Mr.Valentine stood frozen.

For a moment, he saw his mother in her youth.

The girl before him bore a striking resemblance to his late mother, making it hard to look away.

He stared blankly at Evelyn Ross, his feet moving forward on their own.

Evelyn noticed the handsome older man approaching and paused.

She glanced around, confirming no one else was nearby. Was he coming for her?

As she wondered, Mr.Valentine sat across from her. Their eyes met.

Evelyn asked, "Can I help you?"

Mr.Valentine replied, "Weren't you the one staring first?"

Evelyn was confused.

Had she just been targeted for looking too long?

She smiled lightly. "I just thought you looked familiar, sir."

"What a coincidence." His voice was deep and cool, yet nostalgic. "So did I."

He hadn't seen his mother in over twenty years. This girl's face...

He asked suddenly, "May I ask your father's surname?"

Evelyn was puzzled.

The man seemed odd, yet strangely familiar. She didn't want to lie.

William Ashcroft wasn't her biological father. Mr.Valentine might be, or might not. Last time, Sophia Ashcroft hadn't answered, her eyes filled with sorrow. Evelyn hadn't pressed further.

After a moment, she said, "I don't know."

Mr.Valentine was surprised. "How can you not know?"

"I've never met him."

Evelyn shrugged. "Is that strange?"

Seeing her casual demeanor, he chuckled and shook his head. "Not at all."

A happy smile spread across Evelyn's lips. "Exactly. Who he is doesn't matter. Having my mom is everything."

Mr.Valentine asked, "You're close with your mother?"

"Yes."

Since learning the truth about her origins, these past days had been her happiest.

The suppressed joy in her heart longed to be shared.

She was usually quiet, rarely opening up to anyone. Alexander Vance had been worried about his grandmother lately. She didn't want to add to his burdens.

But this unfamiliar uncle made her want to talk.

She looked at Mr.Valentine and spoke slowly. "You know what? My mom is the best in the world. When I failed exams, she never scolded me. Instead, she bought cake to cheer me up. She never demanded I achieve great things. She just wanted me to be happy."

That was how Sophia had raised Isabella Ashcroft.

Evelyn had dreamed countless times of being Isabella, held gently by Mrs. Ashcroft, comforted softly.

Those dreams used to make her guilty, as if she had stolen something from Isabella.

She shouldn't feel even a hint of envy.

But now she knew they weren't just dreams.

Evelyn continued, "I got married. Mom never said I married beneath me. When she heard my husband was a troublemaker, she just smiled gently. She asked me to bring him home to meet her."

She chattered on and on.

Only when she saw the handsome uncle's stern face soften did she snap back to reality. "Sorry, I talked too much."

Mr.Valentine didn't mind. Gazing at her face, he thought of his own mother. Nostalgia filled his eyes. "Your mother sounds wonderful. But my mother was better."

Evelyn was taken aback.

She didn't like that.

She rolled up her sleeves, smiling insincerely. "Impossible! No one is better than my mom!"

Mr.Valentine frowned. "I've never seen a more open-minded mother than mine."

"You haven't met enough people." Evelyn scoffed. "My mom is not only gentle, but also beautiful!"

Mr.Valentine said coldly, "My mother was more beautiful! She was known as the top beauty of her time!"

Evelyn dismissed it. "If you met my mom, you'd understand. No one can resist her charm!"

Mr.Valentine was intrigued. "Then take me to meet her?"

"Fine! Let's go now!" Evelyn stood up angrily, eager to show off her mom to the world.

The tension between them was palpable. Other diners glanced over. A waiter nervously approached to intervene, but then...

Evelyn and Mr.Valentine glared at each other, then suddenly burst into laughter together.

Evelyn felt silly and inexplicable!

A smile appeared on Mr.Valentine's stern face. He felt absurd for arguing with a young girl at his age.

Mr.Valentine said slowly, "You have plans tonight?"

Evelyn nodded. "Yes, my husband will be here soon."

Mr.Valentine suggested, "I heard this private kitchen is excellent. I'd like to try more dishes, but ordering alone is wasteful. Shall we share a table?"

Evelyn agreed immediately. "No problem! Are you from out of town? This meal is on me!"

Mr.Valentine, always direct, nodded. "Then I'll accept your generosity."

The handsome uncle's personality appealed to Evelyn. She felt more favorable toward him. She waved to the waiter. "Bring all your signature dishes!"

It was her restaurant anyway. They could eat as much as they wanted.

Mr.Valentine didn't object. He said slowly, "Shall we exchange WhatsApp?"

"Sure!"

Evelyn took out her phone to scan his code.

Mr.Valentine hinted, "I don't usually add just anyone."

Evelyn smiled faintly. "Same here."

After adding each other, Evelyn smiled again. "Uncle, from now on, you're my friend. If you need anything, just ask."

Mr.Valentine said immediately, "Actually, I have a problem. I need your advice."

Evelyn asked, "What is it?"

"I accidentally offended a younger relative. How can I make it up to her?"

Evelyn thought for a moment. "Boy or girl?"

"Girl."

"Send flowers?" Evelyn suggested, thinking hard. "Pink ones, preferably! Girls love pink!"

Mr.Valentine nodded, taking notes. "I'll try that."

"Okay. If it doesn't work, message me. I'll give you more ideas."

Evelyn shook her phone. She saw a message from Alexander Vance: [I'm at the entrance. Are you in the main hall or a private room?]

She immediately looked toward the door and saw Alexander getting out of his car.

Her eyes lit up as she waved to him.