Chapter 539 Appraisal Report
Neither had anticipated asking questions simultaneously. When they did, both laughed together before their emotions swung between tears and laughter.
After composing herself, Ashley said, "You go first."
"Well, Atticus mentioned you'd lost your memory, and that Ethan brought you back to the palace. How did you two end up together after that?"
"It's quite a story," Ashley began, then recounted her chance meeting with Ethan in Gold Valley District.
When she finished, Liam sighed. "The way you describe it, you and Ethan truly seem destined for each other."
Ashley smiled shyly. "I feel that way too." Indeed, what else but fate could bring them together again after years apart?
"What was your question?"
Ashley looked embarrassed. "Am I really Ashley? Truly?"
"What a silly question. If you're not Ashley, who is?"
"But Doris mentioned Ashley has a red birthmark behind her ear, and I don't have one. Sometimes I wonder if I just look like Ashley. Otherwise, why wouldn't I have that birthmark?"
"Birthmark?" Liam, who had been too emotional earlier, now thought back carefully. "That's right. There was quite a commotion about identifying my sister back then. She had a red birthmark behind her ear and a mole on her collarbone."
He studied her face cautiously. "Ashley, you don't have these?"
Ashley lowered her eyes, hiding her anxiety. "No."
"How is that possible? Your face, figure, voice—they're identical."
"May I take a look?" he asked hesitantly.
"Of course."
Ashley turned, allowing Liam to examine behind her ear. There was indeed no birthmark, and the skin was smooth with no sign of surgical alteration.
Liam frowned. "That's strange. There should definitely be a birthmark there!"
"I don't have the mole on my collarbone either," Ashley added, her expression falling. A voice in her head whispered, 'You're not Ashley. You're just an impostor! You're just infatuated with Ethan and pretending to be Ashley to get close to him!'
Liam tried to comfort her. "Don't worry. I can't explain what's happened with the birthmark and mole, but DNA testing would be more conclusive than birthmarks anyway."
Ashley's face brightened. "Of course! Why didn't I think of DNA testing?"
"Since we're at the hospital, let's get tested now."
"Wait here while I get you a wheelchair."
"Thank you."
Neither noticed the shadow that quickly disappeared from the doorway.
Mary hid around the corner, having overheard crucial information as Ashley walked past.
Moments later, Ashley returned with a wheelchair and helped Liam into it before heading toward the lab.
Mary followed quietly behind them.
After a few steps, Ashley sensed something odd and glanced back. Mary quickly ducked out of sight.
"What is it?" Liam asked.
"I feel like someone's following us."
"It's a busy hospital—you're probably imagining things. Let's continue to the lab."
"You're right."
At the lab, they waited their turn. When Ashley saw someone else getting blood drawn, she instinctively covered her eyes, visibly frightened.
"If you're afraid, we could skip this," Liam suggested. "Your appearance and voice alone convince me you're definitely my long-lost sister. I don't need DNA results to be certain."
Ashley, her forehead beaded with sweat, kept her face covered. "Thank you for trusting me, but I really need to know the truth."
Without her memories, Ashley couldn't share Liam's absolute certainty. Only DNA testing would confirm her identity.
"Alright then. Just keep your eyes covered during the blood draw, and it won't seem so scary."
Ashley froze. The words triggered something familiar.
A hazy memory surfaced—a man gently covering her eyes, saying, "Darling, don't be afraid of the needle. If you don't see it, you won't feel faint."
That voice sounded exactly like Ethan's!
She struggled to recall more, but intense pain shot through her head as cold sweat broke out across her body. Just as she was about to glimpse the man's face, a nurse called out, "Liam, Ashley? We're ready for you now."
"Coming. Let's go."
With her eyes still covered, hiding her pale face, Ashley followed. "Okay."
Liam guided her by the hand while operating his wheelchair to the blood collection station.
As Ashley prepared for her blood draw, two doctors conversed near the door.
"This expedited paternity test is ready, but no one's been notified to collect it."
"Let me check the names—paternity test for Totti, Andy, and Nate. I'll contact them immediately!"
Just then, the nurse began drawing Ashley's blood.
Ashley screamed in terror, caught a glimpse of the bright red blood, and promptly fainted.
Whatever the doctors had been discussing was lost to her as consciousness slipped away.
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