Chapter 523 Is She the Lover?
Ashley stepped into the changing room, clutching the elegant dress. As she ran her fingers across the fabric, that strange sense of familiarity grew stronger. Suddenly, her phone rang. She answered to hear Ethan's deep, husky voice.
He said, "Pearl, where are you?"
"I'm at the mall, about to try on a dress," she replied.
"Try it on and send me your location. I'll be there right away."
"All right."
The thought of shopping with Ethan later filled her with a warm glow. After hanging up, she slipped into the dress.
Outside, Mary was growing impatient. "What's taking so long?"
"I'm ready," Ashley called back.
When she pulled back the curtain and stepped out, time seemed to freeze. Everyone in the boutique held their breath.
The black dress showcased her figure perfectly—the plunging V-neckline accentuated her elegant collarbone and subtle décolletage. She carried herself with queenly poise, radiating an irresistible magnetism.
"She is gorgeous!"
"Wow, that dress looks like it was made for her!"
"She looks like she stepped out of a fairy tale..."
A crowd had gathered outside store, their admiring comments snapping Mary and the saleswoman back to reality.
Mary's eyes flashed with malice. How dare this commoner think she could pull off haute couture?
"It's getting noisy out there," Mary said sharply. "Close the door."
"Right away, Ms. Ross," the saleswoman hurried to comply.
Once the door was shut, Mary turned to Ashley with a venomous smile. "Ms. White, that dress doesn't suit you at all. It makes your skin look sallow and does nothing for your figure. You should take it off."
Ashley, still admiring herself in the mirror, replied, "Actually, I think it looks quite beautiful on me."
She thought, 'Unlike Ina, who truly doesn't have the figure for it.'
"If I say it doesn't look good, then it doesn't," Mary snapped, her temper flaring. "Stop arguing and take it off before I'm forced to remove it myself!"
Ashley glared at her. "Ms. Ross, for someone supposedly raised in aristocracy, your manners are shockingly crude. Aren't you embarrassed?"
"How dare you!" Mary's face contorted with rage. "You little tramp! I'll teach you some respect!"
She raised her hand to slap Ashley, but before she could strike, someone caught her wrist mid-air. Both women turned in surprise.
"Your Highness!" Mary gasped, her face draining of color.
Ashley's lips curved into a smile. "Ethan, you're here."
Ethan returned her smile tenderly before turning an icy glare on Mary and forcefully pushing her aside.
"Pearl, are you all right?" he asked, moving to Ashley's side.
Just moments ago, he had noticed the crowd outside. Through the glass, he'd seen Ashley in the black dress—a vision so breathtaking it had made his heart race. When he spotted someone about to strike her, he'd rushed in without hesitation.
"I'm fine, Ethan," she assured him.
His eyes roamed over her appreciatively. "That dress looks incredible on you."
"I think so too."
"Wear it today. We'll pick up some other things as well."
"Perfect."
Ethan gestured for someone to process the payment. Watching their intimate exchange, Mary's face twisted with jealousy.
As the saleswoman prepared to ring up the purchase, Mary boldly interjected: "Your Highness, I spotted this dress first. Surely you believe in first come, first served?"
Ethan finally acknowledged her presence, his eyes narrowing. "Ina? What are you doing here?"
It seemed too coincidental that Pearl would run into "Ina" while shopping. Had she been tracking Pearl's movements, intending to harm her? The thought made him instinctively position himself as a shield between Ashley and Mary.
"What's wrong?" Ashley whispered.
"Nothing. You're safe with me," he murmured back.
Mary was seething. "Your Highness, who is this woman? She's trying to steal my dress! Please intervene—make her give it back."
Ashley stared incredulously. "This dress was on display in a public store. Anyone has the right to purchase it. How exactly am I stealing from you?"
"It looks better on me, and I saw it first!" Mary insisted childishly.
"Enough!" Ethan cut her off sharply. "There are dozens of dresses here. Choose something else."
"But Your Highness, I want this one!" Mary pouted, then added with calculated malice, "She must be the woman you've been hiding at Azure Palace, isn't she? You shouldn't show favoritism just because she's your mistress."
Mary's deliberate attempt to demean Ashley prompted whispers among the staff:
"So he's actually Prince Totti!"
"And she must be his lover."
"I thought she was someone special, but she's just his bed warmer. Once he gets bored, she'll be tossed aside like yesterday's news..."
As the derisive comments and judgmental stares surrounded them, Ashley felt the sting to her dignity. She turned a cool gaze on Mary. "You claim this dress looks better on you than on me? Let's put it to a vote, shall we? We'll see who wears it best."
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