The Mafia Lord's Secret Lover-Chapter 401: You Don’t Have to Beg

After a long and emotionally packed conversation with Ethan and Axel, Evelyn finally found herself alone in the farmhouse living room.

Alone. But far from calm.

She sat quietly on the plush sofa, her hands folded on her lap, her gaze unfocused as her thoughts ran wild.

’Wright Group was Axel’s. Not a partner’s. Not an investment. But his—’

The realization hit her again, just as hard as it had minutes earlier.

’Why do you own two multinational companies?’ she asked silently, staring at the fireplace. ’And why on earth haven’t you merged them?’

Her mind instantly filled with questions. Strategic ones. Financial ones. Emotional ones. But she swallowed them all back.

This wasn’t the time.

Axel had already led Ethan away to another room to discuss business, their expressions turning serious the moment they left.

She sighed softly and leaned back.

Business talk. Again.

It had been almost twenty minutes.

"I swear," Evelyn muttered under her breath, "if they talk any longer, I’ll start growing roots here."

Just as boredom began creeping in, light footsteps echoed from the back hallway.

Lisa appeared, holding a tray carefully with both hands.

"Lisa!" Evelyn’s face brightened instantly. "I’m so happy you’re here."

Lisa smiled politely and approached. "Ma’am, I brought this latte for you."

Evelyn’s eyes sparkled at the sight of the coffee, sweets, and neatly sliced fresh fruit arranged on the tray like a small feast. "You’re an angel. Truly. This is what I need now."

She took the cup eagerly and inhaled the familiar aroma before taking a sip. Warmth spread through her chest immediately.

"Oh, this is perfect. I was just about to fall asleep from boredom. Axel and Ethan have been talking business for ages." 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Lisa chuckled softly as she set the tray down. "They tend to forget the world when business is involved."

"Please," Evelyn scoffed lightly. "They forget their wives, too. Ups," she chuckled. "Ethan is still single."

Lisa hid a smile.

"Come, sit with me," Evelyn said, gesturing to the seat across from her. "You’re not allowed to just serve and disappear. No. I need you to chat with me here."

Lisa hesitated briefly before sitting down. Their dynamic had long passed the formal employer-and-guard phase. To Evelyn, Lisa was family.

Evelyn tilted her head, studying her carefully. "So... are you staying here?"

Lisa blinked. "Here?"

"This farmhouse," Evelyn clarified. "I can see you are... very familiar with it, as if you live here."

Instead of answering directly, Lisa raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean, Ma’am? How do you know I live here?"

Evelyn smiled. "So, you do live here?!"

Lisa laughed this time, unable to hide it anymore.

"I was guessing," Evelyn admitted, placing her cup back on the table. "It’s your day off, yet you’re here. And you quickly and smoothly served me my favorite latte and some cakes, like you’ve been spending so much time in this place."

"Madam is very observant," Lisa replied with a faint smile. "Yes. All the guards working under the Master live on this farm."

"All of them?" Evelyn’s eyes widened.

"Yes. There’s a dormitory on the back side of the land."

"Wow..." Evelyn leaned back, genuinely impressed. "So this is like... a secret village?"

Lisa laughed. "Something like that."

"But this place is so far from the Valley and the Apex Tower," Evelyn continued. "Aren’t you exhausted commuting every day?"

"This is only where we stay on our off days. Ryan and I live in the Valley on workdays. The others have apartments closer to the Apex Tower."

"Ohhh." Evelyn nodded slowly. "I always thought you guys just... appeared and disappeared in the Valley like some elite secret society."

Lisa smiled knowingly. "We do try to maintain some mystery."

"Well, mystery aside," Evelyn said, gesturing around, "this place is incredible. I can already imagine how beautiful it must be in summer and fall."

"You are right, Ma’am..." Lisa’s eyes lit up. "The fields turn green, the fruit trees bloom, and the animals roam freely."

Evelyn’s lips curved into a soft smile. "Oliver would love this place."

Lisa nodded eagerly. "Young Master would enjoy it so much. He can feed the animals, pick fruits, and ride the horses."

Evelyn laughed gently.

"Ride horses? He already thinks he’s a cowboy."

Lisa couldn’t help but laugh. "Ryan taught him how to sit properly on a pony last time."

Evelyn leaned back, imagining Oliver running across the snowy fields, laughing as he chased animals twice his size. The image filled her with warmth.

"We’ll definitely come back here," Evelyn said decisively. "As a family."

Lisa nodded. "We’ll be happy to welcome you anytime, Ma’am."

A comfortable silence settled between them, broken only by the faint crackling of the fireplace.

"Lisa," Evelyn spoke again, her tone softer now.

"Yes, ma’am?"

"Thank you," Evelyn said sincerely. "For everything. For being here. For protecting my family. And for being... more than just a guard."

Lisa’s expression softened, emotion flickering briefly in her eyes. "Protecting you and the Young Master isn’t just a job for me. You’re my family too."

A grateful feeling warmed her heart as she said, "Then you’re stuck with us forever."

Lisa laughed quietly. "I wouldn’t have it any other way."

Then,

Distant voices echoed faintly from the hallway, pulling Evelyn’s attention away from her quiet thoughts.

Moments later, Ryan appeared, walking beside another man Evelyn had never seen before. The unfamiliar man gave her a polite nod before turning and leaving without a word.

The moment Ryan was left standing there alone, something sharp twisted in Evelyn’s chest.

This was the first time Evelyn had seen him since the car accident weeks ago—the accident that had left him severely injured while protecting her.

Her fingers tightened unconsciously around the edge of the sofa.

"R-Ryan..." Her voice wavered despite her effort to stay calm. "How is your condition?"

Ryan immediately quickened his steps, stopping just a few paces away from her. He stood straight, his posture firm and disciplined, as if reporting for duty.

"Ma’am," he said solemnly. "I am already in prime condition."

His voice was steady.

"Please allow me to work for you again," he continued, bowing his head slightly. "Please, ma’am."

The sincerity in his tone—and the desperation barely concealed beneath it—caught Evelyn off guard.

"Ryan..." she murmured, rising from her seat. "You don’t have to beg."

But the look in his eyes told her he felt he did.

A sudden, unpleasant thought struck her like lightning.