Chapter 536 Standing By Your Side
"Ms. Ross, why are you staring at me like that?" Ashley stepped back cautiously, alarmed by Mary's murderous glare.
"Pearl, you're nothing but a common nobody," Mary spat. "What right do you have to stand beside the Prince? I'm the one who should be at His Highness's side!"
"You?" Ashley let out a contemptuous laugh. "Your noble birth means nothing when Ethan wouldn't spare you a second glance. I may be ordinary, but I'm the one he loves. You're just a jealous, scheming woman driven mad with envy!"
Mary's face flushed crimson with rage at Ashley's tirade. "Pearl, how dare you insult me!"
"What will you do about it? Didn't you learn your lesson last time? Would you like another slap across that smug face of yours?" Ashley stepped forward menacingly, raising her hand.
Mary flinched back, covering her face. Suddenly, her expression changed as she spotted someone approaching. She dropped dramatically to her knees.
"Ms. White, please don't hit me," she pleaded tearfully. "His Highness is so extraordinary, I simply couldn't control my feelings for him. I never meant to come between you—I only hoped to... join both of you."
Ashley stared at her in disbelief. This woman had transformed from threatening to begging in seconds. Once Mary's words registered, Ashley laughed incredulously. "Join us? Have you lost your mind?"
"Ms. White, as the Prince's companion, how can you speak so crudely?"
"I speak however I want around you. What right do you have to question me? Ethan and I are family. And what exactly did you hope to become? His mistress?"
"Even in modern times, don't all powerful men have mistresses? I simply admire the Prince and wish to be near him. Why are you so cruel about it? Does His Highness know how vicious you can be?"
"How shameless," Ashley scoffed. "Being a homewrecker is disgraceful, yet you speak of it as if it's honorable! Let me make myself clear: Ethan is my love, and mine alone. I'll never share him. Stay away from him, or else..."
Ashley's eyes narrowed dangerously as she cracked her knuckles and advanced toward Mary with her hand raised.
Mary's face contorted with panic. She suddenly darted past Ashley, crying out, "Your Highness, save me! She's trying to kill me!" She rushed toward Ethan, arms outstretched.
Ethan smoothly sidestepped her attempted embrace without so much as a glance in her direction. Instead, he walked straight to Ashley, his gaze intense and a slight smile playing on his lips.
Ashley's heart skipped a beat. Now she understood Mary's sudden change in behavior—she'd spotted Ethan behind them and put on an act.
'What a transparent ploy,' she thought.
Mary, having missed her target, struggled to contain her fury. "Your Highness, please help me. Ms. White has been bullying me."
Ethan reached Ashley's side and gave Mary a cold look. "Why are you here? Who informed you of my whereabouts?"
"Y-Your Highness," Mary stammered under Ethan's intimidating presence. "It was His Majesty. The King sent me to summon you back to the palace."
Ethan shot her a skeptical glance. He didn't believe her for a second. If his father needed him, he would have called directly. She must have discovered his location and followed him here.
"I see," Ethan said icily. "You may leave now."
Mary's jaw dropped, unable to believe the Prince's cold dismissal.
Ethan gently draped a jacket over Ashley's shoulders. "Pearl, are you cold?" he asked tenderly.
Ashley smiled warmly. "Thank you. I'm fine now." She wrapped her arms around his neck and planted an affectionate kiss on his cheek, marking her territory.
She turned toward Mary, catching the venomous jealousy in the woman's eyes. With a mischievous eyebrow raised, Ashley deliberately nestled into Ethan's embrace. "Ethan, I hope I didn't frighten you earlier. Would you have been upset if I'd slapped Ms. Ross?"
Ethan had witnessed the entire scene. He was amazed by his girlfriend's fierce spirit—he found it utterly captivating.
Love, in its grandeur and selfishness, revealed its true nature: only in the depths of genuine affection would one feel the desire to keep their beloved entirely to themselves, refusing to share them with anyone else. The fact that she wouldn't share him meant she must love him! Realizing this filled him with joy—how could he possibly be upset with her?
He took her hand tenderly. "I'm your man, Pearl. Defending our love is our shared responsibility. In the future, if another woman tries to come between us, you have my full support—whether that means slapping her or worse. I'd simply stand by your side."
Mary's face burned with humiliation at his words.
Ashley leaned contentedly against Ethan's chest. "You're wonderful, Ethan."
She shot a triumphant look at Mary, who stood with a twisted expression of rage, silently vowing, 'Enjoy your victory for now, Pearl. One day I'll destroy you.'
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