Alexander Vance's words plunged the private room into dead silence.

Everyone stared at him in shock.

Professor Lowell looked utterly bewildered. "He's here? Where?"

Alexander straightened his posture, only to watch Professor Lowell walk right past him.

The professor scrutinized every man in the room, starting with Anthony Castillo.

He finally turned back, still confused. "Evelyn, who is it?"

Alexander was speechless.

Evelyn Ross suppressed a laugh inside.

This was the first time she had seen such a rich array of expressions on Alexander's face.

She pressed her lips together and remained silent.

Isabella Ashcroft frowned. "Evelyn, did you marry one of our classmates? Who is it? Stop keeping us in suspense!"

Alexander's voice was low and firm. "Her husband is me."

The room fell completely silent.

All eyes instantly focused on the two of them.

Isabella opened her mouth, but after meeting Alexander's icy gaze, she swallowed her words.

Alexander brought their tightly clasped hands out from under the table.

He deliberately glanced at Anthony. "Mr. Castillo, I'm glad my wife could assist you. Next time, you can contact me directly."

Anthony was speechless.

Alexander looked around the room and gave Thomas Watson a meaningful look.

Thomas immediately smiled. "Mr. Vance and Ms. Ross have prepared a珍藏佳酿 for Professor Lowell. It will be served shortly. All expenses today are covered by Mr. Vance."

The classmates raised their glasses in unison. "Thank you, Mr. Vance! Thank you, Dr. Nan!"

The banquet atmosphere reached its peak.

Alexander originally intended to stay for the meal, but his phone suddenly rang.

After answering the call, his expression changed drastically. "I'll be right there."

He looked apologetically at Evelyn. "I have to go."

"Go ahead," Evelyn nodded.

Alexander scanned the room again. "The car is for you. Have the driver take you home."

He adjusted his suit and stood up.

As he passed Anthony, he suddenly spoke. "Mr. Castillo, everyone here is Evelyn's teachers and friends. Your presence might make them feel restrained. Perhaps you should leave with me?"

Anthony's mouth twitched, but he still rose gracefully. "Very well."

Before exiting, he turned back and smiled at Evelyn. "Ms. Ross, I'll be in touch often from now on."

Alexander's face darkened several shades.

After the two men left, the atmosphere in the private room finally relaxed completely.

Everyone slumped into their seats with relief.

"Oh my god, I actually shared a table with two business titans. This is definitely a highlight of my life!"

"I'll have bragging rights forever! The people from the财经新闻 actually drank with me..."

"Alright, alright, we still have Dr. Nan with us!"

Professor Lowell turned to Evelyn with a smile, ready to discuss academic matters.

Isabella suddenly spoke up. "Evelyn Ross, have you no shame?"

Everyone immediately looked at her.

James Klein frowned. "Isabella, you've been stirring up trouble all day. Sophia was just your pawn. What are you trying to do now?"

Isabella bit her lip, deciding to throw caution to the wind. "I just can't stand how far Evelyn is going! She actually convinced Mr. Vance to act out this charade with her!"

Evelyn frowned. "Haven't you caused enough trouble?"

Isabella sneered. "Dare to do it but not own up to it? Everyone in the Vance family knows Mr. Vance got married two years ago! You just graduated and got married. Tell me, how did you manage to get married across a two-year gap?"

Evelyn fell silent.

The complicated reasons behind it were something even she hadn't fully figured out.

She said calmly, "Mr. Vance and I are indeed married. Believe it or not, that's up to you."

"Still being stubborn! Julian, hasn't your uncle's wife been abroad all along?"

Julian Evans had been wanting to speak but didn't dare earlier. He immediately scoffed. "That's right. Evelyn Ross, I pursued you for four years. How come I never knew you were my aunt?"

Isabella sighed. "She's just relying on her looks to trick Mr. Vance into playing along. Evelyn, your mother was a mistress. Now you're married and still having an affair, being someone else's mistress..."

Julian added, "I guess it runs in the family. Can't help but be the other woman?"

The words were vicious!

Even more insulting than Sophia's earlier remarks!

Even Professor Lowell couldn't listen anymore. "Enough! Isabella, Julian, shut your mouths!"

Isabella looked at him. "Professor Lowell, just because she's Dr. Nan, you're taking her side? Is someone with such flawed personal morals fit to be a特聘教授? Aren't you afraid of damaging the school's reputation?"

Professor Lowell was too angry to speak. "You...!"

He looked at Evelyn. "Evelyn, tell me the truth. Is what she said true?"

Evelyn's gaze was steady. "Mr. Vance and I are legally married. If the school is concerned, I can show my marriage certificate."

"Still pretending?" Isabella laughed scornfully. "There's something you probably don't know yet."

Evelyn raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Isabella said triumphantly, "In two days, it's Great-Grandmother's 86th birthday gala. The Vance family is preparing a huge celebration. While my mother-in-law and I were making preparations, we saw the guest list—your aunt will be making her official appearance that day. Evelyn, you didn't know, did you? Your aunt has already returned to the country! I even have her phone number. I can call her right now and see who the real aunt is!"

Isabella took out her phone and found a phone number.

Evelyn glanced at it and couldn't help but laugh.

Wasn't that just her own number?!