Chapter 500 Ashley's Still Alive
The Police Station
Ethan, Liam, Yaakov, and Ian were seated together for questioning. All four men bore injuries on their faces. Ian was carefully dabbing iodine solution on Ethan's wounds, causing him to wince in pain.
"Your Highness, I apologize for my clumsiness. I didn't mean to hurt you," Ian said softly.
Ethan shook his head. "Ian, don't worry about me. Take care of yourself."
From across the table, Liam sneered. "Well, well, Ethan. Looks like you've landed on your feet after getting kicked out of the Yates Group. What happened? Find yourself a rich sugar mommy overseas? And what's with this 'Your Highness' nonsense? Is that some kind of roleplay you two have going on? Let me guess—you're pretending to be a fallen prince?" He burst into laughter.
Ethan shot him a cold glance that could have turned him to ash on the spot.
"Touched a nerve, did I?" Liam taunted.
"A tongue is a precious thing," Ethan replied icily. "If you can't use yours properly, perhaps you should lose it."
"You!" Liam jumped to his feet, ready to throw another punch.
Before he could move further, a portly middle-aged man in police uniform hurried over, bowing repeatedly to Ethan. "Your Highness Prince Totti! I had no idea you would honor us with your presence today. Please forgive my lack of manners. Rest assured, these disrespectful individuals will be properly punished!"
Yaakov and Liam froze in disbelief.
Were they actually addressing Ethan as His Highness Prince Totti?
Even though they weren't particularly familiar with Gold Valley District politics, they had certainly heard of King Garrett and Prince Totti. Could it be...?
Garrett?
Totti!
A sudden realization hit Liam. Doris's husband was also named Garrett.
Could that mean...?
Fear flashed across Liam's face. "What did he just say? Are you really Prince Totti?"
"This can't be happening," Yaakov muttered in shock.
Ethan glanced at them with a cold smile. "Scared now, are we? You weren't so intimidated when you were throwing punches earlier."
Exchanging nervous glances, Liam stammered, "Ethan, your father... it's not... Garrett, is it?"
He recalled his sister mentioning someone named Garrett years ago, but he had never paid much attention, certainly never knowing Garrett's true identity.
"How dare you!" Ian interjected. "You will address His Majesty King Garrett with proper respect! Do you not know how to show deference?"
The color drained from Liam's face.
Holy shit! He'd thought Ethan had just found a sugar mommy, but instead, he'd found his real father—who happened to be a king!
Talk about hitting the jackpot!
This revelation suddenly made Liam realize that Ashley might not be considered "good enough" for someone of Ethan's current status.
"What are you waiting for? Take them to the cells," ordered the police chief.
Two officers stepped forward to escort Yaakov and Liam away.
"That won't be necessary," Ethan interrupted. "I'm willing to let this matter go. Release them."
"As you wish. You two should thank His Highness Prince Totti immediately!" the chief instructed.
Liam and Yaakov remained silent, unable to express gratitude. They realized that given Ethan's position, if he truly wanted retribution, they could be locked away forever.
Ethan spoke again, "I need a private room. I want to speak with them alone."
"Right this way, Your Highness."
Ethan followed the police chief to an office while the stunned Yaakov and Liam were nudged along behind them.
In the Office
Seated with an air of authority, Ethan regarded them coldly. "Why did you attack me?"
Liam remained silent, cursing under his breath, 'Because you're a heartless bastard!'
"Was it because of Ashley?" Ethan asked.
At the mention of her name, Liam laughed bitterly. "How can you say her name so casually? After everything she went through because of you? And now you've married someone else and have children. Based on those kids' ages, your new woman must have been pregnant while Ashley was still alive. You've been hiding quite the double life, Ethan. If you're not a heartless bastard, then what are you?"
Ethan massaged his temples wearily. "Regarding Ashley, I only know what others have told me... because I have no memories of her whatsoever."
"What?!" Yaakov and Liam exchanged incredulous looks.
"And I'm not married," Ethan continued. "Of those three children, one is my little sister, and the other two... belong to someone else. Though I don't remember Ashley, something within me still responds whenever her name is mentioned. So don't paint me as some unforgivable monster."
Liam and Yaakov were stunned into silence yet again.
After a long pause, they collected themselves. Liam forced an awkward laugh. "Well... this is embarrassing. Seems we had it all wrong."
"I told you my sister couldn't have such poor judgment in men," he added with a nervous chuckle.
Liam leaned forward. "So, if you don't remember Ashley, is there anyone special in your life now?"
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Why do you ask?"
"Well, here's the thing... everyone believes Ashley is dead, but only our family knows the truth—she's alive."
The statement hit Ethan like a physical blow. "What did you say?!"
If his wife wasn't dead, that meant he was still married. And if that was the case, his relationship with Pearl would be...
"It's true. She didn't die. When she fell into the ocean, a fisherman rescued her. We checked the security footage and saw him boarding a plane with her. The fisherman's name was..."
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