The marriage certificate still bore a shoe print, stained and dirty.

Sophia Ashcroft took out a silk handkerchief and carefully wiped the cover.

Her eyelashes were lowered.

"Isabella can be as willful as she wants, but she shouldn't have damaged Evelyn's marriage certificate."

William Ashcroft snorted coldly.

"That doesn't justify hitting her! That Evelyn, with her rude and wild temper, why do you even bother with her?"

Sophia didn't respond.

After cleaning it, she was about to open it when William snatched the certificate from her hand.

"What's there to see? We've met that husband of hers, haven't we? A construction worker who lets his wife be someone else's mistress. Looking at such a useless man would only dirty your eyes!"

Sophia pressed her lips together tightly.

Finally, she said softly, "Before we leave, remember to return the marriage certificate to Evelyn…"

"…Fine. Sophia, you're just too soft-hearted."

They walked towards the banquet hall as they spoke.

…

Evelyn Ross did not return to the main hall.

She went alone to the back garden.

This winter was exceptionally bitter.

The cold wind cut through her thin evening gown, chilling her to the bone.

But this physical cold was nothing compared the ice in her heart.

She didn't blame Sophia for misunderstanding her.

She had no right to blame her.

Sophia was the only light in her dark childhood.

It was Sophia who taught her self-respect and self-love.

Who taught her she didn't have to live by others' opinions.

It was Sophia who, when Isabella enrolled in school, insisted on handling the procedures for her too, allowing her to receive an education.

Her first doll as a child was a gift from Sophia.

Though Isabella later secretly tore it to pieces.

Her first evening gown was also given by Sophia.

Who told her that beauty was for pleasing oneself.

Though Linda Lowell later forcibly took it off her and gave it to Isabella.

It was Sophia who helped her break free from Linda's control in middle school.

And who provided the identification documents for her college entrance exams, giving her the chance to attend university…

Without Sophia, she might have died in infancy.

Or succumbed to childhood beatings.

Or vanished into some remote mountain village after being trafficked…

Even if she had survived, she would now be just an empty shell.

She always held a deep, inseparable attachment to Sophia.

That's why being driven away moments ago had felt so utterly painful.

She stood quietly by the artificial lake, gazing at the mist-shrouded surface.

The winter fog of San Francisco blurred her vision.

It felt as if her future path was equally shrouded and uncertain.

In this darkest moment, a warm coat was suddenly draped over her shoulders.

Evelyn turned in surprise.