dismissively. "Never mind. I don’t care about their problems. I already have enough of my own."
Scott told him anyway.
"Memphis is dead."
"What?!"
"That’s what I heard," Scott continued. "It seems Lucian discovered who was behind the attack on Tomas and dealt with him immediately."
Marshal’s eyes widened. His jaw tightened as his gaze dropped to the floor.
"He’s dead?" he repeated under his breath. "Did you find out whether he talked before they killed him?"
"No, sir." Scott shook his head. "But if Lucian De Luca discovers that we had something to do with the attack, Dominion will become another one of our problems."
"Or Memphis already gave us away," Marshal muttered, his face twisting. "Is he behind these attacks?"
Scott furrowed his brows. "He’s dead, sir."
"Hah!" Marshal glanced at Scott and smirked as though the man had just said something incredibly stupid. "Call Isabella and Carmella. We’re leaving."
Scott remained silent, uncertain what kind of solution Marshal had concocted.
"What are you waiting for?" Marshal grunted as he swung his legs over the side of the bed. "Did you call the men?"
"Yes," Scott nodded. "They’re outside, waiting for orders."
"Tell them we’re leaving the country." Marshal paused and cast Scott a pointed look. "And clear the room for them. I want to hear their plans."
"I’ve already informed them of the plan—"
"Hah!" Marshal laughed mockingly. "You? Scott, you’re probably enjoying watching everything I built fall apart, aren’t you?"
Scott lowered his head. "Of course not."
Marshal’s sharp gaze remained fixed on him. He scoffed and shook his head.
"Of course you are," he sneered. "I bet you’ve been praying for this day to come."
Marshal rose and faced Scott, his expression cold and devoid of emotion.
"But don’t forget this: if I die, they die." He narrowed his eyes. "Do you understand?"
Scott kept his head bowed.
"I’ll speak to the men," he said. "I’ll also make the necessary preparations."
Without lingering, Scott turned and walked away. Marshal watched him leave with a scowl.
"Pathetic," he hissed before smirking. "Does he think he’ll be safe if I fall? Stupid fool."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than the door opened.
Walking into the room were Marshal’s best soldiers—the men he believed would fix this mess for him.
*****
Meanwhile...
After hours of traveling by air and land, Liza finally arrived at the hospital.
As she approached the ward where Tommy was recovering, she noticed doctors and nurses rushing inside.
Her steps slowed, and her brows furrowed.
Julio, who was walking beside her, glanced at her anxiously.
"What’s going on, Liza?"
It was almost ridiculous for him to expect her to know.
Liza had flown away to bury an empty coffin, believing it was necessary to protect her husband. Now, her heart pounded painfully as she watched the medical staff disappear into his room.
"No," she whispered. "Please."
Her mind immediately leaped to the worst possible conclusion.
Had her husband finally succumbed to his injuries?
The mere thought made her entire body tremble. She quickened her pace, but the hallway seemed to stretch endlessly before her, making the distance feel much longer than it truly was.
"Tommy," she whispered as she finally reached the ward. "Tommy!"
She rushed inside, only to find doctors and nurses surrounding his bed.
The blood drained from Liza’s face. Her chest tightened painfully at the sight.
Beside her, Julio’s eyes widened in alarm.
The scene alone suggested that something terrible had happened.
"Madam Liza."
Nolan’s voice suddenly cut through her spiraling thoughts.
Liza turned toward him and saw him standing nearby. Beside him was Primo, who immediately ran toward her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
Primo looked up at her with a wide smile.
"Primo..." she whispered, confused.
At that moment, the people gathered around the bed slowly stepped aside, allowing Liza to see the patient.
For a second, her heart stopped. Then her expression softened, and tears gathered in the corners of her eyes.
"Tom," she breathed before hurrying toward him as Primo released her.
Liza stopped beside the bed, her eyes trembling as she stared at the man looking back at her.
Tommy’s complexion remained pale, but a faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
"Oh, Tommy." She cupped his cheek as tears blurred her vision.
He weakly lifted one hand and wiped them away.
Relief softened Liza’s smile. But then Tommy parted his lips and spoke in a hoarse voice.
"Where are Ashley and Lucian?"
Liza pursed her lips and drew her head back slightly.
She glanced over her shoulder at Julio and caught the frown on his face. When they both turned back toward Tommy, their silence gave him the answer he needed.
"They..." Tommy paused to swallow, his throat dry and raw. Still, he forced the words out. "Did they find out who was behind it?"