Chapter 551 Recognizing Her at a Glance
"Have you found Pearl yet?" Ethan demanded as he approached the officers who had just emerged from the basement apartment.
"No, Your Highness. No sign of her yet."
"Andrei is somewhere in this area. We've sealed off all exits—he can't escape. Keep searching!"
Ashley's hope reignited at the sound of Ethan's voice. She desperately made guttural noises and yanked at her chains, eventually throwing herself off the bed with a loud crash that echoed through the thin walls.
Ethan turned toward the sound. "What was that?"
"Just a deranged old woman, sir," an officer advised. "Best stay away—she might be dangerous."
Something inexplicable drew Ethan forward—almost like a voice whispering in his ear, 'Go in there. The person you seek is inside.'
Inside, Ashley's silent plea was just as urgent, 'Ethan, please come in! No matter how I look, I know you'll recognize me!'
With each step Ethan took toward the room, Ashley's heart pounded harder, while Andrei grew increasingly anxious.
Ethan appeared at the doorway. "What's happening in here?"
Ashley's eyes lit up with excitement at the sight of him.
She tried to call out but her voice barely made a sound. She silently cried, ' Ethan, it's me! I'm right here! Don't leave—please look at me!'
Andrei quickly positioned himself between Ashley and Ethan, blocking her from view. Ethan didn't see Ashley properly, but he noticed something peculiar about the elderly person on the floor—despite the white hair and wizened face, their hands had smooth, youthful skin.
This detail struck Ethan as odd. He stepped closer. "What's going on here?"
Ashley continued struggling on the floor, making harsh sounds and rolling back and forth, desperate to catch Ethan's attention.
"Oh dear, you're having another episode," Andrei said loudly, restraining her while glancing back at Ethan. "Please stay back, everyone! She's violent when she's like this!"
"Your Highness, the woman is having an episode," an officer advised. "You should leave before you get hurt."
Andrei sensed Ethan wasn't leaving—in fact, he was moving closer. A flash of murderous intent crossed Andrei's eyes.
"Your Highness..."
Ethan raised his hand dismissively. "It's fine."
"Do you need assistance?" Ethan asked, studying the scene. Though urgency filled his mission, something about those smooth hands triggered a sense of familiarity.
Instead of retreating, Ethan moved even closer.
"No help needed," Andrei insisted, growing desperate. "I can handle her. Please don't come any closer—she truly is dangerous."
Suddenly, shouting erupted outside. "Hey! Stop running! Grab him! Don't let him escape!"
Ethan was just about to see Ashley's face when the commotion diverted his attention.
"What's happening out there?" he called sharply.
"Could they have found Pearl?" His expression changed instantly. "After him!"
With that, Ethan bolted from the room.
Ashley, who had struggled so hard to reach him, watched tearfully as Ethan's footsteps faded away.
'Ethan, I was right in front of you!' she thought.
Andrei smiled coldly. "No expectations means no disappointment. Watching him walk away from you—feeling disappointed in him yet?"
Ashley glared at him defiantly, her eyes communicating what her voice couldn't, 'No. I trust him. He'll be back.'
Sensing Ethan might return, Andrei knew they couldn't stay.
"We can't remain here. We're leaving."
When Ashley struggled, Andrei pressed a chloroform-soaked cloth against her face until she lost consciousness.
He placed her inside a large garbage bin. As darkness engulfed her, Ashley's semi-conscious mind formed one last prayer: 'Ethan, please turn back. You're my only hope now.'
Outside, the officers had apprehended a man. Ethan confronted him, "Why were you running?"
"I... I... saw all the police and got scared... so I ran..."
Ethan scrutinized his face carefully. "Check if he's wearing a prosthetic."
The officers complied, roughly examining the man's face despite his pained protests. His skin reddened from the treatment.
"Your Highness, there's no prosthetic. This isn't Andrei."
Ethan massaged his temples in frustration. "Take him away."
"Sir, we've searched the entire basement and surrounding area. There's no sign of the hostage. Could Andrei have escaped?"
"Impossible. We're missing something. Continue searching!"
"Yes, sir!"
Ethan checked his watch—five hours had passed since Ashley's abduction. The longer this dragged on, the more he feared for her safety.
"Did you search thoroughly? Every single room?"
"Yes, Your Highness. We've examined each room and collected evidence from all of them. Here are the photos for your review."
Ethan flipped through the photographs, scrutinizing each one. Suddenly, his gaze locked onto an image of a haggard elderly woman.
"Damn it!" he exclaimed. "What has he done to Pearl? Why does she look like this?"
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