Chapter 596 Pestering Relentlessly
"No, thank you," Ethan declined Vivienne's invitation, feeling as if she were a starving wolf ready to devour him whole. He couldn't get away fast enough.
Vivienne turned to Kayla with a crestfallen expression.
Kayla glanced around the hall, noting the growing number of guests. "Your Highness, perhaps you should change into something more appropriate in my nephew's room. The royal nobility will be arriving soon, and it would be unseemly for them to see you in soiled attire."
"Ethan, go change," Doris suggested. "I'll wait for you out here." Her implication was clear – she would stand guard.
Hearing this, Ethan finally relented. "Alright." He trusted neither Kayla nor Vivienne, but he did trust Doris.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness, allow me to show you the way," Vivienne offered.
"Thank you," Doris replied courteously.
The three headed toward the guest quarters.
Meanwhile, Ashley finished giving her statement and left the police station with Isabella.
"Ashley, your ankle looks serious. Should we go to the hospital first?" Isabella asked, concerned.
Ashley's ankle was swollen and throbbing with pain. She nodded in agreement.
Just then, Isabella's phone rang – her father, Callum, was calling.
"Ashley, wait here while I take this call," Isabella said.
"Hello, Dad. What is it?" Isabella answered.
As Callum spoke, Isabella glanced at Ashley and frowned. "But my friend is injured, and I don't have time to change for a gala. I'll have to skip this one."
"Dad!" she protested, clearly frustrated.
Seeing Isabella's distress, Ashley intervened. "Isabella, if you need to go, I can call another friend to take me to the hospital."
"I'm sorry, Ashley. My father insists I attend this important function. Let me wait until your friend arrives before I leave."
Grateful for Isabella's kindness, Ashley agreed and called Yaakov.
Shortly after, Yaakov arrived. "Ashley, what are you doing at a police station?" he asked worriedly, barely noticing Isabella.
Isabella recognized Yaakov as Ashley's rumored boyfriend, though it now seemed they were just friends. Gossip, as usual, couldn't be trusted.
"Don't worry, Yaakov. I'm fine," Ashley reassured him.
"Isabella, my friend's here now. You can go. Let's meet up another day."
"Alright."
Isabella nodded, accidentally catching Yaakov's eye. For a moment, they shared an inexplicable connection.
Isabella's phone rang again – Callum urging her to hurry. "Ashley, I need to go. See you tomorrow."
"Take care, Isabella. See you tomorrow."
They waved goodbye.
Yaakov helped Ashley into his car and asked what happened. After hearing her story, he was furious. "That bastard Ethan! How could he let this happen to you? Thank God someone saved you – I can't imagine what might have happened otherwise!"
"Don't blame Ethan, Yaakov. He couldn't have known. Besides, it's over now. Dexter's been arrested, and I'll be more careful in the future."
"You stubborn woman," Yaakov muttered. "Always defending Ethan."
Ashley smiled.
As evening fell, a cool breeze made Ashley pull Isabella's coat tighter around herself. She felt something bulky in the pocket and pulled out a set of keys.
"These are Isabella's house keys! How will she get home after the gala?" Ashley worried. "Yaakov, can you take me to the hospital and then deliver these keys to Isabella?"
"I don't have her contact information."
"I'll call her."
Ashley tried calling, but Isabella was changing into her gown at a boutique and had left her purse at the counter, missing the call.
After changing, Isabella headed directly to the gala at the address Callum provided. Upon arrival, she spotted Doris pushing Ethan's wheelchair across the hall toward the guest quarters, with Vivienne beside them.
"Isn't that the Queen and Prince Totti? What are they doing here?" Isabella wondered, following them instinctively.
"Your Highness, this is my cousin's room. You can change in here," Vivienne said.
Ethan acknowledged and wheeled himself in. When Vivienne tried to follow, Doris blocked her. "Your Majesty, Prince Totti needs privacy. I should go in to help him change."
"Ms. Mae, as an unmarried woman, that would damage your reputation. Besides, Totti isn't disabled – he can change by himself."
Vivienne had assumed Ethan used a wheelchair due to disability. Learning otherwise made her curious. "Your Majesty, if I may ask, why does Prince Totti use a wheelchair if he isn't disabled?"
Before Doris could answer, her phone rang. "Hello? What? I'll be right there!" Her expression changed dramatically, and she rushed off without explanation.
Vivienne smiled triumphantly and entered the room.
From her hiding place, Isabella witnessed everything.
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