Chapter 590 Ashley Was Bullied at Work
The Next Day
Ashley had just finished getting ready when the phone rang. It was Ethan.
She answered, "Hello, darling."
"Come down and get me. I'm waiting for you downstairs."
"I'll be right there."
Ashley barely had time to be surprised before she grabbed her keys and hurried downstairs to meet him.
Downstairs, Ethan was waiting in his wheelchair, his back to her.
She happily ran up and hugged him. "Darling, I told you I could take a taxi to work. Why did you come so early to pick me up?"
As soon as she finished speaking, she noticed Ian standing nearby with several suitcases.
"Darling, are you going on a trip? Why so many suitcases?"
Ethan chuckled and gave Ian a knowing look. Ian stepped forward with the luggage. "Ms. White, could you please give me the keys so I can take Prince Totti's luggage upstairs?"
Ashley looked at Ethan in surprise. "Are you moving in with me?"
"Of course," Ethan said with a raised eyebrow. "I can't sleep without you."
Ashley blushed. "But aren't you supposed to stay in the hospital for observation?"
"I spoke with the doctor. As long as I take my medication on time, I'm allowed to recuperate at home."
"Alright then."
Ashley handed the keys to Ian. "Ian, it's apartment 303 on the third floor."
"Got it."
Ian carried the luggage upstairs.
"Darling, let's go have breakfast."
"Sure."
They went to a nearby breakfast café, ordered their food, and chatted happily. Ethan asked, "Darling, how did your medicine-making go last night?"
"I tried twice and failed both times. I ran out of ingredients and need to wait for Yaakov to prepare more."
Ashley's expression turned serious.
Noticing her mood, Ethan comforted her. "Don't worry, take your time. I believe you can do it."
"Let's finish eating and head to the palace."
"Okay."
A short while later, Ashley and Ethan arrived at the Discussion Group office. As soon as Ashley walked in, she felt her colleagues' strange looks but decided to ignore them and focus on her work.
Isabella approached her. "Ashley, rumors about you are everywhere. How can you be so calm?"
"Rumors? What rumors?"
Isabella closed the office door and showed her phone. "Someone took photos of you getting into a luxury car yesterday and spread rumors that you're some old man's mistress. I tried to defend you, but they ganged up on me."
Isabella showed the group chat.
Ashley asked, "Is this a separate group chat?"
"Yes, Ashley. They're slandering your character. Aren't you going to clear things up?"
Ashley smiled nonchalantly. "No need. The people who matter know who I am. Only those who don't know me would say such things."
Despite the hurtful words, Ashley remained unfazed.
"But someone posted a photo of you with a man online last night. Other colleagues saw it and shared screenshots in the group chat, fueling the rumors that you're a promiscuous woman. If you don't explain, the misunderstanding will continue."
"A photo with a man?"
"This one."
Ashley saw the photo of her and Yaakov and felt a surge of anger.
She was more upset about the invasion of privacy than the rumors.
"Ashley, what are you going to do?"
Ashley handed the phone back to Isabella. "Isabella, thanks for the heads-up. The person who took this photo was indeed rude. I'll find them and give them a piece of my mind."
"You're not going to explain to your colleagues?"
"No need. We're here to work. Let's focus on that."
Isabella gave her a puzzled look. "You're really calm. If it were me, I'd be furious. Anyway, I'll get back to work."
"Alright."
After Isabella left, Ashley immersed herself in her work.
She wasn't completely unaffected by the rumors but knew that the people who mattered understood her relationship with Yaakov and wouldn't misunderstand her.
Elsewhere.
Ethan was reviewing documents when a staff member knocked on the door.
"Come in."
The staff member entered. "Your Highness, I have something to report."
"Go ahead."
"Yesterday, the Discussion Group added two new members. One of them, Ms. White, was seen mingling with two men. Her character is questionable. Should we consider replacing her?"
Ashley?
Ethan asked, "She was seen mingling with two men?"
"Yes, Your Highness. Here's the evidence."
The staff member handed over the 'evidence' to Ethan.
Ethan looked at it and laughed in disbelief. "The Discussion Group has so many people, yet they waste time on such baseless gossip instead of doing their jobs?"
"Your Highness, I..."
"Get back to work. If I hear any more of this nonsense, you'll be out before she is."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The staff member left, feeling disgruntled.
Ethan was known for his fairness and strictness. Why was he defending Ashley so vehemently?
Could it be?
The staff member began to suspect that Ashley had a special relationship with Ethan, which only made him dislike her more.
He stormed into Ashley's office without knocking, carrying a stack of documents.
Ashley looked up, displeased. "Can I help you? Why didn't you knock?"
"I'm Jason Bailey, the design supervisor. Here are some documents. Review them by the end of the day and submit a summary by noon tomorrow."
Ashley looked at the massive stack of documents, feeling targeted. "How am I supposed to review all these in one day?"
"You're still on probation. If you can't keep up, you should consider resigning."
Ashley's lips twitched. "Alright, I understand."
Jason smirked. This was a year's worth of documents. She couldn't possibly finish them in one day. Now he had a reason to fire her.
Jason felt a surge of satisfaction at the thought of getting rid of Ashley.
Outside, Vivienne was crying. "I truly love Prince Totti, but he's been bewitched and forgotten our promise. Do you know who's behind it?"
A group of lecherous old men gathered around her. "Who?"
Vivienne pointed at Ashley.
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