Chapter 464 Ashley is Dying
Ethan sensed something suspicious about the theft, but his mind was preoccupied with more pressing matters. The thought of how he had forced himself upon Ashley made his head throb with regret.
"Ian," he asked anxiously, "do you think Pearl will ever forgive me?"
Ian hesitated, fumbling for words. "Ms. White was furious when she left. She said not to look for her, or else..."
His voice trailed off ominously.
"Or else what?" Ethan demanded.
Trembling slightly, Ian replied, "Or else... she'll... beat you... every time she sees you."
Ethan massaged his temples, trying to ease his headache. "Prepare all the things women love - shoes, bags, clothes, jewelry - only the finest in the world. I'll apologize to her at dawn."
"Understood, sir."
Standing by his bed later that night, Ethan was lost in troubled thoughts. Outside his window, he observed guards searching the grounds. Something about the scene made his eyelid twitch nervously, filling him with foreboding.
By eight the next morning, after breakfast, Ethan went to the Grayson estate to collect Angela.
Angela, who had spent the night at the Graysons' home sharing a room with Andy and Nate, was in high spirits that morning.
"Angela," Ethan called warmly.
Angela greeted him cheerfully.
Andy and Nate looked up at the sound, instinctively wanting to call him 'Daddy.'
Ethan gently patted their heads. "Good morning, Andy, Nate."
"Good morning, uncle," they replied politely.
Ethan smiled, his gaze drifting unconsciously toward the staircase just as Atticus was descending.
With a shadowed expression, Ethan said, "Mr. Grayson, since I'm taking Angela to kindergarten, I might as well take Andy and Nate too."
"Very well. Andy, Nate, Angela - finish your breakfast first," Atticus replied.
"Okay!" the children chorused.
As Ethan watched the children eat, his attention kept wandering to the upper floor. Why hadn't Ashley appeared?
Atticus noticed his wandering gaze. "Is something wrong?"
Ethan's expression turned slightly awkward. "No, nothing."
After the little ones finished breakfast, Ethan escorted them to his luxury car.
For Andy and Nate, having their father drive them to kindergarten was a novel delight.
In the car, Nate exclaimed excitedly, "Uncle, having you take us to kindergarten feels amazing. If only Mommy were here too..."
Ethan tousled his hair affectionately. "I'll take you whenever I can from now on. Would you like that?"
"That would be wonderful!"
Seeing their joyful, lively expressions, Ethan smiled indulgently.
Thinking of Ashley, he casually asked, "Andy, why didn't your mommy come down for breakfast this morning?"
Andy looked puzzled. "Mommy didn't come home last night at all. It's the first time she's ever stayed out all night."
"What?" Ethan's brow furrowed. "She didn't return even after midnight?"
Andy was adamant. "No, she didn't."
Ethan felt suddenly dizzy with concern. Why hadn't Ashley returned all night? Could she have encountered danger on her way home?
This possibility made his heart race with fear.
As they arrived at the kindergarten entrance, he said nervously, "Off you go, little ones."
"Will you pick us up tonight, uncle?" they asked hopefully.
"Yes, I will."
Watching the children enter the kindergarten, Ethan's expression darkened dramatically. "Quickly, to the police station!" he commanded his driver.
Not knowing Ashley's whereabouts and unable to reach her by phone, Ethan went to report her missing. The police chief received him personally, and Ethan coldly ordered, "You have three minutes to search all of Gold Valley District and find her!"
Three minutes later, the police chief reported nervously, "Your Highness, we've checked all surveillance cameras and searched everywhere without finding the person you're looking for. Logically, if she were anywhere on the streets, we would have located her, unless..."
"Unless what?" Ethan demanded.
"Unless she's left the district entirely. Perhaps she's gone to another area?"
"Impossible!"
Ashley's children were still at the Grayson estate - she would never abandon them.
"Then there's another possibility... foul play..."
Enraged, Ethan shouted, "Impossible! You're all useless! I'll have my own people find her!"
With that, Ethan stormed out, ordering Ian to search for Ashley.
During the agonizing wait, Ethan was tormented by fear that every second of delay increased Ashley's danger.
Ian tried to reassure him, "Your Highness, we've dispatched people to find Ms. White. Please try to remain calm."
"How can I be calm?" Ethan snapped irritably.
"Your Highness, there's a meeting scheduled for 9:30 this morning about selecting partners for the baby formula factory."
"Back to the palace," Ethan decided, then quickly added as he entered the luxury car, "Postpone today's meeting until Pearl is found."
"As you wish," Ian conceded.
Upon returning to the palace, Ethan noticed guards still searching the premises. "Haven't you found the Countess's necklace yet?" he inquired.
"Your Highness, we haven't located it. The thief has hidden the stolen goods somewhere and refuses to reveal the location despite being interrogated all night."
"All night?" Ethan repeated, suddenly apprehensive.
"Yes, Your Highness!"
A terrible realization dawned on Ethan's face. "Oh no," he gasped, breaking into a run. "Quickly, to the dungeon!"
In the dungeon, Ashley had endured hours of torture. She was now battered and severely weakened.
Nearby guards were gossiping callously. "This woman refuses to say anything. Such a beauty, with a figure like that... what a waste to let her die like this."
"Indeed, what if we..."
The guards approached Ashley with lewd smiles. Seeing them advance, Ashley commanded weakly but firmly, "Get away from me!"
Despite her weakened state, her presence remained formidable.
"You bitch, you're going to die anyway. Why not let us have some fun first." they sneered as they lunged toward her.
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