Divorce?

Mrs. Roland’s sharp eyes were locked on Linda Lowell’s expression.

Linda instantly switched into shrew mode.

“Who do you think you are? How dare you spout nonsense here! Miss Isabella is the legitimate Ashcroft heiress! How could she possibly be my child?!”

Mrs. Roland precisely caught the flash of panic in her eyes.

She took a step closer.

“You defend Isabella at every turn, yet treat Evelyn with nothing but contempt. What mother in the world treats her own flesh and blood like that?”

A vicious glint appeared in Linda’s eyes.

She threw her head back and scoffed.

“Do I need a reason to hate her? I struggled through ten months of pregnancy, only to give birth to a worthless girl! She ruined my chance to secure my position with a son! I didn’t drown her in a river. Raising her was more than she deserved! As for Miss Isabella, William dotes on her like she’s the apple of his eye. If I don’t pamper and flatter her, how can I maintain my standing in the Ashcroft family? You know nothing!”

She perfectly portrayed the face of someone who favored sons over daughters, selfish and mean.

Mrs. Roland narrowed her eyes.

“Is that really the truth?”

“What else?” Linda spat.

“If I could produce a lucky star like Miss Isabella, my ancestors’ graves would be smoking! Why am I wasting my breath on you? Evelyn! You jinx! Get out here! I’m your mother!…”

She turned and continued screaming curses at the main door.

Mrs. Roland looked thoughtful as she and Mr. Roland walked toward the parking lot.

Mr. Roland frowned.

“What she said does make sense.”

“It is logically consistent.”

Mr. Roland sighed.

“Were we overthinking it?”

“On the contrary.” Mrs. Roland’s gaze was sharp.

“She acted too perfectly. But have you ever seen a real shrew curse so coherently? Even patiently explaining the whole story to us? The more a woman desperately explains, the more it shows—”

“Shows what?”

“She has something to hide.”

A slight smile touched Mrs. Roland’s lips.

“I thought you were being fanciful before. Now I think your guess is probably eighty percent true!”

…

Evelyn returned to the banquet hall with Alexander after seeing off the guests.

She immediately sensed the tense atmosphere.

Eleanor Vance and Robert Vance were in a standoff.

The petite old lady had her hands on her hips.

“I don’t care! I only accept this granddaughter-in-law! Only this one!”

Seeing them enter, she immediately complained.

“You brat! Your father is trying to anger me to death!”

Evelyn looked at Alexander.

His brow was furrowed, his cold gaze sweeping over Robert.

Robert glared at Evelyn with disgust.

He issued a stern command.

“Alexander, divorce her immediately!”

Alexander’s voice was icy.

“Reason?”

“Reason?” Robert sneered.

“Do you even know this woman’s background? She’s worse than Isabella! She’s a love child! Someone of that status is fit to be the lady of the Vance family?!”

Richard Evans chimed in.

“Alexander, Father is doing this for your own good. Didn’t you hear all the gossip just now?”

Evelyn lowered her eyes, her jaw tight.

But her hand was firmly held by the man beside her.

Alexander’s voice was low.

“I didn’t hear it.”

“…”

Richard was speechless for a moment, then gestured.

“Julian, tell your uncle what you heard.”

Julian stepped forward.

His eyes were fixed fiercely on Evelyn as he repeated the ugly remarks.

“They said this Ashcroft love child is incredibly cunning. Who knows what method she used to latch onto the Vance family!”

“They also said you’re bewitched, Uncle. Marrying her is worse than marrying a commoner. It’s utterly humiliating!”

“Some even said that with a love child as the lady of the Vance family, who would want to invite the Vances anywhere? Should they let a love child lord it over them?”

“There was even filthier talk I won’t repeat! In short, everyone is laughing at you, Uncle!”

Julian’s gaze was sinister.

When it swept over Evelyn, it held a destructive madness.

He said slowly, “Uncle, Evelyn is somewhat attractive. I pursued her for four years in college, but she always hid her status as a love child! I let go immediately after learning the truth! Families like ours could never marry a love child. It would make us the laughingstock of the city! Just like now, Uncle, you’re being pointed at and mocked…”

Alexander suddenly interrupted.

“What were you doing while they were pointing and mocking?”

Julian was taken aback.

“What?”

Alexander’s eyes were cold.

“The lady of the Vance family was being insulted, and you did nothing? Is this the Vance dignity you uphold?”

Julian’s Adam’s apple bobbed.

Richard hurriedly smoothed things over.

“Alexander, it was Grandma’s birthday gala today. Were we supposed to cause a scene at the party?”

“Is gossiping about the lady of the Vance family in private their idea of manners?”

Alexander stared directly at Julian.

“If you didn’t dare to confront them, give me the list. I’ll go find them myself.”

“…” Julian froze.

How could he hand it over? He’d offend the entire circle of San Francisco’s rich heirs!

Seeing his cowardice, Evelyn shot him a contemptuous glance.

That single glance ignited Julian’s rage.

He blurted out, “Uncle! Is this kind of woman worth it? You probably don’t know this, do you? You’ve been married for two years, but she was stringing me along in college! She almost accepted my confession! This promiscuous woman plays men like toys! If she weren’t so low-class, I would have—”

Thud!

Alexander kicked him flying.

Julian crashed heavily to the floor, curling up in pain.

Richard was furious.

“Alexander! What are you doing?! We can talk this out! How could you resort to violence?!”

“Big Brother, he was disrespectful to his elder. Since you didn’t teach him properly, I’ll do it for you!” Alexander’s expression was terrifying.

“If I hear you disrespect your aunt again, you’ll face family discipline!”

Julian trembled in fear.

Richard’s hand shook with anger.

“Alexander! You’ve gone too far! Dad…”

Smack!

Robert slammed the table.

“Alexander! You only have two choices today! Either divorce this love child! Or resign as CEO of the Vance Group!”

Alexander let out a cold laugh.

The butler cautiously entered.

“Sir, Mr. and Mrs. Roland have returned… They said they need to speak with you and Mrs… Evelyn.”