The night was deep.

Moonlight hung low, casting a silvery glow.

Evelyn Ross stepped out of the Vance mansion.

A cool breeze brushed her face, yet the knot in her chest had already loosened.

She spotted Mr. and Mrs. Roland standing not far away.

She quickened her pace toward them. "What happened to Chloe?"

"It's not about Chloe," Mrs. Roland said gently. "We were about to leave when we saw Linda Lowell making a scene at the Vance gate."

"We thought we should warn you."

Evelyn was slightly taken aback. "Thank you, Mrs. Roland."

She had thought they returned for something urgent.

It was just this.

Mrs. Roland spoke again. "We just called Ryan."

"We urged him to bring the restored photo as soon as possible."

"Are you free tomorrow night? We'd like to invite you to dinner."

"And you can see the photo then."

Evelyn was surprised.

This was the second time Mrs. Roland mentioned the photo.

She especially emphasized Evelyn seeing it.

Though unsure of the reason, she trusted Mrs. Roland meant no harm.

She nodded immediately. "I'm free."

"Good. Then we'll see you tomorrow night."

Mrs. Roland gently patted her hand.

She took Mr. Roland's arm and turned to leave.

Mr. Roland lowered his voice. "Why not tell her your suspicion directly?"

"Without evidence, it only causes unnecessary worry."

"Once Ryan brings the photo tomorrow, everything will be clear."

"It's just one day."

Mr. Roland smiled. "Whatever you say."

Their whispers drifted on the wind.

Evelyn couldn't catch every word.

But watching their retreating figures, she felt an inexplicable warmth.

She thought of William Ashcroft's constant caution around his wife, Sophia.

His efforts to please her seemed overly deliberate and subservient.

It was far less natural and harmonious than the Rolands.

Since childhood, everyone said William adored Sophia.

But Sophia was aloof, not warm toward him.

People said it was because of Evelyn and Linda's existence.

That they made William unable to hold his head high before Sophia...

Evelyn shook her head, feeling she overthought it.

The Ashcroft family's dynamics were indeed strange.

Sophia, so proud, yet tolerated her husband's love child and mistress.

William disliked Evelyn, his illegitimate daughter.

He believed she ruined his marital relationship.

Yet Sophia treated Evelyn with exceptional gentleness...

Evelyn truly couldn't understand how a couple should interact.

"What are you thinking?" Alexander Vance's deep voice sounded by her ear.

Evelyn looked up. "What do you think we'll be like when we're old?"

The Rolands had reached their car.

Mr. Roland opened the door, carefully shielding the top to prevent Mrs. Roland from bumping her head.

Mrs. Roland turned and gave him a soft smile.

Alexander also saw this, a flicker of envy in his eyes. "Probably like the Rolands."

Evelyn was about to say he didn't have Mr. Roland's good temper.

But he continued, "With children, relying on each other for companionship."

"How many children do you want to have?"

Evelyn fell silent.

The topic shifted a bit too quickly.

She coughed lightly, quickly changing the subject. "Let's take Grandma home first."

Alexander nodded.

They returned to the banquet hall.

Nannies were cleaning up the aftermath.

The hall felt particularly spacious after the noise.

But Evelyn preferred this tranquility after the excitement.

She held Mrs. Eleanor Vance's arm. "Grandma, let's go back."

"Alright."

Mrs. Vance affectionately patted her hand.

She then glared fiercely at Robert Vance.

Robert's face was cold. "Mom, don't look at me."

"Your granddaughter-in-law has questionable origins. She's a love child."

"Even if she escaped today, if she ever does anything to shame the Vance family, I won't be lenient!"

He snorted coldly and went upstairs.

Mrs. Vance pointed at his retreating back, furious. "Ungrateful son! Biased!"

"You favor your eldest son, so I'll favor my youngest grandson!"

She spoke like a petulant child.

She tightly grasped Evelyn's hand. "Marrying my granddaughter-in-law is the Vance family's blessed fortune!"

"My granddaughter-in-law would never shame the Vances!"

"Right, boy?"

Alexander glanced at Evelyn with a smile. "Yes."

As the three walked toward the backyard, a car horn sounded from the front.

Fiona hurried over to report. "Miss Isabella has been sent back."

This was expected.

Isabella was pregnant.

The police couldn't hold her long.

At most, a verbal warning, a fine, and an apology.

Evelyn didn't pay it much mind.

It wasn't until she lay down at night and picked up her phone that she saw Isabella's string of abusive messages.

Pregnancy and tonight's humiliation had pushed Isabella over the edge.

She raged in the messages:

[Evelyn Ross, you love child, born trash! How dare you marry Alexander?!]

[You just want to one-up me, don't you?!]

[Well, forget it! You'll never surpass me in this lifetime! I still hold the household authority!]

[Think marrying Alexander makes you a phoenix? You can't change your origins!]

[You can't wash away the original sin in your blood!]

[Two years married and no pregnancy? That's your lowly blood's retribution!]

[I'll soon give birth to the Vance family's legitimate eldest grandson! You'll never compare!]

Evelyn stared at the glaring words "love child" on the screen.

Her jaw tightened.

She quickly replied: [Are you sure the child is a Vance's?]

The other side immediately fell silent.

No response for a long time.

Evelyn lowered her eyes.

Those three words had stirred her emotions...

The night passed without incident.

The next morning, Evelyn woke and checked her phone.

A message from Chloe Roland: [Savior, my brother fixed the photo!]

[He's on his way to San Francisco! He'll come find us once he wakes up!]

[Mom and Dad say they have a big surprise to show you!]