Sophia Ashcroft froze, her gaze fixed on Evelyn's face.

A bitter smile touched her lips. "I understand. You've never acknowledged him as your father since childhood. But this matter has nothing to do with you. Please go home first."

Evelyn's jaw tightened. She remained silent.

This wasn't the time for explanations.

She spoke softly. "Madam, my situation can wait. Please return to the car and rest."

Margaret Evans was currently furious.

Isabella had utterly humiliated the main family branch today. Her scheme against Eleanor Vance backfired, resulting in lost shares. Margaret would not let this slide easily.

Evelyn's own position was awkward. She couldn't approach Eleanor Vance to plead for leniency.

As she pondered, footsteps echoed from the Vance mansion's entrance.

Fiona Vance emerged with a warm smile. "Mrs. Ashcroft? Guests shouldn't wait outside. Please, come in."

Sophia hesitated. "And you are?"

Fiona smiled. "I am the Vance family housekeeper."

Sophia looked toward Evelyn.

Evelyn pressed her lips together, hesitating for a moment before finally nodding. "Madam, let's go inside first."

She knew Eleanor Vance had sent Fiona.

She understood she shouldn't exploit the elder lady's fondness to plead for Isabella.

Yet she couldn't stand by and watch Sophia be mistreated.

Unaware of the circumstances, Sophia nodded faintly, suppressing a cough as she followed inside.

Eleanor Vance herself had sent someone to receive them. However unwilling, Margaret had to acknowledge this gesture of respect.

The group entered the main residence's living room.

Margaret sat arrogantly on the sofa. "What is the meaning of this, Mrs. Ashcroft? You just wait indefinitely because I refused to see you? Have you no shame?"

She didn't even offer them a seat.

Evelyn started to speak, but Isabella grabbed her arm. "Keep quiet! Don't anger my future mother-in-law and ruin my engagement!"

Evelyn shot her a cold glare.

For the sake of a marriage, she would let Sophia humble herself like this?

Sophia didn't notice their exchange. She suppressed another cough and simply sat down.

Margaret sneered. "Such fine upbringing, Mrs. Ashcroft. I hear Evelyn Ross is the love child you raised? No wonder she lacks any manners!"

Sophia looked up with a gentle smile. "Evelyn was indeed raised by me. Thank you for the compliment, Mrs. Vance."

Margaret was left speechless. "You...!"

Sophia interrupted her. "Mrs. Vance, I came to discuss matters concerning our children... cough... Could we speak privately?"

Margaret initially meant to refuse, but recalled Julian mentioning Sophia's influential background from New York.

She sneered. "Fine. Let's see what you have to say."

She instructed the servants. "Everyone, leave us."

Sophia turned to Evelyn and Isabella. "You two, go take a walk outside."

Evelyn glanced at her with concern, but ultimately rose and left.

Isabella followed, her face beaming with joy.

They stood on the empty grounds outside the living room.

Evelyn kept looking back toward the house.

Isabella was happily texting Julian.

Evelyn couldn't hold back. "Madam is in there fighting for you. Who knows what conditions she must agree to? Aren't you worried at all? Do you just take it for granted?"

Isabella shot her a look. "She's my mother. Fighting for her daughter is what she's supposed to do."

Her expression suddenly turned cold. "Oh, I forgot. Your own mother wasn't good to you. So you never experienced that kind of maternal love, right?"

Evelyn clenched her fists. "You...!"

Isabella said triumphantly, "Then let me tell you what a real mother feels for her daughter. I went home crying today. My mother's heart ached for me. She insisted on coming here to plead for me."

Evelyn retorted angrily, "The Vance family is the wealthiest in San Francisco! What could Madam possibly offer to plead with?!"

Isabella's eyes turned dark and vicious. "If she has nothing to offer, then she can kneel and kowtow! She'll kneel until Mrs. Vance agrees!"

"You...!"

"Evelyn Ross, let me say it again. She is my mother! Everything she does for me is her duty! You said you don't owe me? Then let me make you face reality!"

Isabella stepped closer, sneering. "You owe my mother! I am her daughter, so you inherently owe me! If I suffer, my mother suffers too... If you truly want things to go smoothly for her, then go talk to Eleanor Vance on my behalf! Otherwise, even if Mrs. Vance agrees, the old lady will make sure she endures humiliation..."

Evelyn listened, her fists clenched so tight she longed to tear the woman before her apart.

The woman she regarded as a mother, Isabella treated with such disregard...

But Sophia was Isabella's birth mother.

A mother sacrificing for her daughter seemed a natural order.

Evelyn had no right to interfere.

A profound sense of helplessness washed over her.

She had considered all the ways Isabella might salvage her engagement, but never imagined she would drag her frail, ill mother into this.

Evelyn took a step back, her worried gaze returning to the living room.

Half an hour later, Sophia emerged.

Evelyn hurried forward to support her.

Isabella pushed past her and took Sophia's arm. "Mom? How did it go? Did Mrs. Vance agree?"

Sophia smiled wearily. "Yes. She agreed."

"Mom, I knew you could do it! I love you!"

Isabella cooed affectionately.

But Sophia gently pushed her away and looked at Evelyn. "Evelyn, please see me out."

Evelyn immediately moved to support her. "Madam, please walk slowly."

Sophia patted her hand. "Don't say again that William isn't your father..."

She had seen the paternity test for the child in Linda Lowell's womb herself. There was no mistake.

Evelyn was momentarily stunned. "I truly am not..."