Chapter 431 Atticus's Illness
Ashley was oblivious to the upheaval happening in the White family. She was still with Atticus, browsing phones at the mobile store.
Meanwhile, Landon sped towards the mall, his car tearing down the road. Landon and Liam sat in tense silence, their hearts pounding with the fear that this might all be too good to be true.
Inside the mall, Atticus pointed to a display. "What do you think of this phone?"
Ashley glanced at the model, then at the price tag—$1,000. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she shook her head. "I don't really like the design."
Her eyes drifted to a $150 phone nearby. "This one would be fine," she suggested.
Noticing the price difference, Atticus teased, "You're quite frugal. Whoever marries you will be a lucky man!"
Ashley lowered her gaze, blushing. In truth, she simply couldn't afford an expensive phone.
After purchasing the phone and setting up a new SIM card, Atticus added his number to her contacts and transferred photos of Ethan and herself to her device. Ashley stared at the images, momentarily lost in thought.
"Time to head to the pier," Atticus announced.
"Okay," she nodded.
They exited through a side entrance just as the White brothers stormed in through the main doors—ships passing in the night.
Landon and Liam searched frantically throughout the mall, eventually making their way to the security office to review surveillance footage. Through the monitors, Landon and Liam clearly saw Ashley's movements from entrance to exit.
Liam jumped up excitedly. "Landon, did you see that? It really is Ashley! I knew she couldn't be dead!"
Landon felt his heart race, but concern quickly set in as he watched the footage. "They left through the side exit—that leads to the pier. Could they be catching a boat?"
"Let's go!" Liam urged.
Landon and Liam rushed to the pier, only to see a boat already pulling away.
Landon cursed under his breath. "Damn it! We missed them again!"
Liam said, "I'll find out where that boat was headed."
After some inquiries, they learned it was a fishing vessel, likely privately owned by local fishermen. They identified several fishing islands to investigate, but just as they prepared to depart, rain began pouring down and all boats were grounded.
Landon pounded his fist against the dock in frustration.
"Don't worry," Liam reassured him. "At least we know she's alive. We'll find her eventually."
Landon nodded. "You're right. Once the rain stops, we'll continue our search."
For the first time in over a month, the White family's grief was replaced by hope. Ashley was alive, and no matter where she was, they would find her.
Shell Island
Atticus and Ashley returned to the island to find the residents gathered in discussion.
"What's all the commotion about, Coco?" Atticus inquired.
"Haven't you heard? Investors plan to transform our island into a water park. They're going to relocate all of us. We're discussing compensation packages," Coco explained.
She then cast a meaningful glance toward Ashley. "Atticus, this girl was unconscious for a month. Now that she's awake, why is she still living with you?"
Ashley shifted uncomfortably.
"She has amnesia. She's staying with me temporarily," Atticus explained.
Coco laughed. "How noble of you, Atticus! You're at the age to settle down, and she seems like a lovely young lady. If you don't mind, miss, you could build a life with Atticus. With the relocation happening soon, if you two got married quickly and had a child listed under Atticus's household, you'd qualify for additional compensation."
The suggestion left both Atticus and Ashley visibly uncomfortable.
"I'm already married," Ashley replied. "Suggesting Atticus become a father to someone else's child would be disrespectful to him."
At her words, a flicker of disappointment crossed Atticus's face.
"I'm just trying to help," Coco persisted. "Besides, with Atticus's condition, who would want to marry him anyway?"
Atticus's face reddened, a mixture of pain and shame visible in his eyes.
Confused, Ashley turned to him. "What condition? Are you ill?"
Her question was met with laughter from the onlookers.
Suppressing his anger, Atticus composed himself. "Let's go."
Ashley followed him, noting his unusually tense silence along the way. She wondered what condition could possibly make others mock him so cruelly.
Later, Atticus received a phone call and stepped outside to take it. When he returned, Ashley was waiting by the doorway.
"That was my family," he explained. "My father is gravely ill. I need to go care for him. You should stay here on Shell Island while I'm abroad."
"Which country are you going to?" she asked.
"Ferndale Gold Valley District," he replied.
"I don't know anyone else here. Could I come with you?" Ashley ventured.
Surprise flashed across his face before he nodded. "Alright then. Pack your things—we leave tonight."
Ashley had nothing to pack beyond the borrowed clothes she wore. As she watched Atticus prepare for the journey, Coco's words echoed in her mind. Considering his selfless care for her, she grew increasingly concerned about his health.
"Atticus," she said, facing him with earnest eyes.
He looked up, puzzled. "Yes?"
"May I ask about your condition? Is it treatable?"
Complex emotions crossed Atticus's handsome face—shame, self-consciousness, anger.
After several minutes of silence, just as Ashley was about to drop the subject, he spoke, "When I was younger, I was walking home from school and saw some thugs harassing a girl. I got into a fight with them and was injured... When I grew up and finally saw a doctor about it, the diagnosis was..."
His face flushed with embarrassment. "I have erectile dysfunction."
This explained why, despite his handsome features and gentle nature, no woman had wanted to be with him.
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