Chapter 123 Ethan protects Ashley
Ethan headed straight to see Ashley as soon as he got back to the Yates Mansion.
He'd been working all day and was worried about her recovery at home. He didn't realize how much he was thinking about her until he saw her.
"Hey, welcome home," Ashley said, her eyes lighting up.
Ethan walked right over, ignoring the guests, and asked, "How are you doing? Getting enough rest? Adjusting okay?"
Ashley’s earlier frustrations melted away in his presence. "I'm okay, I'll get used to it," she replied.
Ethan hugged her. "Did you miss me?"
She glanced around shyly. "Ethan, we have guests."
Only then did Ethan notice the others. He saw Landon and Liam. They exchanged looks. Landon felt a mix of emotions seeing their affection.
Landon extended his hand. "Hello, Mr. Yates."
Ethan shook it. "Hello."
Liam laughed. "Landon, call him Ethan."
They smiled. Liam said, "No wonder Ashley didn't want to come back to the White family; she has Ethan on her mind."
"Seeing you two so happy makes me feel at ease as her brother."
Ashley blushed at the teasing.
Ivy, fuming inside, managed a smile. "Don't get too excited. The DNA report isn't out yet."
Landon and Liam exchanged puzzled looks. Ashley looked confused.
Ethan's expression turned stern. "Mom, do you doubt my ability to handle such a simple task?"
His cold tone and protective stance made Ivy's face redden with anger.
She laughed awkwardly. "Ethan, everyone knows how capable your people are. I was just joking. Why so serious?"
"You sounded sarcastic, like you were targeting my wife!" Ethan said coldly. "Did you bully her when I was not around?"
He knew his mother well.
Ivy panicked. Ethan looked at Ashley seriously. "Ashley, did she give you a hard time?"
Ivy came over, hugged Ashley's arm, and shook it. "Ethan, what are you talking about? Ashley's my daughter-in-law. Why would I bully her?"
Ethan's eyes narrowed, and he pried Ivy's hand away, being rough with Ivy but gentle with Ashley. This stark contrast made Ivy furious inside.
"Mom, her hand's in a cast. Why are you shaking her arm? Do you want her to get worse?"
"I... I didn't think about that..."
Ethan felt a pang of disappointment. "You're always like this, never considering others' feelings."
When he was a kid, he was craving motherly love. When he finally had dinner with his mom, she ordered shrimp, not knowing he was allergic to seafood.
"I..."
The tension made the atmosphere awkward.
Seeing the silent standoff, Ashley sighed. "Ethan, don't argue with Mom. She didn't bully me."
She whispered, "There are guests. Let's not make a scene."
Samantha, watching wide-eyed, feared Ethan might silence her. Meanwhile, Felicity, lost in her infatuation with Landon, ignored the tension.
"Ethan, you haven't eaten yet, right? Let's have dinner."
"Yes, Ethan, let me introduce you. This is Felicity Zito from the Zito family. Felicity, this is my son, Ethan."
Felicity, sneaking glances at Landon, straightened up and smiled sweetly. "Hello, Mr. Yates. I'm Felicity."
She extended her hand. Ethan glanced at her briefly, then coldly at his mother, knowing Ivy's intentions.
Pushing Ashley's wheelchair, Ethan said, "Sorry for the scene, everyone. Let's sit down and eat."
After Ethan and Ashley sat, Ivy sighed in relief and invited everyone to dinner. During the meal, Ivy gave Felicity a look, and they found an excuse to leave the table one after the other.
"Felicity, how's it going?"
A glint flashed in Felicity's eyes. "Don't worry, Aunt. I'm following the plan, but I used a small amount to avoid detection. No matter what you hear later, don't let anyone into the room."
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