Chapter 417: It’s a Marriage Alliance
Chapter 417: It’s a Marriage Alliance
For the rest of the night, everyone worked tirelessly, chugging cup after cup of coffee.
The investigation never stopped, even after a new shift arrived to relieve those who had been working since the attack.
As for the family of three and Liza, they spent the night at the hospital.
Thanks to Lucian’s connections, the hospital provided them with a private room. They could have checked into a nearby hotel, but none of them wanted to leave Liza, who refused to leave Tommy’s side.
So, despite Liza insisting they should all go home and rest, they stayed with her.
*****
At the same time, on the other side of the world, night had already fallen.
After a long day of volunteer work, Memphis returned home to unwelcome news.
He had barely stepped into the mansion when one of his men hurried over.
"Alive?" Memphis arched a brow. "How is he still alive? Didn’t you make sure they couldn’t get their hands on compatible blood if he needed a transfusion?"
He didn’t need to elaborate.
His men knew Tommy had a rare blood type.
Even if Tommy had brought emergency blood supplies with him, they knew it wouldn’t be enough. Given his age and the severity of his injuries, he would inevitably need more.
That was why Memphis had quietly pulled strings to delay any additional blood supplies from reaching the hospital.
He knew Lucian would do everything possible to secure more.
All Memphis needed to do was delay the process just enough without arousing Lucian’s suspicion.
"It appears the Madam was a perfect match," the man reported grimly. "She bought him enough time until the Black Dragon’s men secured an emergency supply."
In other words, their delay hadn’t mattered.
Ashley had filled the gap.
Memphis slowly exhaled, running his tongue along the inside of his cheek.
He had thought the problem had already been solved.
"Send someone to finish the job," he ordered.
"I’m afraid that’s impossible," the man answered immediately. "The security around the target is airtight. Anyone we send will be stopped long before they can get close."
That wasn’t surprising.
At this point, the only people allowed anywhere near Tommy were his doctor and the handful of nurses approved by Dominion.
A dangerous glint flashed across Memphis’s eyes.
"If we can’t send our own people," he said as he stepped closer, "then find someone who already has access."
"I don’t care how you make them obey. If you have to use their family to force them..." he trailed off. "So be it."
The man lowered his head.
"Yes, sir."
With that, Memphis continued walking, a quiet hiss escaping through his teeth.
His expression darkened, his eyes filled with murderous intent.
Tommy couldn’t be allowed to live.
Avoiding Lucian and Dominion was one thing.
Dealing with Tommy as well... that was an entirely different matter.
In the end, Memphis agreed with one thing Marshal had once said.
The first attempt was always the best chance to eliminate Tommy.
If that opportunity was lost, everything afterward would become exponentially harder.
"On top of that..." Memphis suddenly came to a stop. "...why did she have to be a perfect match?"
His eyes narrowed.
Silence surrounded him as his thoughts wandered between Marshal, Tommy, and the decades-long rivalry between them.
He remembered Marshal’s underhanded nature.
His obsession with getting rid of Tommy.
The lengths he had gone to even ask Memphis just to make it happen.
Then, realization struck him.
"Hah..." His brow rose.
The corners of his mouth slowly curled upward. "No way..."
He let out another laugh as he ran a hand through his hair.
"If what I’m thinking is true... this just became very interesting."
*****
Morning arrived for Liza regardless of the exhausting night.
Despite barely sleeping, she still woke up early.
As she sat up, her gaze drifted toward Primo, who was sleeping peacefully beside her.
The boy had refused to stay in his parents’ room and had insisted on sleeping with her instead.
Her eyes softened.
She gently brushed a hand through his hair.
"What a sweet boy," she whispered with a faint smile. "I can’t keep making everyone worry."
Last night, the fear of losing her husband had consumed her.
That was only natural.
But she couldn’t allow herself to continue burdening everyone around her—not even Primo.
Besides...
Having Lucian, Ashley, Primo, and everyone else by her side reminded her she wasn’t facing this alone.
Ashley, especially.
She could feel just how desperately Ashley wanted Tommy to survive.
That alone gave Liza strength.
With a quiet breath, she carefully climbed out of bed, intending to wash her face and prepare for the day.
As she did, her eyes landed on the phone resting on the bedside table.
Picking it up, she found countless missed calls and unread messages. Shyaan alone had sent message after message, anxiously checking on her.
Several friends who hadn’t attended the party had apparently already heard the news.
"The news spread quickly..." Liza murmured.
She was about to ignore the messages after sending Shyaan a brief reply when her phone suddenly rang.
Her brows slowly knitted together.
The number wasn’t saved, but she recognized it immediately.
It belonged to one of Tommy’s former right-hand men.
Someone who had promised never to contact either Tommy or Liza again.
"So the news reached you too..."
She stared at the screen for several seconds. Then her eyes drifted toward the sleeping Primo.
After pressing her lips together, she made up her mind.
Even with Dominion protecting them, she couldn’t depend on them forever.
Walking quietly to the corner of the room, she answered the call and raised the phone to her ear.
"Julio," she whispered.
Silence lingered on the other end before a familiar voice finally spoke.
"Was it Marshal, Madam?"
Liza frowned. "Julio, don’t jump to conclusions. We don’t know that yet."
"The Boss becomes associated with Marshal again... and now he’s been shot." His voice dropped dangerously low. "Only Marshal would do something like this—with Dominion’s help."
"Julio, no." She shook her head. "Dominion would never do this. They have nothing to do with—"
"Didn’t they tell you the Di Carpios are allied with Dominion?" Julio interrupted. "And not just through business."
He paused. "It’s a marriage alliance. Lucian De Luca married Ashley Di Carpio."
The lines on Liza’s face deepened.
"...Which family did you just say Ashley belongs to?"