American variety show: Sniper Elite

Chapter 125 Authority
Gianna stretched out her body, floating lazily in the heated bath. The water from the massager rhythmically caressed her skin, creating delicate ripples on the surface.

At the edge of the bathtub, the flame of the scented candle flickered gently, and the milky white smoke rose gracefully, tracing a spiral trajectory in the misty air before finally dissolving into the warm yellow light.

Chopin's Nocturnes flowed through the spacious bathroom, the piano notes intertwining with the sound of water in a duet. Gianna kept her eyes closed until the familiar footsteps approached.

She slowly opened her eyes, and water droplets slid down her eyelashes.

Ashley stood by the bathtub, having changed out of her usual grey uniform with the castle security personnel and into a black casual suit. The loose fit accentuated her slender figure.

“Black suits you very well.” Jaina’s voice echoed softly in the bathroom.

Jaina smiled, glistening water droplets sliding down her raised arm: "Take off your clothes and come in with me, Ashley."

Ashley was clearly stunned: "Me?"

The dappled sunlight reflecting off the water danced on Jaina's face. She simply smiled as she gazed at Ashley, but her eyes held an unyielding gaze. Ashley's ears flushed slightly as she turned and walked toward the teakwood wardrobe.

She stood with her back to the bathtub, deliberately moving very slowly. Through the misty mirror, you could see her tense shoulders and her unconsciously bitten lower lip.

She first bent down and placed the flat shoes side by side in front of the wardrobe, the toes pointing precisely at the door. Next was the black suit jacket, which she carefully folded and laid flat on the wicker chair.

Her fingertips trembled almost imperceptibly as she unbuttoned her shirt.

The silk shirt slid slowly down her shoulders, revealing her taut waist encased in a sports bra. The dim light in the bathroom illuminated her scarred back. The scars, varying in depth, were scattered and intertwined, some already faded white, others still bearing the fresh pink of youth.

At the center of these scars, on the back of the heart, are two intertwined names: "Saron" and "Ashley." The letters, outlined in artistic font, intertwine like vines.

Ashley's young body, like an alluring work of art, appeared and disappeared in the mist.

Her toned abdomen rose and fell gently with her breath, the smooth muscle lines outlining a beautiful curve under the light. Her long legs trembled slightly with tension, and her small toes unconsciously curled up on the non-slip floor tiles.

Jaina's gaze flickered slightly in the misty steam, and she let out a barely audible sigh: "A young body is indeed more alluring than my body, which is marked by the passage of time."

Ashley crossed her arms over her chest, her skin glowing like pearls under the warm yellow light, and she hesitated before turning around.

“I’m a woman too.” Jaina’s laughter trembled slightly. “What are you shy about?”

She patted the marble countertop beside her: "Come on, come soak in the hot spring with this old lady. It's been so long since anyone has shared this time with me."

A misty veil draped between them, and Ashley took a deep breath, tentatively touching the water's surface with her toes before carefully plunging into the warm pool. Rose petals rippled gently with her movements, creating waves between them.

Ashley slowly stepped into the pool, the warm liquid gently washing over her skin. She lay down softly beside Gianna, the water ripples supporting her body.

Jaina closed her eyes again, letting the massager vibrate rhythmically on her shoulders and neck underwater.

“I never imagined it.” Her voice mingled with the gurgling water: “You really will end up with Salong.”

Ashley's fingertips curled slightly beneath the water's surface. Jaina opened her eyes, turning her head to gaze at Ashley. Water droplets clung to her thick eyelashes, softening her gaze: "But I'm so happy, so very happy."

She gently brushed aside the strands of hair floating on the water with her fingers: "Compared to that woman with dark chocolate skin, you, who grew up beside me, are Salong's destined partner."

Jaina's fingers traced shallow ripples on the water's surface: "Do you know the origin of the name Saron?"

Ashley gently shook her head, water droplets from her hair falling into the pool.

“Saron,” Jaina’s eyes gleamed with reminiscence, “is the name of the eternal dragon on the Antonio family crest. When it is slain by a god or hero, its body turns into black mist and returns to the abyss; after nine cycles of reincarnation, the black mist re-condenses into a dragon egg, hatching and being reborn.”

Jaina's gentle smile was reflected on the water: "This is my wish for that child, that he may be immortal like Sauron, and forever be able to rise from the ashes in the face of adversity."

Jaina asked Ashley, "Tell me, are your feelings for Sauron real?"

Ripples gently spread between the two.

Ashley looked directly into Jaina's eyes and said firmly, "Yes."

"Then, let's stop worrying about whether your meeting was a coincidence or my arrangement." Her tone softened: "Even if the beginning is a script, as long as the feelings are real, a happy ending can still be written."

Ashley's pupils dilated slightly, and water droplets clung to her trembling eyelashes.

Jaina gave her a final, meaningful look, took a deep breath, and slowly sank into the water. Her golden hair spread out on the surface, creating a dazzling halo, before everything returned to calm, leaving only a few strings of bubbles floating on the surface.

Ashley stood frozen in place until Jaina burst out of the water.

Water droplets rolled down Jaina's face. She casually wiped the water off her face and looked coldly at Ashley.

“When I handed over the reins of the Antonio family to Salon,” Gianna’s voice was deep and authoritative, “he became the undisputed king of the Italian underworld.”

She slowly approached Ashley, the water rippling between them: "And his consort will surely be crowned queen of this dark kingdom."

Ashley's breathing faltered slightly, and moisture condensed into tiny droplets on her lips.

“I must be responsible for the continuation of the Antonio family.” Jaina’s fingertips forcefully lifted Ashley’s smooth chin. “So I must make sure that the woman standing beside my son is someone worthy of entrusting the entire kingdom to.”

Jaina's fingers gripped Ashley's chin tightly, forcing her to look directly into her icy blue eyes: "So, my dear, stop worrying about those trivial details. Starting tomorrow, I will personally teach you how to become the Queen of this underground kingdom. You will assist Saron and ensure that the power of the Antonio family continues to be passed down."

Ashley's pupils trembled slightly, and water droplets rolled down her wet eyelashes.

Jaina's fingertips left a warm trail of water on her chin, the warmth of which burned deep into her heart.

(End of this chapter)