Chapter 573 Who is Evil Spirit?
After obtaining the fake marriage certificate, Ashley and Atticus went to visit York at the hospital.
"Mr. York Grayson, it hasn't been that long since we last met. How did you end up like this?" Ashley's heart ached seeing him so frail.
"Pearl... it's been a while... you've grown more beautiful." York tried to sit up, but the excitement triggered a coughing fit. Suddenly, blood spewed from his mouth, staining the white sheets.
"Dad!" Atticus, who had been helping him up, paled at the sight.
Ashley quickly grabbed tissues from the nightstand. Atticus took them with trembling hands and wiped the blood from his father's face.
"I'm sorry, Pearl. I didn't mean to frighten you," York said weakly.
She wasn't frightened—she was heartbroken. The Graysons were like family to her, and seeing York suffer made her feel helpless.
She that if only she had studied medicine, she might have been able to save him from death's clutches.
"Uncle, you didn't frighten me. I'm just worried about you," Ashley said. "Atticus told me you haven't been taking your medication. Your condition is serious—how could you stop?"
"I'm beyond help now. The medicine is useless—just a waste of Atticus's money," York sighed. "If the Evil Spirit were still alive, she might have saved me."
Ashley frowned. "Evil Spirit?"
The name triggered a powerful sense of familiarity, as if she knew this person. The harder she tried to remember, the more her head spun.
"Dad, you're weak. Don't talk so much. Lie down," Atticus urged.
"Atticus, who is this Evil Spirit your father mentioned?" Ashley asked.
"The Evil Spirit was a renowned doctor from Aivalia. She developed over twenty miracle treatments and gave them freely to terminal cancer patients. They all recovered completely. She saved more than twenty families, and people regarded her as almost divine. Unfortunately, heaven envies talent—she died young."
"What!" Ashley's eyes widened in disbelief.
A doctor who could cure cancer? And she was dead?
"What a tragedy," Ashley said solemnly. "If the Evil Spirit were still alive, you might have a chance."
"Let's not dwell on the Evil Spirit," York said, changing the subject. "Pearl, what do you think of Atticus?"
The question created an awkward atmosphere between Ashley and Atticus.
"Dad... don't start..." Atticus protested, his ears turning red.
"My son is honest, hardworking, principled, and handsome despite his dark skin," York said earnestly. "Pearl, if you think Atticus is a good man, perhaps you could consider him."
Ashley smiled awkwardly. "Mr. York Grayson, I understand what you're suggesting. You want Atticus and me to become a couple."
"Yes, what do you think?"
"Atticus, why don't you tell your father about us?"
Atticus snapped back to reality and produced the fake marriage certificate. "Dad, we've already obtained our marriage license. Look, we took these sweet photos together, just as you wished."
Ashley felt guilty about deceiving York, but if they didn't, he would refuse his medication.
"What?!" York's excitement was palpable as his trembling hands took the certificate and photos, his eyes brimming with joy.
"You rascal!" York slapped Atticus across the face.
Rubbing his cheek, Atticus protested, "Dad, I thought you wanted us to get married. Why are you hitting me?"
"That's exactly why I'm hitting you!" York fumed. "Getting married without telling me first! I haven't prepared any gifts for my daughter-in-law. How could you disappoint Pearl like this?"
Ashley was initially shocked when York struck Atticus, but his explanation only deepened her guilt.
York truly considered her his future daughter-in-law. If he discovered this was all a deception...
"Mr. York Grayson, don't blame Atticus. The formalities aren't important."
"Nonsense! I must prepare a generous gift for you. And when are you holding the wedding ceremony? I can't wait to attend!"
Ashley lowered her eyes, conflicted.
"Dad, we've set the date for three months from now," Atticus said. "If you want to attend our wedding, you need to take your medicine regularly. Otherwise, you might not make it."
York's face lit up with joy. "Alright, I'll take my medicine right away."
Ashley prepared his medication and handed him water. "York, drink slowly so you don't choke."
After taking his medicine, York smiled. "Pearl, you should call me Dad now! I'll give you your gift tomorrow. Let me hear you call me Dad."
Ashley was mortified. She couldn't possibly call him Dad. If Ethan found out, he would be furious!
"Ashley, why so quiet? Are you feeling shy?" York beamed while Atticus blushed and Ashley squirmed uncomfortably.
Suddenly, Ashley's phone rang. "Mr. York Grayson, excuse me. I need to take this call."
She practically fled the room, exhaling deeply once outside.
Seeing Ethan's name on the screen, she answered, "Hello, darling."
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