Chapter 472 The Truth Will Be Discovered
The Dungeon
A subordinate reported, "She passed out again? Captain, her breathing is faint—she's fading fast!"
The leader replied, "His Highness Prince Totti was clear: she doesn't die until she's endured one hundred punishments. Revive her!"
"At once."
They forced medicine down Mary's throat. Her weakened pulse gradually steadied as the concoction took effect.
"Wake her!"
A bucket of cold water splashed across Mary's body, shocking her back to consciousness.
Mary's scream echoed through the stone chamber. "Please... I beg you... stop..."
For hours, she'd endured their torture—Ethan's revenge enacted through these men's hands. Each time she approached death's threshold, they would revive her only to resume the flogging.
The guards ignored her pleas, methodically delivering another hundred lashes until she lost consciousness once more.
Even the guards were feeling the strain, their arms aching from the effort.
The leader finally ordered, "Take a break."
The men retreated to the corner of the dungeon to rest while Mary hung limply from the wooden cross, barely clinging to life.
Meanwhile, a guard approached the captain furtively, whispering something in his ear. The leader's expression shifted before nodding in agreement.
He then called to his men, "let's step outside for a smoke. I've got some imported cigarettes you need to try."
One guard hesitated. "I should stay and watch the prisoner."
The leader slung an arm around his shoulders. "What's she going to do, tied up like that? Come on, just for a moment."
With the guards gone, the dungeon fell silent save for Mary's labored breathing.
The moment they disappeared, the informant guard returned with someone—a woman near death. Working quickly, he untied Mary from the cross, exchanged their clothing, and arranged the dying woman's hair to match Mary's disheveled appearance. After securing the substitute to the cross, he hefted Mary onto his shoulder and slipped away.
The entire operation took less than fifteen minutes.
When the guards returned from their smoke break, they glanced at the slumped figure on the cross without suspicion and resumed their card game—completely unaware that Mary had been smuggled out of the palace in a waste container.
Marc waited anxiously on the ship, having already arranged for Mary's mother to be brought aboard. Shortly after the mother's arrival, Mary was delivered to them—filthy and reeking from her means of escape.
"My daughter..." Mary's mother collapsed, sobbing uncontrollably.
Marc's eyes burned with vengeance. "Totti, you'll pay dearly for what you've done to her."
Turning to her contact, she pleaded, "Jacques, find the best physician money can buy, whatever it costs."
Jacques smiled thinly. "Consider it done."
After collecting another substantial payment, Jacques summoned a feared witch doctor to tend to Mary's wounds.
Meanwhile, Ethan and Ashley remained oblivious to Mary's escape.
Ashley was video calling her children.
"Mommy, why are you only showing half your face?" Andy asked perceptively.
His observation warmed Ashley's heart despite everything. "Mommy has a toothache and my face is swollen. I don't want to scare you."
Andy's concern was immediate. "You must brush properly, Mommy. If it hurts too much, please see a dentist."
"I will, sweetheart."
Noticing the time—10 PM—Ashley said, "Time for bed, my loves. We'll talk tomorrow. Sleep well!"
"Goodnight, Mommy!" Andy and Nate chorused before hanging up.
Ashley lingered in the moment before becoming aware of Ethan still sitting at her bedside, showing no intention of leaving.
She glared at him. "Your Highness, the call is over. I need to rest."
Ethan smiled. This woman had commandeered his bed and was now dismissing him from his own chambers.
He thought, 'I need to be more patient. Eventually, she will accept me.'
"I'll be in the adjoining room," he said. "Call if you need anything. Sleep well."
"Goodnight," Ashley replied softly, looking down to hide her conflicted emotions.
Ethan gazed at her longingly before reluctantly departing.
Once alone, Ashley exhaled with relief, cupping her burning cheek until the pain in her fingers forced her to stop.
She settled into bed but found sleep elusive. Only as dawn broke did exhaustion finally claim her.
The following morning, Ethan entered Ashley's room intending to apply medicine to her wounds. Finding her deeply asleep, he withdrew quietly, unwilling to disturb her rest.
After breakfast, Ethan and Angela drove to the Grayson residence where Andy and Nate waited eagerly, backpacks ready.
Upon seeing Ethan emerge from the luxury car, the children ran to him excitedly.
"Uncle Totti! Up!" Nate demanded.
"Good morning, Uncle," Andy greeted politely.
Ethan scooped both children into his arms, planting kisses on their cheeks. "Good morning, little ones."
Atticus approached. "Thank you for doing this."
"It's my pleasure," Ethan replied graciously before turning to the boys. "Have you had breakfast?"
"Yes, Uncle!" they answered.
"Then let's get you to preschool."
As Ethan led the children to his car, Atticus watched them go with mixed feelings—adoration for his children mingled with an inexplicable sense of loss.
Nearby, several middle-aged women passed by, gossiping, "Have you heard? Count Marc has been stripped of her position. Apparently, her daughter tried to drug Prince Totti, hoping to become princess through deceit."
"Serves her right!"
"I heard she failed, but a commoner benefited from it all."
Atticus froze. "Wait—what did you say? This commoner—do you know her name?"
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