A dark glint flashed in Isabella's eyes.

She lowered her gaze to conceal her excitement, exchanging a look with Margaret Evans.

They both smiled knowingly.

What was something the lower class never experienced, but the upper class considered commonplace?

Equestrianism, of course.

A single lesson cost enough to deter ordinary families.

A thoroughbred foal was worth millions.

Annual upkeep expenses were at least three hundred thousand.

Even the middle class struggled to afford it.

Only the truly powerful could indulge in equestrian sports.

Today, they had to make Evelyn Ross humiliate herself at the club.

They needed to give Robert Vance a reason to strip Alexander Vance of his position as family head.

This gathering was for young people.

Margaret Evans and Richard Evans couldn't attend.

Margaret patted Isabella's hand, giving her a warning look.

Isabella clenched her fists.

Margaret's humiliating words from that morning still rang in her ears.

"Julian marrying you was a curse! Getting taken by the police last night brought immense shame to our branch! If you don't redeem yourself today, I'll make him divorce you!"

Isabella bit her lower lip, following Julian Evans to the parking lot.

Julian remained cold-faced the entire time.

His gaze was fixed on Evelyn ahead.

His expression was dark and unreadable.

Upon reaching the parking lot, Isabella moved toward their car.

A bodyguard in black stopped her.

"Mr. Vance requests your presence."

Isabella froze, confused, but walked over to Evelyn and Alexander.

Evelyn wore a white riding outfit.

Her posture was as straight and proud as a poplar tree.

Her stunning features glowed under the sunlight.

Alexander was in his usual black suit.

His sharp, handsome face was all severe angles.

Isabella dug her nails into her palms, forcing a smile. "You asked for me, Uncle?"

Alexander narrowed his long, narrow eyes.

His dark pupils were bottomless.

His stare sent a chill down Isabella's spine.

He spoke in a low voice. "Since you repeatedly disrespect your elders, I'll teach you some manners today. Open the door for your Aunt."

Isabella's pupils constricted.

She stared at Alexander in disbelief.

His stern face showed he wasn't joking.

She looked at Evelyn, who also seemed surprised.

Finally, she glanced at Julian.

Her husband merely frowned and stayed silent.

Isabella clenched her hands hard.

A wave of humiliation crashed over her.

How could this be...

Evelyn had always been her shadow since childhood.

Someone she could summon and dismiss at will.

Always meek and subservient.

Now, she was being stepped on by Evelyn!

How dare that bitch!

Isabella wanted to tear that face to shreds.

She wanted to devour her flesh.

But she didn't dare.

She could only grit her teeth and endure the shame.

She lowered her head and walked to the car, pulling the door open.

She forced the words through her teeth. "Aunt, please."

Evelyn glanced down and got into the car without a word.

Isabella slammed the door shut.

The window rolled up slowly.

Blocking out Isabella's twisted expression.

Evelyn turned to Alexander. "Thank you."

She knew.

Alexander had heard Isabella's provocation upstairs.

He was deliberately humiliating her in public.

She explained softly. "When she first learned to ride, she made me lead the horse on foot. After she could ride, she didn't need me anymore."

After all, people can't outrun horses.

She smiled. "I used to envy her when I watched her ride."

Before she could finish, Alexander took her hand.

His voice was low and tender. "You like riding? I'll teach you today."

Evelyn blinked, swallowing the rest of her sentence.

The corners of her lips lifted. "Okay."

Alexander gazed at her. "Everything you envied in the past, I will give it all to you from now on."

Evelyn nodded solemnly.

The motorcade arrived at the equestrian club.

The Vance family had a designated parking area.

After getting out, they headed to the changing rooms.

Evelyn was already in her riding clothes.

Alexander needed to change.

She waited outside the changing room.

Isabella and Julian were nowhere to be seen.

They were probably afraid of being ordered around in public again.

That was fine.

At least she could have some peace for a while.

Evelyn was lost in thought when she overheard a conversation nearby.

"I heard some big shots from New York are here. One of them absolutely cannot be offended!"

"Which young master from New York isn't difficult to deal with?"

"This one is different... It's that Xu family!"

The other person gasped. "The New York Xu family?"

"Keep your voice down! Even the San Francisco Vance family has to bow their heads to that one. We must be extra careful today. Alexander Vance cannot be offended, but that one is even more untouchable!"

"Understood. Better to offend the Vances than to provoke that one..."

The two whispered as they walked away.

Evelyn watched their retreating figures.

Among the guests from New York, Ryan Roland should be there.

Just as she thought this, the changing room door opened.

Ryan Roland stepped out.

His gold-rimmed glasses paired with a black riding outfit.

It accentuated his tall, slender figure.

He looked surprised to see Evelyn.

He walked over. "Miss Ross, what a coincidence."

The previous awkwardness of mistaking her identity had faded.

Since Evelyn was on good terms with his parents, she asked directly. "Mrs. Roland asked me to come see some photos at your place tonight. What photos are they? Are they related to me?"

Ryan recalled the photo of a face strikingly similar to Evelyn's.

He smiled slightly. "They are."