My Second Marriage w Chapter 30: Loss and Earn

Chapter 30: Loss and Earn

"What a lovely couple..." Liza placed a few things down in the kitchen, smiling subtly as she thought of Lucian and Ashley.

She chuckled and glanced at Tommy, who was taking off his blazer.

"Ashley’s husband reminds

so much of you, Tom," she humd, walking back to her husband. She wrapped her arms around him from behind, resting her chin on his shoulder, though she could barely reach it.

"You were like that back then, too," she teased. "So imposing and intimidating."

Tommy chuckled as he glanced at her. "If I were intimidating and imposing, then you were truly fearless."

Their love story was not all flowers and butterflies. If anything, it started chaotically as well. Sohow, however, that chaos had turned into sothing they treasured.

Especially for Tommy, who had never imagined that this woman would make him give up the ambitions he once had, choosing instead to run small businesses and live a quiet life.

"Did you help him?" She asked after a brief chuckle, curiosity twinkling in her eyes. "Didn’t you say you didn’t want to do business with him? But after tonight, do you still feel the sa?"

Tommy chuckled at how well his wife knew him. "He rejected my offer of reconciliation."

"Huh?"

"I am just as surprised." Tommy reached for her hand and gently peeled it away so he could face her squarely. "Do you know what that young lad told ?"

He paused, grinning. "That he’d accept this loss... gratefully."

Liza’s brows rose in surprise before the two of them chuckled. It was not a mocking laugh, but one of genuine surprise — sothing that had caught them off guard and earned their approval.

"He’s a scary man indeed," Liza nodded. "Soone who can accept losses... he’s just like you."

She wrapped her arms around his neck, smiling. "And he knows how to respect others. Isn’t that rare in the world he lives in?"

"It’s rarer than the soil they have," Tommy nodded. His smile faded slightly as he looked at his wife.

But before he could say anything, her smile widened, and she spoke first.

"I don’t mind," she said. "My husband can protect ... and I want to keep in touch with Ashley. Although she promised to keep in touch even when she leaves, at this point, it’s not the soil I want to preserve."

She paused softly. "I’m worried about Ashley since... she loves a man connected to such a dangerous world."

Of course, Liza was aware of Tommy’s past and the dealings he would occasionally still get dragged into. Most of the invitations he received now were simply people asking for his support.

However, as much as possible, Tommy avoided having any connection with organizations in the underworld that were still active.

Tommy and Liza’s peace had cost them more than they could ever regain.

But... at this age, perhaps they could still afford a small risk.

"I was just about to tell you," Tommy chuckled, wrapping his arms around her waist, "but it seems you already know."

He smiled slightly. "But if I have my wife’s blessing... then I’ll make the call."

Liza smiled in satisfaction and nodded.

With that, she let him go and returned to fixing a few things in the kitchen while Tommy removed his blazer and sat down on the couch. He held his phone and stared at it for a mont before dialing soone he had long avoided contacting.

The call rang and was answered after just a couple of rings.

"Mr. President," Tommy greeted.

"Oh, Tommy! What a surprise! I didn’t know you’d call

like this! How long has it been?" ca an enthusiastic voice from the other end, clearly showing the familiarity between them.

Tommy smiled upon hearing his old friend’s voice after so many years.

"Well, I’m doing well... thanks to your help."

"Haha! That’s nothing! It’s not even help — haha!" the other man laughed heartily before clearing his throat. "So, Tom, you’re not calling just to check on my well-being, am I correct?"

"Yes," Tommy nodded. "Rember the ti you said you owed

one?"

"Yes!" the man exclaid. "Are you finally allowing

to repay you so I can rest in peace without the burden of this unfulfilled favor you keep refusing?"

Tommy chuckled. "Yes. I need your help."

He paused for a mont, glancing at his wife, who looked back at him with a smile. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly before he explained the favor he needed.

"Huh... interesting," the other man said. "Well, that shouldn’t be a problem. However, Tomas, are you sure about this? Or do you need help? This is Dominion we’re talking about."

"Yes."

"Are you sure?"

Tommy chuckled. "I’m not going to say our code. I’m not under duress."

"He’s just in a hurry to watch his favorite show," Liza chid in from the background, reassuring Tommy’s friend that everything was fine.

"Hahaha! Liz, I missed you! Oh, dear!" the man on the other end laughed. "Fine then. Since I owe you one, this settles it, doesn’t it?"

"Thanks," Tommy smiled, only to raise his brows when his old friend asked,

"But Tom, just out of curiosity... any reason you want to help Dominion? I don’t think they’re the type of people you’d want to help. Those jerks are considered spawns of evil even in the underground."

Tommy chuckled as his gaze drifted to his wife.

"You could say... it’s my way of helping the younger . We didn’t have that during our ti, did we?"

There was a brief silence before the other man burst out laughing. Tommy chuckled as well at his own corny line, though he ant it.

After all, Lucian had earned sothing through his refusal of the deal.

It might have been a loss to others.

But it had earned Tommy’s respect.

And when a veteran respected soone, he valued things far beyond profit.

Right now, Dominion was mourning the loss of the deal.

Little did they know, Lucian’s willingness to lose sothing — simply because he respected soone and refused to exploit his wife’s interests — had earned him sothing far more valuable.

For instance, powerful political backing.

*****

At the sa ti, sowhere else in the city...

Inside one of the private bar lounges, a man pinched the bridge of his nose in distress. The n around him stood quietly with blank expressions.

"Sir, what should we do?" One of them asked with a shaky voice. "Dominion has changed locations, and they ended up choosing that district to stay in. It’s impossible to enter that place—"

BAM!

Before the man could finish his sentence, the door flew open.

Ard n in full tactical gear stord in and seized them all before anyone could react.

The boss, who had been seated, jolted upright in shock. His mind went completely blank when another man entered behind them.

Gustav.

Lucian’s right hand.

The mont Patrick saw him, the color drained from his face.

"Shit..." he hissed through clenched teeth.

Gustav’s eyes darkened.

"Patrick," Gustav called coldly. "The master is inviting you for a talk."

He paused slightly. "Don’t pass up this opportunity... it may be the last ti you get to use that poisonous mouth of yours."

Before Patrick knew it, he and his n were already being dragged out of the bar.