She Had Always Known.

Evelyn stared at the red booklet in her hand.

She suddenly remembered the first time she met the old lady.

The lady had called her granddaughter-in-law.

So the old lady had known they were married all along.

She immediately pressed for answers. "Grandma, how did you get this?"

Eleanor Vance looked confused. "I... I can't remember."

Evelyn asked another question. "How did Mr. Vance and I get married?"

Eleanor continued to shake her head. "I don't remember."

Evelyn grew anxious. "Grandma, please try to think harder..."

"Enough!"

Alexander Vance's cold voice cut through the air.

His tall frame stepped between them.

His gaze was sharp. "Miss Ross, is that certificate real?"

"Of course."

Alexander's eyes darkened. "Next, you're going to say we don't need to go to City Hall."

So that was her plan.

First, suggest going to City Hall to set the stage.

Then have his grandmother produce a fake document.

If he hadn't seen how obedient his grandmother was to her, he might have believed it.

Evelyn felt the chill emanating from him and found it baffling. "We don't have to go today."

Divorce wasn't a simple trip to City Hall.

Two years of marriage involved asset division.

They needed to sign a divorce agreement first.

"No."

Alexander stared at her intently.

The girl merely raised a brow. "Suit yourself."

Was she that good of an actress, or was the certificate real?

Alexander suddenly felt uncertain.

He picked up the marriage certificate and strode out first. "I'll wait for you in the parking lot."

Evelyn gave Eleanor a reassuring smile and quickly followed.

The man walked fast.

She almost had to jog to keep up.

They reached the parking lot.

Linda Lowell was there supporting Isabella Ashcroft.

Isabella looked pale.

Her legs trembled.

She kept sneezing.

Linda's eyes lit up when she saw Evelyn. "Evelyn!"

She bypassed Alexander and walked over.

She spoke with a sense of entitlement. "You must help your sister!"

Evelyn raised an eyebrow.

She didn't understand why these two were here so early in the morning.

Did they not leave last night either?

She remained silent.

Linda chattered on incessantly.

"Evelyn, the Ashcrofts raised you despite your background. You should be grateful."

"Your sister has been so good to you. She took you to school and shared her clothes with you."

"You were weak at birth. You survived by taking your sister's milk."

"The Ashcrofts took us in because you and Isabella were born on the same day."

"You owe Isabella. You must be good to her for life."

Evelyn hadn't heard these words in ten years.

Thinking about how she believed these lies as a child.

She had worked like a slave for the Ashcrofts.

It was laughable.

The Ashcrofts did raise her.

But parents are supposed to provide for their children.

She went to school with Isabella.

But she had to carry Isabella's backpack and be her follower.

If Isabella felt slightly unwell, Evelyn would be beaten.

Her test scores could never surpass Isabella's.

She always had to be last.

She always wore Isabella's hand-me-downs.

They were always too short.

When Mrs. Ashcroft bought a new dress, Evelyn would wear it.

But it would immediately be taken off and given to Isabella.

As for being weak...

What baby wouldn't be weak after starving for four or five days?

...

The mockery in Evelyn's eyes grew deeper.

Linda remained oblivious and continued.

"Now is the time for repayment. Mrs. Vance listens to you. Tell her to return the shares to your sister!"

Evelyn lowered her eyes and smiled lightly. "You're right."

Linda looked pleased, thinking she had convinced her.

But the girl said softly, "I'm just a love child. Why would Mrs. Vance listen to me?"

Linda was stunned and wanted to say more.

But Evelyn had already strode past her.

She got directly into Alexander's car. "Let's go."

Alexander was speechless.

He looked at the girl in the back seat.

He wanted to say the driver hadn't arrived yet.

But he saw Linda trying to catch up...

Alexander got into the driver's seat.

He closed the door, fastened his seatbelt, and drove off.

The black Bentley drove smoothly.

Alexander glanced in the rearview mirror.

The girl was looking out the window.

Her profile was exquisite but aloof.

He looked away and continued driving.

The warning he intended to give remained unspoken.

They soon arrived at City Hall.

The car had just stopped when Thomas Watson knocked on the window.

Alexander rolled down the window.

Thomas said urgently, "Boss, the driver said you drove off alone. I rushed over. Is something wrong?"

"No."

Alexander was as concise as ever.

Thomas looked at City Hall. "Why are we here? Did Evelyn pester you into paranoia? Don't worry, I said she wouldn't see you again, or I would..."

"Eat shit on a live stream?"

A lazy female voice interrupted him.

Thomas turned stiffly.

He saw Evelyn in the back seat smiling faintly. "What's your live stream channel?"

...

Thomas was completely dumbfounded.

The three entered City Hall and approached a service window.

Thomas asked first, "Excuse me, can you get a marriage certificate without both parties present?"

The staff replied, "Definitely not."

"See?" Thomas looked at Evelyn mockingly.

He glanced at the marriage certificate in her hand and sneered. "You even prepared a fake one? I'm calling the police! I'll report you for forgery and harassment!"

Alexander handed the marriage certificate over. "Could you please check if this is authentic?"