Chapter 552 Finally Rescued Her
"Your Highness, isn't she just... an elderly woman?" the officer asked, confusion evident in his voice.
"No—she's the hostage we're looking for! Go rescue her immediately!"
The transformation was astonishing—white hair, deeply wrinkled skin, and aged features. No one would have suspected this elderly person was actually Ashley. Yet Ethan had recognized her instantly. After all, she was the woman he cherished above all others—he could never mistake her for anyone else.
The team raced back toward Andrei's room, only to find it empty.
"Sir, he's escaped!"
"The area is sealed. He can't get far. Continue the search!" Ethan ordered.
While some officers pursued the suspect, others remained to collect evidence. Ethan surveyed the room, noticing a cloth covering something on the table. He pulled it away.
"Dear God, what is this?" an officer exclaimed, snapping photos of what appeared to be a human face resting on a tray.
Ethan donned gloves and carefully examined the mask, recognizing it as identical to the face Andrei had been wearing.
"Sir, how is this the same as Andrei's face?"
Searching through the drawers and compartments, Ethan discovered numerous lifelike facial prosthetics along with specialized paints and adhesives.
"What are these made of? They look so realistic," an officer commented, visibly unsettled.
Ethan studied the texture of the masks, fighting back nausea. "The craftsmanship is disturbingly lifelike."
Several officers turned away, sickened by the sight.
"Now I understand," Ethan said, his voice hardening with anger. "This explains Ashley's transformation. Andrei placed one of these masks on her. That bastard—I'll cut his hands off for this!"
He turned to his team. "Double our manpower. We must rescue the hostage immediately!"
"Seal every exit in the area. Not even a fly gets out. Understood?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
Ethan knew every second Ashley remained with such a dangerous man increased the peril she faced.
Meanwhile, Andrei pushed a large garbage bin along the street, a surgical mask covering his face. The increased police presence made movement difficult—officers were patrolling everywhere.
While Ethan searched frantically for Ashley, Andrei attempted to change routes, planning to escape via the waterway. Just as he turned a corner, Ethan spotted his familiar silhouette.
"You there! Stop!" Ethan called out.
Andrei kept his head down, deliberately lowering his voice. "Officer... I'm just disposing of trash."
"Then hurry up and get back inside!"
"Yes, sir."
As Andrei began pushing the bin away, Ethan called out again, "Wait—why are you taking the garbage bin with you?"
"It's... it's my personal bin..."
"Nonsense. A bin that size is clearly public property, not personal."
As Ethan challenged him, he sensed something was wrong. Suddenly, it clicked. "Look at me. Raise your head!"
A bead of cold sweat trickled down Andrei's forehead as he refused to comply.
Ethan stepped forward. Andrei stepped back. The tension between them crackled like electricity—one wrong move could ignite violence.
"Don't... don't come any closer. I'm just disposing of trash."
Ethan's royal bearing manifested as an intimidating presence that made Andrei visibly tremble.
With each step Ethan took, the pressure mounted.
Suddenly, Andrei's eyes flashed with murderous intent. He pulled a knife from his sleeve and slashed toward Ethan. "Die!"
"Pathetic," Ethan scoffed, quickly stepping back to avoid the attack. He blocked Andrei's arm and landed a powerful punch to his face.
Andrei grunted, continuing to slash with his blade.
Ethan deflected several more attacks, forcing Andrei to retreat under his counteroffensive. But in a calculated move, Andrei allowed himself to be struck, using the opening to drive his knife directly into Ethan's chest.
Blood immediately spurted from the wound and seeped from Ethan's lips.
"The prince is under attack!"
"Protect His Highness!"
Andrei shoved Ethan aside and fled.
Clutching his chest, Ethan growled, "Catch him! Don't let him escape!"
"Your Highness, we'll apprehend him, but you're bleeding heavily. We need to get you to a hospital immediately!"
"Move!" Ethan pushed the officer aside and staggered toward the garbage bin.
Inside, Ashley had regained consciousness but remained unable to move or speak. She had heard the sounds of fighting and realized Ethan was injured. Tears streamed down her face, her heart aching with concern for him.
Having lost too much blood, Ethan's face had turned deathly pale. Fighting dizziness and the encroaching darkness, he summoned his last reserves of strength to lift the bin's lid.
When he saw Ashley's disguised form, his bloodied lips curved into a bittersweet smile.
"Pearl... I finally found you..."
Ashley gazed back at him, her eyes filled with anguish. She desperately wanted to embrace him but couldn't move.
Their eyes met in a moment of recognition and relief, both glistening with tears.
In the next instant, Ethan collapsed to the ground.
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