Zack Davis was about to leave.

A cool voice called out from behind him. "Handsome Uncle."

Zack's steps halted abruptly.

His mother stumbled, nearly falling to the ground.

They both turned around, their eyes wide with shock as they stared at Evelyn Ross.

Zack's mother hissed in a low voice. "What are you shouting?"

Zack frantically wiped his sweat and forced a smile at Mr. Valentine. "Sir, she doesn't know any better. Please don't mind her..."

Before he could finish, Mr. Valentine suddenly stood up.

Zack's legs went weak, and he almost knelt.

He glared furiously at Evelyn. "You insolent fool! Apologize to Mr. Valentine right now!"

But Mr. Valentine strode past him, walking directly up to Evelyn.

His tone was cautious. "Little friend, why haven't you replied to my WhatsApp messages? Are you still angry with me?"

Zack was completely dumbfounded.

His mother stood there, speechless.

They exchanged bewildered glances, utterly confused.

Evelyn pulled out her phone, remembering it was actually Grace Nan's device.

She looked down. "The number that added you before was different. I lost that phone."

"Shall we add each other again then?"

Mr. Valentine took out his phone and brought up his QR code once more.

Zack's eyes nearly popped out of his head.

Everyone said Mr. Valentine's WhatsApp was extremely difficult to get.

It had taken Zack great effort to add him just yesterday.

And now Mr. Valentine was actively asking Grace Nan to add him?

Was this really the same cold and ruthless Mr. Valentine from the rumors?

Evelyn stared at the QR code, her mind in turmoil.

Now that she knew he was Mr. Valentine, she didn't really want to add him.

Her mother absolutely did not want to see him.

But she couldn't openly reject him in front of so many people.

Evelyn finally scanned the code.

They added each other on WhatsApp again.

Zack wiped his cold sweat and cautiously asked, "Sir, do you know Grace Nan?"

Mr. Valentine's eyes flickered.

He was about to speak when Evelyn cut in. "We met today at Mrs. Vance's funeral."

Mr. Valentine swallowed his words.

He looked at Zack, his gaze shifting to Zack's mother.

Was this the "very good, very good" mother the little friend had mentioned?

She didn't seem very good at all...

He withdrew his gaze disdainfully and gestured for everyone to sit down.

Mr. Valentine studied Evelyn's face. "Miss Nan, may I ask if your surname Nan is from your father or your mother?"

Evelyn was slightly taken aback.

She truly couldn't answer that question.

The surname Nan was indeed rare.

She only knew that Grace Nan had adoptive parents, but she wasn't clear on the specifics.

Before she could respond, Zack hurriedly interjected. "It's from her adoptive father!"

Mr. Valentine was stunned. "Adoptive father?"

Zack forced a smile. "Yes, she was an abandoned infant. Thrown away right after birth. Later adopted by her foster parents. She's lived in New York all her life. After her adoptive parents passed, they left her a villa and a small company..."

Both adoptive parents were dead?

Evelyn was also surprised.

No wonder Grace Nan had no one to rely on and was easily manipulated.

Mr. Valentine pressed his lips together. Seeing that Evelyn didn't want to elaborate, he changed the subject. "Do you live in New York permanently?"

"Yes, yes. We have a villa in the northern sixth ring. The company is also there..."

"What industry?"

"New energy! It's the trending industry this year! We just formed a team. We're in the early stages..."

Zack looked at Mr. Valentine eagerly, hoping to secure some projects.

Mr. Valentine, being who he was, had already sensed the微妙 relationship between Evelyn and Zack.

He simply sipped his tea, passing the teacups to everyone in turn.

After the tea, the dishes from Le Jardin Secret were served one after another.

Mr. Valentine invited everyone to move to the dining table.

When no one was looking, he glanced at the teacup Evelyn had used.

Seeing the table full of delicacies, Zack quickly flattered. "Sir, the food here is absolutely amazing! We've never had such authentic San Francisco cuisine in New York! This must be the work of Le Jardin Secret's head chef, right?"

The waiter sighed softly. "Our head chef... was Mrs. Vance. They say she interned under a state banquet chef during her training and learned the real skills. That's why her cooking was exceptional. But Mrs. Vance only cooked one table per month. It was impossible to get a reservation before... What a pity..."

The waiter lowered his head.

The restaurant owner had always been very mysterious. They had never seen them.

It wasn't until the news of Mrs. Vance's death came that the manager broke down in tears, and they learned the truth.

Mr. Valentine's expression darkened, and he put down his chopsticks.

He looked at Evelyn. "You went to see Mrs. Ashcroft today. How is she?"

Evelyn said, "Mrs. Ashcroft hasn't woken up yet..."

"She has."

Mr. Valentine interrupted her. "Mrs. Ashcroft sent me a message saying she needed a favor."

Evelyn was startled. "What favor?"

Mr. Valentine shook his head. "I'm not sure. I went to the hospital but didn't see her. Later, she was discharged."

"Discharged?"

Evelyn became agitated. "Mrs. Ashcroft is so weak. How could she be discharged?"

Mr. Valentine noticed her unusual reaction and looked at her curiously.

Evelyn realized she had lost her composure and coughed lightly. "I just think it's illogical."

Mr. Valentine nodded. "So I'd like to trouble you, little friend, to visit the Ashcroft family again when you have time."

Evelyn immediately stood up. "I have time now."

She looked at Zack. Before she could speak, Zack hurriedly waved his hand. "Attending to Sir's matters is more important. You should go!"

Evelyn nodded and turned to leave quickly.

She could hide the truth from everyone.

But she could never hide it from her mother.