Chapter 370 Ethan's Nightmare
Ashley let out a piercing scream, causing Ethan to panic on the video call. "What's wrong? Are you okay?"
With her hand resting gently on her abdomen, Ashley's face lit up with joy. "I think I just felt the babies move!"
"Really?" Ethan's expression mirrored her excitement.
Happiness radiated from Ashley's face as she continued caressing her belly, her gaze softening. "They're over two months along now. I can't believe they're already kicking."
Ethan's expression turned wistful. "I wish I could be there to feel it. What does it feel like? Does it hurt?"
"It's such a strange sensation," Ashley reflected. "Like someone just gave me a tiny punch from the inside."
"These little troublemakers are already giving you a hard time before they're even born," Ethan joked. "Once they're here, I'll have to get even for you."
Ashley stifled a laugh. "Don't be so dramatic. It wasn't strong at all—didn't hurt a bit. I only screamed because it caught me by surprise."
The day's troubles seemed to melt away from Ethan's mind, replaced by the simple joy of connecting with his growing family.
"Lie down and put the phone next to you," he suggested. "I want to tell our children a bedtime story."
Blushing, Ashley complied.
Ethan began narrating in the same measured tone he used during business meetings. Ashley found it amusing at first, but gradually succumbed to drowsiness and drifted off.
After finishing his story, Ethan called out, "Honey, are you listening?"
Met with only the sound of steady breathing, he smiled. "Sweet dreams." Lying in his own bed, imagining her beside him, Ethan too fell asleep with contentment.
In the dead of night, Ethan's dreams grew dark. He was pushing through crowds, desperately searching until he spotted a familiar figure.
"Ashley!" he called out, breaking through the throng of people.
She turned, offering him a gentle smile. Suddenly, someone rushed forward and threw her into the churning sea below.
"Ashley!" Ethan reached for her, but she had already disappeared beneath the waves.
The scene shifted. Ethan stood frozen, staring at a disfigured female corpse.
"Mr. Yates, your wife is gone. I'm sorry for your loss."
Collapsing to his knees, his eyes bloodshot with grief, Ethan shouted, "That's impossible! She can't be dead! Ashley, wake up!"
Ethan jolted awake, drenched in sweat, his heart racing. A flash of lightning illuminated his room as he sat up gasping for air.
"Ashley!" he called instinctively.
Through the phone still connected from their call, he heard her stir briefly before returning to sleep. Relieved by the sound of her breathing, Ethan gradually realized it had just been a nightmare.
Still trembling, the pain and sorrow lingering, he whispered, "Why would I dream something so terrible? There's that old superstition that dreams predict the opposite of what will happen, but I'm suddenly terrified something might happen to you."
Unable to sleep again, he sat listening to her breathing, silently vowing never to let his nightmare become reality.
At the Yates Group headquarters, Ethan's sleepless night showed in the dark circles under his eyes and his tense demeanor. Employees gave him a wide berth as he moved through the office.
A knock sounded at his door.
"Come in," he called.
Diannel entered, noting Ethan's exhaustion as he rubbed his temples. "Mr. Yates, we've begun securing partners for the third round of financing. We've identified four potential investors for your review."
Taking the documents, Ethan asked, "Any movement from Josselin?"
He already possessed evidence of Josselin's criminal activities. If the man attempted to withdraw his investment, Ethan would immediately contact the authorities. For now, he was curious to see how long Josselin would maintain the charade.
"No withdrawal attempts so far," Diannel reported. "We have people monitoring his every move."
"Mr. Yates, I apologize about the Maridia situation. I never expected to be deceived," he added.
"Be more careful next time," Ethan advised. "Have these four companies been thoroughly vetted?"
"All established businesses with decades in the industry. We've completed comprehensive background checks."
"Good. I'll review the materials and get back to you."
Diannel nodded and withdrew.
Meanwhile, Josselin was taking a call in his office, smirking at the surveillance team visible from his window.
"Everything's proceeding according to plan," the voice on the other end informed him. "We've successfully convinced the four established companies to invest using your capital. Once the contracts are signed, our strategy will be complete!"
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