Recognition!

Sophia Ashcroft suffered from chronic insomnia.

The Ashcroft villa had been specially soundproofed during its renovation.

Soundproofing material was embedded within the walls.

Neither the living room nor the bedrooms could hear any noise from outside.

Sophia was having a meal.

She heard none of the commotion outside.

It wasn't until the group rushed in.

That she looked up in surprise.

Evelyn Ross quickly stepped forward.

She handed the photo to Sophia.

Her voice was full of anticipation. "Madam, do you recognize the person in this photo?"

Sophia looked down.

The woman in the photo had delicate features.

She looked almost identical to Evelyn.

Sophia showed a surprised expression.

She looked at the photo.

Then she looked at Evelyn.

Her gaze finally settled on Mr. Roland.

Mr. Roland spoke urgently. "Miss Nan, doesn't she look familiar?"

Sophia frowned slightly.

Her eyes moved between the photo and Evelyn.

Mr. Roland tried again. "Miss Evelyn and the person in the photo must be related by blood, right?"

Sophia lowered her eyes.

She was silent for a moment before speaking. "They do look very similar. Evelyn, is this your grandmother?"

Evelyn froze.

Her voice trembled. "You don't recognize her?"

Sophia asked in confusion. "Should I?"

Evelyn turned sharply to look at Mr. Roland.

Mr. Roland was also stunned. "Isn't this Madam Nan?"

Sophia frowned. "My mother? No…"

Evelyn felt as if she had fallen into an icy abyss.

Her hope was instantly shattered.

She stood there in a daze.

Her fingers tightened unconsciously.

Mr. Roland was incredulous. "How can that not be her?"

Sophia smiled bitterly. "I wouldn't mistake my own mother."

Nancy Ashcroft stepped forward.

She glanced at the photo and shook her head. "The old lady had a red mole between her eyebrows."

Mr. Roland was completely stunned.

He looked at the photo.

Then he looked at Sophia.

The two women did not resemble each other.

Mrs. Roland pulled his arm. "Lao Song, did you remember wrong?"

Mr. Roland was bewildered.

Mrs. Roland looked at Evelyn. "Evelyn, this might be your maternal grandmother…"

Mr. Roland pulled her back. "Don't talk nonsense!"

Mrs. Roland then realized her mistake.

She glanced at William Ashcroft.

She lowered her voice. "Evelyn doesn't look like Mr. Ashcroft either…"

Neither of them dared to say more.

Evelyn pressed her lips together tightly.

Sophia examined the photo again.

The woman in the photo felt familiar to her.

But she couldn't remember where she had seen her.

The events in New York were over twenty years ago.

She handed the photo back to Evelyn.

She was about to speak.

Her gaze suddenly fell on Marcus Valentine.

She paused slightly. "You are?"

Marcus stepped forward. "Mrs. Ashcroft, I am Marcus Valentine. My Third Uncle sends his regards."

Third Uncle…

Sophia swayed.

Nancy quickly supported her.

Sophia's face turned pale.

Her eyes looked dazed.

It was as if she was seeing that person through him.

William Ashcroft called softly. "A-Shu."

Sophia regained her composure.

She took a deep breath. "What brings you here?"

Marcus smiled. "You invited Young Master Li. Third Uncle asked me to come to San Francisco for a visit. Are you and my Third Uncle close?"

He studied Sophia carefully.

His Third Uncle had never married.

Yet he showed particular concern for this lady.

Sophia's face grew even paler.

She forced herself to remain calm. "We are merely acquaintances."

Her fingers tightened within her sleeves.

William looked at Isabella. "Young Master Xu, let Isabella show you around San Francisco."

Sophia's body stiffened.

William whispered in her ear. "A-Shu, let Isabella bond with her cousin."

Sophia remembered that night over twenty years ago.

She had discovered she was pregnant.

She fled New York for San Francisco.

She gave birth to Isabella.

Her face was deathly pale.

She could barely stand.

William said urgently. "Young Master Xu, Mr. Roland, A-Shu is unwell. We cannot entertain you today."

Marcus nodded in confusion.

Isabella and Julian Evans stayed.

The others gradually left.

Evelyn turned away, heartbroken.

She felt like a joke.

Her extravagant hope had been dashed once again.

She lowered her head and walked toward the door.

Mr. Roland was full of guilt.

He didn't know how to apologize.

Sophia watched them leave.

Marcus unintentionally walked next to Evelyn.

They walked side by side.

Their similar peach blossom eyes jolted Sophia awake.

She remembered.

The woman in the photo was Mr.Valentine's mother!

Marcus's grandmother!

Sophia's pupils constricted sharply.

She looked at Evelyn in disbelief.

Nancy had just shown her the DNA report this morning.

Evelyn was not William's daughter.

She had been puzzled.

Now she finally understood.

Evelyn resembled Mr.Valentine's mother.

Because Mr.Valentine was her father!

Evelyn was her daughter with Mr.Valentine!