Chapter 539: Be Yourself Or Nah?

Hours earlier...

"Red. Khan."

Ashley’s call made both men raise their heads.

Without asking any questions, they nodded and followed her out of the secret floor.

Rum remained behind, watching Gin and Warriyo lose their minds over Ashley’s computer system. It took him a moment to notice that the others were leaving.

"Wa—wait!" He jumped to his feet and ran after them. "Boss, what about me?"

Ashley merely glanced at him without slowing down.

Rum managed to slip into the elevator before its doors closed.

"You said you had something for me." He slapped a hand against his chest. "What is it? Do you want me to drive a tractor? A submarine? Maybe host a live broadcast while performing some crazy stunt?"

His face brightened at the possibilities. Then he noticed the way Ashley was looking at him.

Rum gasped and covered his mouth. "Decapitation?"

Khan’s brows furrowed. How did his brain process that?

He instinctively glanced at Red, who shrugged as though he bore no responsibility for whatever had gone wrong inside Rum’s head.

"You’re going to move," Ashley said.

Rum pointed at himself, then obediently took one step to the side.

Ashley stared at him.

"Not like that, Rum." She rolled her eyes. "I mean, you’re moving somewhere else."

Red and Khan exchanged puzzled looks. However, neither interrupted. Whatever Ashley had planned, her instructions were clearly meant for Rum.

"You want me to move out of the neighborhood?" Rum asked. "Where am I going?"

The corners of Ashley’s mouth lifted as she faced the closed elevator doors.

"Tinie’s old apartment."

Rum blinked.

So did Khan and Red.

The three men waited for her to elaborate.

"I want you to create a diversion," Ashley continued. "While you’re there, keep a close eye on Nikki."

"Ah," Rum nodded slowly. "Right. She’s suspicious too. She arrived with Tinie."

Before everything had fallen apart, Red, Rum, and the rest of their team had admired Nikki.

She had been the only woman they knew who held a position comparable to Gustav and Lukas. She had been capable, confident, and respected—at least until she was transferred to one of Dominion’s offshore headquarters.

Their admiration had even reached the point where some of them wouldn’t have minded seeing her become Dominion’s madam.

But things had changed.

They already had their Madam now. They had their own faction.

More importantly, their Madam was Ghost.

"I doubt Nikki was involved in Tinie’s plan," Ashley said before silence could settle inside the elevator.

Rum frowned. "Why?"

"Nikki might be questionable, but she isn’t stupid. If she had known what Tinie was planning, she would have chosen a safer path instead of joining him on a suicide mission."

Rum tilted his head. "If you don’t think she was working with Tinie, why do I need to watch her then?"

"Because she’s smart," Red answered.

Khan and Rum turned toward him.

Ashley glanced at her right-hand man, satisfaction flashing in her eyes.

"She might not have known enough to choose a side," Red continued, "but someone like Nikki would’ve noticed that something was wrong."

Khan nodded despite not knowing Nikki as well as the others.

"If she held such a high position in Dominion, she would’ve learned to trust her instincts."

"That’s what I think," Red agreed before looking at Ashley. "I don’t know if that’s what Madam has in mind."

"You’re my right hand, Red." Ashley turned to face them. "You’re allowed to speak for me."

Her attention settled on Rum.

"And he’s right. Nikki isn’t a fool. She already made one mistake when she sided with the High Chamber after believing my husband had fallen."

That decision had revealed something disturbing about Nikki.

Despite her feelings for Lucian, she had still chosen her own survival.

Ashley had once believed Nikki would remain loyal to Lucian even after his death. But this lifetime had unfolded differently from the previous one.

Then again, Nikki hadn’t lived long enough in Ashley’s first life to be placed in the same situation.

Now, the woman had already chosen the wrong side once.

That decision had cost Nikki the trust of everyone who would have remained loyal to Lucian—even beyond death.

If someone approached her again and demanded that she choose a side, Nikki wouldn’t answer as recklessly as before.

"She won’t make another decision without weighing every possible consequence," Ashley continued. "She’s also observant enough to notice things that the rest of us might miss."

Her expression turned thoughtful.

"She spent a long time working closely with members of the High Chamber. Even if they never trusted her completely, she must have picked up something useful."

Rum nodded in understanding. "So, you want me to investigate her?"

"No."

Ashley shook her head. "I want you to pressure her into revealing the cards she’s holding."

Rum rubbed his chin.

"And how am I supposed to do that?" He paused when he noticed Red and Khan staring at him. "What?"

Khan narrowed his eyes and leaned closer to Red. "Is he serious?"

"He’ll figure it out," Red replied, keeping his gaze on Rum. "Somehow."

"I can hear both of you." Rum clicked his tongue before turning back to Ashley. "That’s all you’re giving me?"

"Yes." Ashley nodded without hesitation. "Moving into the apartment beside Nikki’s will already create enough of a disturbance."

Rum blinked at her. He waited for further instructions, but none came.

What came was the elevator chiming, and its doors slid open.

Ashley walked out first.

"Wait—" Rum started after her, but Red stopped him with a firm pat on the back.

"Good luck," Red said, giving him an encouraging look. "Just be yourself."

Then, Red walked out without looking back.

Rum opened his mouth to respond, but Khan stepped forward and patted his back as well.

"Don’t be yourself," Khan corrected. "Follow Madam’s instructions carefully, and under no circumstances should you be yourself."

Rum stared at him.

"Good luck," Khan added solemnly. "Madam’s plan is in your hands."

With that, Khan stepped out of the elevator.

The doors slid shut before Rum could follow them.

He stood alone, his mouth opening and closing like a fish as the elevator began moving again. Then, his expression gradually soured.

"So..." Rum muttered to himself. "Am I supposed to be myself or not?"