Chapter 600 All Have Purposes
Jason looked at the report in his hand, his expression hardening. "Your Highness, I've completed it. I'll bring it to you right away."
"Good," Ethan replied before hanging up.
Jason glanced toward Ashley, muttering under his breath, "Ms. White, blame your status as Prince Totti's woman. No matter what happens, you won't get fired... unlike me."
If he performed even slightly below expectations, Ethan would be merciless with him.
Jason took Ashley's report and walked into Ethan's office to submit it.
After reviewing the report, Ethan looked at Jason with suspicion. "Did you write this report?"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Ethan glared at him angrily. "I'll give you one more chance. Are you certain this is your work?"
This report was one he had watched Ashley write word by word last night while holding her in his arms. He knew its contents intimately.
Jason presenting Ashley's report as his own infuriated Ethan—not just because Ashley's hard work was being stolen, but because his colleague would do something so despicable.
Jason immediately realized he'd been caught. "Your Highness, I was wrong. Please forgive me."
Ethan looked at him with disappointment. "Jason, I never thought you'd be this kind of person. Pack your things and leave."
"Your Highness, please give me another chance," Jason pleaded. "I won't mistreat Ms. White anymore. I've been loyal to you for years, you know that."
"Jason, why have you been giving Ashley such a hard time? What has she done to upset you?"
Jason stammered, "I thought she got the position through improper connections, so I deliberately made things difficult for her."
"Nonsense! She's my wife. She applied for this position without revealing her identity, and her hiring was a decision made by everyone in the Discussion Group, not just me. She earned her place through merit, not through me!"
Jason's eyes widened in shock.
What! If Ashley was Ethan's wife, that made her a princess!
Good God, he'd been tormenting a princess!
Jason's face paled. "Your Highness, I was wrong. I won't dare do it again. Let me make it up to you—please give me another chance."
"How do you propose to make amends?"
"Yesterday when I was leaving work, I saw Dexter following Ms. White, attempting to harass her. Ms. White was rescued by Isabella, but strangely, I noticed Isabella and Dexter exchanging glances. Isabella's appearance was too coincidental. I suspect Isabella has some hidden agenda."
"What did you say?" Ethan stared at him intently. "Dexter nearly assaulted Ashley yesterday?"
"It's absolutely true. I saw the police take him away!"
Ethan's expression changed dramatically.
He had been with Ashley yesterday, yet she hadn't mentioned this incident. Learning about something so serious from someone else left Ethan both worried and upset.
Suppressing his discomfort, he focused on Jason's key point. "Are you saying Isabella deliberately approached Ashley with ulterior motives?"
"That's my suspicion."
"I hope you're not fabricating this just to keep your job. Since you have these suspicions, investigate and uncover the truth yourself. If you're lying, you're still out."
"Thank you, Your Highness, for giving me another chance."
As Jason turned to leave, Ethan called out, "Wait!"
"Yes, Your Highness?"
"Keep the fact that Ashley is my wife confidential for now."
"Of course, Your Highness."
Ethan massaged his temples, growing increasingly upset that Ashley hadn't told him about such a significant incident. His chest tightened as his complexion worsened.
Meanwhile, Ashley remained unaware of these developments as she diligently reviewed documents. Jason approached with a cup of coffee, saying graciously, "Ms. White, you must be tired from reviewing all these materials. I brought you some coffee—drink it while it's hot."
Ashley looked at him quizzically. "Jason, are you feeling alright?"
His attitude had changed so suddenly.
Jason smiled awkwardly. "I misjudged your character before. Today I realized how talented you are, so I wanted to apologize. I hope you won't hold it against me."
He felt foolish for having mistreated Ethan's wife, having previously assumed she was merely Ethan's lover.
Ashley smiled. "Jason, I don't hold grudges. Now that the misunderstanding is cleared up, let's work together productively."
"Good. There's a meeting in half an hour."
"I'll be there."
Jason set down the coffee cup and left.
After finishing her work, Ashley checked the time—it was eleven o'clock. She went to Isabella's office and found her staring blankly at a file. Ashley knocked on the door with amusement.
"Isabella?"
Isabella snapped back to reality and closed the folder. "Ashley, what is it?"
"There's a meeting coming up."
"Right, I know."
"Also..." Ashley glanced around, seeing colleagues busy at work, and moved closer to Isabella, whispering, "I'd like to treat you to lunch. What kind of food do you prefer?"
Isabella smiled faintly. "Anything is fine with me."
"Let's try some Aivalian cuisine then. It'll be a good opportunity to introduce you to it."
"Sounds good."
"I'll get back to work now."
"Okay."
As Ashley left the office, she glanced back at Isabella, feeling that something seemed off about her, but didn't dwell on it.
After Ashley left, Isabella sighed with relief and opened the folder, which contained a photo of Robbie. She stared at it, looking lost.
Suddenly, her phone rang. Checking the caller ID, she quickly looked around cautiously before hanging up.
The phone rang again. She hung up, but it kept ringing repeatedly. Her colleagues began giving her curious looks.
Isabella slipped away to the stairwell to answer. "Why do you keep calling me? Didn't I warn you not to contact me?"
After listening to the caller, Isabella angrily replied, "I don't care if you're out of money. I've paid you what I owed. Stop contacting me!"
She hung up furiously and blocked the number.
When Isabella returned to the office area, she caught sight of Ashley working diligently through the crowd. A flash of regret crossed her eyes, but she quickly composed herself.
She approached Ashley. "Ashley, is there anything I can help you with?"
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