Chapter 531 Has She Become an Evil Woman?
Ashley's shriek startled Ethan momentarily, giving her just enough time to lift his wrist away from danger.
"Ethan!" she scolded, both embarrassed and annoyed. "Could you please focus on cutting? You almost sliced your finger!"
Ethan flexed his elegant, well-defined fingers—hands so perfectly formed that a cut would have been like a flaw on a precious gem, marring their aesthetic perfection.
Fortunately, Ashley had intervened in time to prevent any mishap.
"It's nothing," Ethan dismissed casually. "A kitchen knife can't hurt me."
Ashley rolled her eyes. "Don't be ridiculous. Of course it can hurt you! At the rate you're cutting, we'll never have dinner tonight. Here, let me take over—please go and stop distracting me while I cook."
Ashley was genuinely upset. Why was he so careless with himself?
That moment had been terrifying! Cutting vegetables was one thing, but stealing a kiss—romantic as it might be—had nearly caused an accident.
She shuddered at the thought.
Ethan wrapped his arms around her waist, his voice playfully contrite. "Don't be angry. You're just too irresistible—I couldn't help stealing that kiss while we were cooking."
Ashley's heart softened, and she forgave him. "Just promise not to do that again."
"I promise," he said, then promptly kissed her cheek.
Ashley glared at him, though without real anger. "Go away! If I don't finish making dinner soon, the kids will be starving."
"Alright, I'll just watch from here. I won't disturb you again."
"Fine then."
Unable to resist his charm, Ashley began preparing the ingredients.
As the saying went, nothing was more attractive than someone focused on their work.
Watching Ashley concentrate on chopping vegetables, Ethan gradually became mesmerized by her.
The Palace
Mary arrived at Azure Palace only to be turned away at the door. "How dare you refuse me entry!" she fumed. "His Highness himself invited me here. Let me in—I need to see Prince Totti!"
"Ms. Ross," the staff member explained firmly, "Prince Totti has taken Ashley and the children on a holiday. He's not at Azure Palace. If you're reporting for duty, you'll have to wait until His Highness returns."
What?!
The prince had gone on vacation with that woman and those children?
Realizing she wouldn't see Prince Totti for days, Mary grew increasingly agitated. A look of malice flashed in her eyes as she glared at the maid. "You'll regret it! When I become the lady of Azure Palace, my first act will be to have you dismissed!"
The maid stood speechless, completely bewildered by such a statement.
Mary stormed off, but rather than leaving the palace grounds, she went to complain to King Garrett.
"Your Majesty," she lamented, "An evil woman is leading the prince astray! She's making him neglect his duties and encouraging idleness. Isn't she causing him to abandon his responsibilities to the kingdom? Your Majesty, won't you intervene?"
Garrett looked at her quizzically. "An evil woman?"
Could the "evil woman" that Ina had mentioned be the one who resembled Ashley?
"Yes, that evil woman! I hear she goes by Pearl. She's already been married and has two children with someone else. Yet she dares to set her sights on the prince. It's preposterous!"
So it was true!
Hearing Ina's jealousy-laden words displeased Garrett greatly.
"Your Majesty, please help. Banish that woman from the palace! I'm recognized throughout noble society as an accomplished lady. If I were by the prince's side, I could truly help advance his career."
Garrett immediately saw through her scheme. Her tearful appeal pretended concern for the prince's future, but in reality, she was jealous of Pearl's position at Ethan's side and wanted to use his authority to remove her rival.
Then she could have Ethan to herself? How naive!
Seated on his throne, Garrett spent his days immersed in political machinations, but he disliked being manipulated by others.
Then again, he reasoned, the prince's relationship with a previously married woman couldn't last anyway. However, if he intervened directly, it might damage his already strained relationship with his son.
Perhaps... Garrett looked at "Ina," calculation evident in his eyes.
"Ina, I've chosen you as the future princess. You will certainly help Totti advance. He's merely temporarily infatuated."
"Your Majesty, I don't know where the prince has gone. If I could find them, I would convince him to return to his royal duties."
Garrett nodded and made a phone call, "Find Ian immediately. Discover the prince's location and get me that address as soon as possible."
After giving his instructions, Garrett ended the call.
"Ina, I appreciate your dedication. When you reach them, speak with Totti properly. Convince him to return to the palace soon instead of neglecting his responsibilities for pleasure."
"Thank you for your support, Your Majesty."
Moments later, the phone rang. Ian provided Ethan's exact location, which Garrett relayed to Mary.
Mary expressed her gratitude, and Garrett said, "Now that you have the address, you may leave."
Mary curtsied but added, "Forgive my directness, Your Majesty, but what if the prince sends me away?"
"Tell him I need him to return for an urgent discussion."
Without evidence, if things went wrong, he could always shift the blame to 'Ina.'
"I won't disappoint you, Your Majesty."
As Mary departed, Garrett watched her retreating figure with deep contemplation.
This 'Ina' seemed to have changed her personality so quickly—it gave him the unsettling feeling that she wasn't truly Ina at all.
But he dismissed the thought, more concerned about Ethan.
"Ethan," Garrett murmured to himself, "don't blame me, but your position makes a relationship with a previously married woman truly inappropriate."
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