Chapter 542 Ethan Upholds His Integrity
"Ethan, why did you lock the door? Open up!" Ashley's voice called from the hallway, accompanied by knocking.
Ethan's eyes widened in horror. Mary, completely naked and shameless, stood before him. If Ashley saw this, she would definitely misunderstand!
His heart raced. No, he couldn't let that happen!
Mary heard Ashley's voice and smiled seductively. "Your Highness..."
"Shut up!" Ethan growled.
Before she could say another word, Ethan grabbed a pillow and pressed it against her mouth. Mary struggled, but to no avail. In the next moment, he wrapped her tightly in the bedspread.
"Get out!" he hissed, dragging her to the window and shoving her through it before slamming it shut.
It was only the second floor—the fall wouldn't kill her wrapped in the bedding, but it certainly wouldn't be pleasant.
"Ethan? Are you in there?" Ashley called again.
Heart pounding, Ethan quickly straightened the disheveled bed, adjusted his clothes, and finally opened the door.
Ashley had been waiting outside, initially thinking he was asleep. But she'd distinctly heard voices inside. She'd pressed her ear against the door just as Ethan opened it, causing her to tumble forward into his arms.
"Oh!" she exclaimed. "Ethan, why did it take you so long to answer?"
"Pearl, I was in the bathroom... just heard your voice..." Ethan replied, uncharacteristically nervous as he told his first lie to her.
Ashley didn't notice his discomfort as her eyes instinctively scanned the room. Finding no one else there, she relaxed slightly.
"Really? I thought I heard a woman's voice inside."
"Pearl, you're the only woman here. Don't believe me? Look around." He guided her into the master bedroom.
Ashley glanced around, confirming they were alone. Strange—had she been hearing things?
Seeing her lost in thought, Ethan quickly changed the subject despite his guilty conscience. "Pearl, I thought you were spending the night at the hospital with your brother. Didn't expect you back."
"What, am I not allowed to come home? Should I go back to the hospital?"
"Since you're here, let's get some rest. Tomorrow morning I'll take you and the kids to visit your brother."
"Yes, Liam has a private nurse. By the time we get there tomorrow, Landon and Samantha should have arrived."
"I'll get your pajamas, then we can rest after your shower."
"Alright."
As Ethan opened the closet, Ashley noticed how carefully he breathed, almost nervously.
Perhaps from watching too many dramas, she half-expected a woman to tumble out. But the closet contained nothing but clothes. Ashley sighed with relief, chiding herself for being so paranoid.
Suddenly, a piercing scream came from outside.
Ashley, standing by the window, was about to pull back the curtain when Ethan rushed forward and grabbed her wrist.
Ethan smiled casually. "Pearl, what are you doing? Go get ready for bed."
"Ethan, I think I heard someone screaming outside."
"There's nobody out there. We're in a mountain estate—probably just some wildlife. You're hearing things."
"Really?"
She was certain she'd heard a woman's scream.
"You're delaying your shower..." Ethan smiled mischievously, pressing her against the wall. "Could it be you want to shower with me?"
Ashley's face flushed. "Behave yourself! I'm going now."
Ethan stepped aside with a smirk, and Ashley practically fled to the bathroom, shutting the door behind her.
Once alone, Ethan exhaled deeply, clutching his chest as his heart threatened to leap from it.
"Help!" Mary's scream came from outside again.
Ethan sneered and called the estate manager. "There's a woman below the bamboo cottage. Get rid of her. Don't let her near here again without my explicit order."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"And send someone immediately to replace my bed and bedding. Sanitize the entire room."
"Right away."
In the shower, Ashley reflected on what had just happened. She was certain she'd heard a woman's voice, yet found no evidence of anyone.
After a moment's consideration, she let it go. In a marriage, trust was paramount. How could she suspect Ethan of infidelity?
She shook her head, refusing to entertain such thoughts.
Meanwhile, the estate manager and several men searched for Mary near the bamboo cottage.
Though wrapped in bedding when thrown from the window, she had injured her ankle. Standing was excruciating.
"It hurts so much!" she cried. "Your Highness, am I not beautiful enough? Not shapely enough? How could you be so heartless, throwing me from such a height!"
Mary's eyes blazed with manic hatred. "Pearl, if you hadn't suddenly appeared, I would've already been in bed with him! Damn you, I'll kill you for this!"
"There she is! His Highness ordered us to remove her immediately!"
The men surrounded Mary. She tried to escape, but her injured ankle made flight impossible.
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