American variety show: Sniper Elite

Chapter 160 When you are powerful enough, all rules are bullshit.
Beta opened her eyes in the morning light, and memories of last night flooded back.

Standing beneath the crystal chandelier, before the entire European underworld, Gianna announced that "Saron Wick" would become the heir to the Antonio family. She deliberately retained the surname "Wick," a final act of tenderness towards John Wick and a testament to her love for the family.

Ashley's legs were straddling Beta's abdomen, making her look like a koala clinging to his side. Beta looked down slightly and could see the delicate tattoo on her smooth back—the "Ash" and "Salon" intertwined into a vine pattern, shimmering with a faint purple hue in the morning light.

Looking further down, the gruesome scar on Ashley's right scapula came into view.

Years ago, the two young people were stranded in the wilderness at minus forty degrees Celsius. Ashley's shoulder and Beta's three toes were forever marked with frostbite. Beta's fingertips gently traced the scars, the rough texture reminding him of the howling wind on the icy plains and the warmth of their breaths huddled together in their cramped sleeping bags.

Ashley murmured in her sleep and hugged him tighter.

Beta looked out the window; the castle's spires shimmered golden in the morning sun, while further away, the Tiber River flowed quietly. The baby who was almost thrown into this river 29 years ago was now the master of a riverside castle.

Fate can be so ironic sometimes.

Beta tried to lift Ashley's arm, which was wrapped around his arm, but found her as sticky as a melted toffee. He sighed helplessly and gently covered Ashley's mouth and nose with his hand.

"Ugh!" Ashley's eyes widened, and she slapped Beta's hand away with a crisp "smack".

But before Beta could explain, Ashley clung to her like an octopus.

She buried her face deeply in the crook of Beta's neck, the faint scent of roses lingering between them. Beta could feel her warm breath on his collarbone, with a hint of petulance in her voice.

"Sleep for five more minutes," Ashley's voice muffled against his chest, but her fingers slid restlessly under the hem of his pajamas, the cold fingertips making Beta shudder.

She smiled triumphantly and snuggled closer to him, like a ferret that had found a warm nest.

After dawdling for about fifteen minutes, Ashley reluctantly crawled out of Beta's arms. As she pressed the silver bell by the bedside, a group of servants filed in.

The head servant pushed the breakfast cart to the French windows, and the silver lid was lifted, filling the room with the sweet aroma of muffins and the rich bitterness of coffee. Two maids carefully hung freshly ironed clothes on walnut hangers.

One person deftly tore off the bed sheet stained with ambiguous marks, while another immediately laid out brand-new Egyptian cotton bedding. Finally, the last person sprayed a silver fragrance spray into the air twice.

The entire process took no more than three minutes, and no unnecessary noise was made during it.

As the last servant backed away to close the door, the makeup artist, hairstylist, and jewelry consultant were already lined up in the hallway, waiting for them.

Through the slightly ajar door, one could see their lowered eyelashes and their motionless stance.

Ashley, barefoot on the Persian carpet, her toes sinking into the soft down, gazed at the steaming muffins on the food cart, then turned to Beta and winked: "Do you think they all have a good idea how crazy we were last night?"

Beta smiled and said, "I don't know."

Ashley picked up a muffin and took a bite, honey smearing onto her lips. She offered the remaining half to Beta's mouth, but deliberately wiggled it as Beta opened his mouth.

Beta suddenly took her finger into her mouth, her canine teeth grinding lightly against the fingertip.

Ashley jerked her hand back, disgustedly smearing saliva on Beta's robe: "Disgusting!" But the upturned corners of her mouth betrayed her true feelings.
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Beta pushed open the door to Gianna's office, and Ashley took his arm as they stepped inside.

Sunlight streamed through the stained glass, casting dappled patterns of light on the carpet, where Catalia leaned against the window.

Sensing the movement, Katalia paused slightly, but stubbornly turned her face away, much like a sulking cat. Beta smiled.

Ashley's elegance and vivacity, and Katalia's wild and untamed nature, are like a white rose and a red rose; the former makes him feel at ease, while the latter makes his heart race.

Beta looked away, but couldn't help glancing at the window again. Kataria was mouthing something to him, and judging from the lip movements, it was clearly a swear word.

Beta chuckled; he really needed to be taught a lesson.

Jaina emerged from behind the screen, followed by John Wick; the two appeared to have been discussing something in the back.

Beta was stunned. He hadn't expected that these two people, his mother and his father, could be so harmonious.

Beta walked to the sofa and sat down next to John. Gianna sat gracefully on the other side.

"I didn't see you last night," Beta said.

John took an object from his suit's inner pocket—the familiar circular blood pact. When he opened the lid, two dark red fingerprints were clearly visible: one was John's own, and the identity of the other was self-evident.

Beta exclaimed in surprise, "Santino agrees to dissolve the blood pact?"

Jaina chuckled softly: "The dead have no choice."

"He's dead? Just yesterday?" Beta asked incredulously.

John nodded briefly: “Yeah.”

Jaina rose and walked to the French windows, the sunlight gilding her silhouette: "I told you long ago, Saron. When we are strong enough, everyone will be eager to see Santino dead, so they can pledge their allegiance to us."

"The fact is, your father shot Santino in the head yesterday at the Continental Hotel in New York. And that ironclad rule of 'no fighting in hotels' is as if it never existed for us."

"Because no one dares to offend a living emperor for the sake of a dead man."

Jaina turned to Beta: "When we are powerful enough, our word is the rule."

Jaina's voice echoed in the empty hall: "This afternoon, you will be accompanying me to meet some important people."

Her gaze swept across the room: "Ashley and Katalia."

Upon hearing their names called, both women simultaneously rose from the sofa. Ashley straightened her back, while Katalia flicked her hair.

“Ashley, from today onwards, you will receive full etiquette training.” Her gaze swept over her daughter-in-law’s posture: “The future queen cannot always act as casually as an ordinary woman.”

Turning to Katalia, Jaina's tone softened slightly: "And you, you will learn how to mediate gang conflicts."

She glanced at Beta: "Since Salong chose you, and you chose him, you should take responsibility like a true member of the Antonio family."

Jaina stood up, the pearls adorning her skirt shimmering with her movements: "Remember, in the underworld, love is a luxury, ability is the key to survival."

(End of this chapter)