The Billionaire Twins Need A New Mommy!-Chapter 661: Please, Punish Us.

Days later...

The first morning after the collapse of Ravah might have felt like a miracle, but deep in everyone’s hearts, they knew it was only the beginning of something uncertain.

Every mercenary who had sided with the former governance—especially in New Gehran—was captured. Some tried to flee the land, but it was futile. They were eventually seized. Others attempted to resist, only to be subdued just as pitifully.

Those who fought alongside Tomie helped restore order. Some tended to the injured. Others organized proper burials for those who had sacrificed their lives for everyone else.

A war—wanted or not—always left casualties on both sides.

Although Ravah fell overnight, the number of casualties was lower than expected. That fact, however, did little to ease the pain of those burying their loved ones. Their only consolation was knowing those deaths were not in vain.

In Halvik and Ashkar, far less blood was spilled. Halvik quickly pledged loyalty to the Order in exchange for their lives. As for Ashkar, there was no resistance at all because the governor’s seat was already empty.

That made uniting the three regions far easier. Resources from Halvik and Ashkar were redirected to New Gehran to prevent devastation and starvation.

Overall, even the aftermath was handled better than anticipated.

For everyone, things couldn’t have gone any better...

Except for one person.

Lola.

"What did you say?"

She nearly choked on her coffee as she lifted her eyes in disbelief at the people standing in front of the round table where she had been peacefully enjoying her morning.

After the fighting, she had tried helping Atlas handle the aftermath, but her beloved husband had knocked her out so she could rest. Lola slept for an entire day after that, which she was admittedly grateful for.

Days later, she was helping again, though not as much. Atlas had already taken care of most matters while she was unconscious. Now, she was simply enjoying her coffee before heading downtown to check on friends she’d made during the chaos—when these people suddenly appeared.

Her gaze drifted a few steps away from the table.

Standing in a perfect horizontal line were Ransom, Florida, Scarlet, Kean, Tyga, Pika, Izu, Chuck, and Baby.

"We deserve it," Florida said, lowering his head, his voice firm and resolute. "Please, punish us."

Everyone else followed suit and bowed except Scarlet, who crossed her arms.

A second later, Baby’s large hand landed on the back of her head and pushed her down.

"Tsk." Scarlet clicked her tongue and rolled her eyes.

Meanwhile, Chuck—also being forced to bow by Baby—ground his teeth. This hadn’t been his idea, but since everyone else was dead set on it, he had no choice. Worse, Kean, Scarlet, Tyga, and the others wouldn’t stop reminding him how badly he had screwed up.

In short, damage control before Atlas noticed seemed like the better option. At least, that was Chuck’s reasoning.

As for the rest, they simply knew they owed Lola an apology and punishment.

"What in the horror film is this?" Lola leaned back slightly, clutching her chest before staring at Baby in disbelief. "Baby, why are you apologizing again?"

Baby straightened and met her gaze. "It was my idea to let Chuck in. I take responsibility as well."

"And you two?!" Lola snapped, pointing at Izu and Pika. "Izu, what the hell?! Why are we back to punishment-begging again?"

Izu took a deep breath, facing her with grim resolve. "As a member of your team, I shouldn’t have let you go off alone."

"And?" Her face twisted. "I didn’t get hurt."

"Thankfully," Izu replied firmly. "But that was still negligence on my part." He lowered his head. "If the outcome had been different, I would’ve been responsible."

Lola covered her lips and darted her eyes to Pika. "Pika?" she prompted.

"Madam!" Pika huffed, raising his voice as if forcing courage into himself. "My crime is judging you, and failing to trust you! Just like Izu, I didn’t stop you because I was scared!"

"This was a mission, but my cowardice got the better of me!" he shouted. "I want to be braver, and my first step is taking accountability!"

"It’s the same for me," Tyga added.

"I also want to take responsibility for my doubt," Kean echoed.

Ransom and Florida nodded, sharing the same sentiment.

They had judged Lola before truly knowing her. Even when she trusted them completely, they doubted her. And yet, without her, none of this would have succeeded.

They owed her their lives.

If not for Lola, they weren’t even sure they would have completed the mission. They had already prepared themselves for losses. Perhaps even their own deaths.

"You guys..." Lola sighed, tilting her head as she glanced at her now-forgotten cup of coffee.

When she looked back at them, she said quietly, "My goal was simple. While you completed the mission, I wanted to make sure we all made it back to the Order."

"Which is exactly why we should be punished," Tyga muttered. "For our selfishness."

"Are you all masochists?!" Lola burst out, eyes wide. "Why are you this addicted to punishment?!"

"Just do it," Scarlet drawled, rolling her eyes. "Otherwise, we’ll bother the big boss instead."

"My husband is busy," Lola snapped, glaring at Scarlet. For a moment, she’d thought the woman was behaving, but clearly, nothing in this world lasted. "Are you really going to bother him over this?"

"The master would absolutely love to," Baby replied knowingly. Everyone nodded in agreement. "He’s busy, but I’m certain he’s already thought about it."

"Why does this feel like blackmail..." Lola muttered, studying them. Her expression darkened as memories of Atlas’s past punishments resurfaced.

He wouldn’t punish them like that... right? She asked herself and then shook her head. No. He absolutely would.

The mission’s success didn’t mean Atlas wouldn’t scrutinize its execution.

"You really won’t drop this?" she asked with a tired sigh.

They all shook their heads.

She groaned. If she’d known something so dreadful awaited her at the end of the mission, she would’ve played dead until they returned to the Order. But she also knew they wouldn’t leave her alone unless she complied.

"Fine," Lola said. "I’ll punish you. Just let me finish my coffee while I think."

No one responded; all heads remained bowed.

One minute later, Baby lifted his head and froze.

Lola’s chair was now empty.

When his gaze shifted, there she was in the distance, sprinting for her life.

"She..." he blinked, then smiled faintly. "...escaped."

The moment the words left his mouth, everyone snapped their heads up just in time to see Lola’s shadow disappear around the corner of the governor’s residence.

"Madam!" Izu shouted.

Florida took off running immediately. "Oh no—no, no. You’re not getting away from this, madam!"

And just like that, everyone chased after Lola... all so they could be punished.