Alexander Vance's gaze was intense.

He stared fixedly at the woman before him.

During their encounter at the hospital, he had been too immersed in grief to notice her.

But meeting again today, her interactions with Sophia Ashcroft, and that familiar sense of默契…

He was almost certain she was Evelyn!

Why wouldn't she acknowledge him?

Alexander reached out to remove her mask.

Evelyn Ross stepped back.

Her voice was cool and detached. "Mr. Vance, please show some respect!"

That voice…

Alexander's eyes instantly reddened. "Evelyn!"

Evelyn's body stiffened slightly.

He had indeed recognized her.

Before she could speak, Alexander pressed urgently, "Why haven't you come home?"

Evelyn frowned. "Mr. Vance, I don't understand what you mean…"

"You…"

Alexander tried to say more, but a voice interrupted him. "Grace!"

Zack Davis emerged from the car, holding Chloe Davis.

He glared at Alexander with clear hostility. "Who are you? Why are you manhandling my wife?"

Evelyn lowered her eyes and remained silent.

Alexander was stunned.

Zack charged up to Evelyn. "You're a married woman! Carrying on with some strange man in broad daylight? Have you no shame? You will explain yourself right now!"

Mrs. Davis walked over, her voice shrill. "Grace, you put on such a proper act usually. So this is what you get up to behind our backs? Flirting with men before your face has even healed? How dare you betray my son like this?"

Alexander was bewildered by these accusations.

Evelyn feigned hurt. "Zack, Mom, I didn't…"

"Still lying? We saw everything! You were practically throwing yourself into his arms! Shameless!"

Mrs. Davis shoved Evelyn. She then snatched Chloe from Zack's arms and sneered. "Useless girl. Look how cheap your mother is. Don't you grow up to be like her!"

Chloe reached out her small hands, calling out in a milky voice. "Mommy, up…"

Evelyn reclaimed the child, explaining softly. "He said I looked suspicious wearing a mask… He wanted to check…"

Zack was half-convinced, half-doubting. "Really?"

Evelyn looked at Alexander, her tone pleading. "Mr. Vance, could you please explain? My husband has misunderstood…"

Alexander watched the scene unfold.

The masked woman's expression was unreadable. But Zack, his mother, even the child—none of them seemed to be lying.

Could she truly not be Evelyn?

The DNA report for that body was still at home…

Had he been refusing to accept reality, deceiving himself all this time?

Zack assessed Alexander. Though he seemed distraught, his bearing was undeniably refined. Zack's tone softened slightly. "My wife's face is injured. She applied iodine and can't show it, hence the mask. Please don't take offense."

Alexander looked at Evelyn.

The skin visible around the edge of the mask did appear yellowish.

Was that why she wore the mask?

A profound sense of disappointment washed over Alexander.

He clenched his fists, his voice hoarse. "My apologies."

With that, he turned and left.

His retreating figure looked both wretched and heartbroken.

Zack curled his lip. "Weirdo."

He turned and saw Evelyn staring after the departing man. Annoyed, he snapped, "What are you looking at? He's a scion of a wealthy family. You think he'd be interested in someone like you?"

According to Grace's usual character, she should be meekly begging for forgiveness.

But Evelyn merely gave him a cool glance, then turned and carried the child back to the car.

That look sent a chill down Zack's spine.

He snorted coldly but said nothing more.

The group arrived at the hotel.

Evelyn was pondering how to get rid of Zack that night when he proactively stated, "You sleep with Chloe. I'll stay with Mom."

Evelyn was taken aback.

They had specifically booked two queen rooms!

He was going to share a room with his mother?

Mrs. Davis lifted her chin defiantly. "What are you staring at? Zack always sleeps with me at home. Why should a hotel change that?"

Evelyn was speechless.

Zack gave a thin, unpleasant smile. "Grace, my dad died young. Mom has slept beside me my whole life. Don't make a scene. It's embarrassing."

Evelyn found this mother-son pair utterly absurd.

She picked up Chloe and entered the other room.

Never having cared for a child before, she searched online for guidance. But she found Chloe remarkably well-behaved.

She didn't cry or fuss. She bathed herself, climbed into bed with her bottle, and patted her own bottom to lull herself to sleep.

Evelyn's heart ached watching her.

Such懂事ness spoke volumes about past hardships.

It wouldn't be like this anymore.

As long as she was here, Chloe would never suffer again.

She lay down but tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Thinking of Sophia Ashcroft lying comatose, something felt off.

Her mother's coma this time was just too strange.

Evelyn didn't sleep a wink all night.

Dawn gradually broke.

Today was the day of Mrs. Vance's cremation and burial.

The Ashcroft Residence.

William Ashcroft sent Nancy Ashcroft away, then turned to look at Sophia.

She had regained some strength and was glaring at him fiercely.

William approached with a syringe, his tone gentle. "Be good. After this injection, I'll take you to see Evelyn off."

Sophia shook her head, her eyes full of entreaty.

William stroked her cheek. "Just bear with it a little longer… After today, we'll leave. No more medication, alright?"

His gentle tone made Sophia tremble.

The needle pierced her skin.

Icy liquid flowed into her veins.

Sophia lost all strength.

Her eyes reddened as she continued to glare fixedly at William.

William lightly kissed her lips. "Sophia, you finally belong completely to me…"

His hand slowly trailed downward, closing around her ankle.

His breathing grew ragged.

A tear slid from the corner of Sophia's eye.

William wiped it away. "Still unwilling to give yourself to me? Sophia, when will you finally accept me…"

He suddenly pinched her chin, forcing her head up, and bit down hard on her shoulder!

Sophia cried out in pain.

Nancy's voice came from outside the door. "Sir, Madam, everything is prepared."

Sophia looked pleadingly at William.

William chuckled softly, patting her cheek. "Let's go see Evelyn off first. Tonight… I will have you."

Sophia trembled all over.

She clenched her fist, as if overcome with humiliation.

William didn't notice the small piece of paper clutched tightly in her palm.

He picked her up and carried her out.