Chapter 455 Jealousy Made Ethan Lose His Composure
The next morning, in the luxurious royal palace.
Ian approached the door cautiously. "Your Highness, Princess Angela is insisting you take her to kindergarten. What should I do?"
On the bed, Ethan hadn't slept all night. He massaged his temples, his voice deep and hoarse. "Just a moment."
Despite the bloodshot eyes, Ethan's face showed no trace of weakness as he maintained his cool demeanor.
A few minutes later, Ethan entered the dining room where Angela was enjoying her breakfast.
"Did you sleep well?" Angela asked cheerfully.
Ethan affectionately ruffled her hair. "Well enough. After breakfast, I'll take you to school."
All night, thoughts of Pearl had kept him awake—not even sleeping pills had helped.
"Thank you!" Angela said between bites. "The palace is holding a cooking competition today to select your new chef. Will you judge it yourself?"
"I'm too busy," Ethan replied. "Someone will bring the food to me."
Angela was about to mention that Pearl would be competing, but Ethan glanced at his watch. "It's getting late. Ready to go?"
Angela quickly finished her milk. "Let's go!"
Ethan took her hand and they got into the limousine.
Meanwhile, Atticus drove Andy and Nate to kindergarten with Ashley sitting in the back seat. The four of them stepped out together.
"Mommy, remember what you promised yesterday—you have to try out for the chef competition," Nate reminded her.
Ashley nodded. "I know. Now hurry along and pay attention in class."
"We will!"
Ashley watched her boys enter the school, her face glowing with maternal affection.
A gentle breeze blew a leaf into Ashley's hair. Atticus noticed and said, "Pearl, hold still."
Ashley looked puzzled.
Atticus leaned closer to her.
Ashley blinked, instinctively stepping backward until she was pressed against the car.
Their proximity was intimate now.
"Atticus, what are you doing?" Ashley asked awkwardly.
He reached out and plucked the leaf from her hair. "Why so nervous? There was just a leaf in your hair."
Ashley felt embarrassed, thinking how onlookers might misinterpret their closeness. Her face flushed red.
Atticus misunderstood her reaction, secretly pleased that his gesture might have stirred something in her.
From a distance, Angela tugged at Ethan's coat and pointed. "Look! It's Andy and Nate's parents. What are they doing?"
From their angle, it appeared as though Atticus was kissing Ashley.
Seeing this, Ethan felt an inexplicable surge of anger. He wanted to tear them apart.
Taking a deep breath to compose himself, Ethan clenched his fists. His voice was tight as he said, "Angela, you shouldn't be watching this."
Kissing in front of a kindergarten—how inappropriate!
Ethan's face remained expressionless, but his eyes betrayed the storm within. "Hurry along to class. I'll pick you up this afternoon."
"Okay."
After Angela walked into the school, Ian asked, "Your Highness, shall we return to the palace?"
Ethan glanced at Atticus and Ashley, their conversation inaudible from this distance but irritating nonetheless.
"I'll drive myself," Ethan said curtly. "Take another car back."
Without waiting for Ian's surprised response, Ethan got into the driver's seat and started the engine.
Meanwhile, Atticus asked Ashley, "Pearl, what was Nate whispering about earlier?"
"The little rascal saw the palace announcement about hiring a chef for Prince Ethan and secretly signed me up for it."
"What time do you need to be there?"
"Ten o'clock."
Atticus checked his watch. "It's 8:30 now. Would you like me to take you?"
After a moment's consideration, Ashley nodded. "Yes, please."
As they moved toward the car and Atticus reached for the door, a luxury vehicle sped past, missing him by a fraction of an inch.
Ashley, quick to react, pulled Atticus toward her. The force of the movement brought them together in what looked like an embrace.
Ashley shot a disapproving glance at the speeding car before turning to Atticus with concern. "Are you alright?"
Atticus shook his head, still shaken. "Thanks to your quick reaction. What was that about? It's like they wanted to run me over."
They could only see the back of the car disappearing, but Ashley mentally noted the license plate number.
"These wealthy people treat others' lives as insignificant," Ashley said angrily. "If I ever catch that driver, I'll give them a piece of my mind. Let's go, Atticus."
Atticus nodded and opened the passenger door. "Pearl, please sit in front."
Ashley paused. "No thanks, I prefer the back seat."
Without waiting for his response, she opened the rear door and got in.
Disappointment flashed across Atticus's face as he moved to the driver's seat.
Meanwhile, Ethan reflected on his reckless behavior, shocked by his own actions.
Seeing Atticus had triggered an irrational anger, making him want to run the man over—which he nearly did.
Thankfully, Ashley had saved Atticus from harm.
But seeing them embrace afterward had filled Ethan with what he failed to recognize as jealousy.
At 9:30, Ashley arrived at the palace. The competition to become Prince Ethan's chef had drawn many applicants.
Having pre-registered, Ashley was escorted to the kitchen at 10 o'clock.
"Ms. White, we have many contestants today," the staff member explained. "You have thirty minutes to prepare your dish. If the prince approves, we'll contact you."
Ashley nodded, put on an apron, and began preparing her ingredients.
Other chefs in the kitchen looked at her dismissively. One sneered, "Lady, everyone here is an experienced professional chef. Don't think your pretty face will get you selected. You're limited to these ingredients only!"
Ashley was confused by the hostility. Looking down, she saw only rice, eggs, and some vegetables.
That was all?
They were clearly trying to make things difficult for her!
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