Chapter 463 Ashley's Punishment
3 AM
Ashley felt like her bones were about to shatter.
Damn this man—had he been celibate for years? Seven rounds of passion, as if he meant to consume her entirely.
The man slept soundly beside her. Looking at his handsome face, Ashley felt her heart skip a beat in momentary confusion. Once her senses returned, she inwardly cursed him.
She had tried to help, and ended up sacrificing herself in the process. Ashley wanted nothing more to do with him—best to treat it like a dog bite and move on.
As she tried to stand, her legs gave way and she collapsed to the floor, fueling her anger further.
Glancing back at the still-sleeping man, she grabbed his clothes and painfully made her way out, supporting herself against the wall.
The hallway remained deserted until Ashley reached the ground floor, where guards surrounded the main entrance. Ian stood at the door, nodding off until he heard movement. "Ms. White, are you alright?"
Ashley shot him an icy glare that could have turned him to dust.
"You've been stationed downstairs all night," she said coldly. "You must have heard my cries for help. Why didn't anyone check upstairs?"
After a moment of silence, Ian replied, "Ms. White, we appreciate your assistance. His Highness will take responsibility when he wakes."
Ashley laughed bitterly. "As if I want his responsibility. Tell him to stay away from me—or I'll strike him every time I see him."
She limped away, leaning heavily against the wall for support. Ian noticed her unsteady gait and the bruises and marks covering her body, imagining the intensity of Ethan's passion, which made him shudder.
"Ms. White, let me arrange transportation for you."
"Get lost!" Ashley pushed him away and walked out.
Ian watched her retreating figure and sighed. Such a stubborn woman. Many girls would do anything to share His Highness's bed, yet here she was, acting aggrieved after what many would consider good fortune.
The palace grounds were vast, especially disorienting at night. Soon Ashley was lost. At a junction, she hesitated which way to go when a group of guards approached, pointing at her. "That's her!"
Ashley froze. "What's this about?"
"She stole the Countess's necklace worth 300 million dollars. Arrest her!"
Bewildered, Ashley had no chance to explain before the guards handcuffed her. "I didn't steal anything!" she protested. "Where's your evidence? Release me immediately!"
"Stop lying!" one guard retorted. "Security cameras caught you taking the Countess's necklace. Take her to the dungeon for interrogation."
Security cameras? Impossible. She'd been with Ethan all night.
"Let me go! I haven't stolen anything!"
Her struggles proved futile as they dragged her to the dungeon.
Meanwhile, Mary handed a stack of cash to the prison warden. "Kill her before dawn," she instructed. "This is your down payment. More will follow."
"Rest assured," he replied. "Every torture in our dungeon is excruciating. She'll experience them all before her end."
A malicious gleam flashed in Mary's eyes.
In the dungeon, dampness permeated the floor while the air reeked of mold and decay. Cockroaches and rats scurried around Ashley. Dim light filtered through a small window in the wall, enhancing the chamber's grim atmosphere.
"Come out for questioning," a voice commanded.
Ashley was taken to a room surrounded by impassive guards and strapped to a cross-like structure, completely at their mercy.
"Ms. White, you stole the Countess's necklace. Where have you hidden it? Hand it over!"
"I stole nothing," Ashley said coldly.
"You'll learn the hard way. Bring the instruments!"
Someone wheeled in devices Ashley recognized from historical films—finger screws that would be tightened with ropes.
Ashley laughed sardonically. "I've done nothing to offend you. Why force a false confession?"
"Begin the torture."
"Release me!"
Ashley struggled against her restraints, causing the chains to rattle, but escape was impossible. Her hands were immobilized, fingers inserted into the device, which was then tightened. Pain immediately shot through her body.Ashley cried out in pain.
"Ready to confess?"
Through eyes clouded with agony, sweat drenching her body, Ashley gasped, "I didn't steal anything! This is a nation of laws—torture is illegal! Let me go!"
"Bring all the instruments. Let her experience each one!"
What followed was inhuman treatment. They pierced her fingers with needles, flogged her until blood flowed, waterboarded her with wet towels, and repeatedly submerged her head underwater. Each time she lost consciousness, they revived her with cold water, subjecting her to tortures that made death seem preferable.
At 5 AM, Ethan awoke to find the woman no longer beside him. After searching unsuccessfully, he called Ian, "Where is she?"
"Your Highness, Ms. White left in the middle of the night. I offered to escort her home, but she refused."
Ethan frowned. "I see. Bring me fresh clothes."
In the bathroom, Ethan showered, water cascading over his face, collarbones, and muscular frame.
Recalling the passionate encounter, Ethan struggled to identify his emotions. He only knew that when drugged, he had avoided Mary but kept Ashley from leaving.
He had resolved to end things cleanly, yet whenever he saw her, his self-control vanished.
After showering, he wrapped a towel around himself as Ian delivered his clothes. Standing by the window, Ethan noticed a commotion outside.
While dressing, he asked, "What's happening out there?"
"Your Highness, apparently the Countess's necklace has been stolen. Everyone's searching for it. They've already captured the thief and thrown them in the dungeon," Ian replied. "Anyone sent to the royal dungeons either emerges as a corpse or permanently maimed!"
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