Thomas Watson's voice came through the phone.

"Mr. Ashcroft, the boss wants to ask Miss Isabella when exactly he said he wanted Evelyn Ross to disappear from San Francisco?"

"He himself has no memory of saying such a thing."

William Ashcroft froze, staring at Isabella in disbelief.

Isabella's face instantly turned deathly pale.

William spent a long time apologizing profusely into the phone.

He was only met with a final, cold remark.

"The Ashcroft family should really learn to discipline their daughter properly."

After the call ended, he glared furiously at Isabella.

Isabella bowed her head, silent tears falling.

"I saw Evelyn pestering Mr. Vance. I was afraid she would ruin my engagement with Julian."

"I was even more afraid the Vance family would look down on me… Dad, I didn't mean to."

William was furious.

"No matter what, you cannot falsely use Mr. Vance's name!"

Isabella clenched her fists, her eyes shifting nervously.

She sobbed.

"Dad, Evelyn is still your daughter. I was afraid you wouldn't have the heart to scold her…"

"Foolish!"

William took the bait, his anger redirected.

"How many times must I say it? I only have one daughter, and that's you!"

"What is Evelyn Ross? How could she ever compare to you?"

Sophia Ashcroft spoke up disapprovingly.

"William, don't say that. Evelyn is still your daughter!"

William immediately turned to her.

"Sophia, after all these years, don't you understand me?"

"That year, I was tricked by Linda Lowell. I wronged you and our daughter."

"I will never acknowledge her or her child!"

"In my heart, only you and our daughter are my family."

Linda Lowell, standing to the side disguised as a maid, clenched her fists in bitter resentment.

She looked at William with pained eyes.

This was the man she deeply loved, her childhood friend from next door.

Yet his eyes and heart only held Nán Jìngshū!

That year, after she became pregnant, she went to him with the positive test.

She said she was willing to be his mistress.

He mercilessly threw her out, saying he would never betray his wife…

Left with no options, Linda could only go to Sophia.

She threatened suicide to secure a place in the Ashcroft household.

All these years, William never showed her any kindness.

He treated Evelyn as if she were invisible…

Fortunately… she had switched the two babies at birth!

Linda lowered her head, forcing down a smirk.

William would never know.

The daughter he constantly claimed was his and Sophia's, the one he doted on all these years, Isabella, was actually her daughter!

As for Evelyn… she deserved the neglect! She deserved to be suppressed!

Sophia, however, shook her head stubbornly.

"William, Isabella was wrong. She lied and made us misunderstand Evelyn."

"Our family should apologize to Evelyn."

William frowned.

"Apologize? How could you, my wife, and my daughter apologize to Linda Lowell's child?"

Linda also quickly interjected.

"No need, no need. The Ashcroft family raised her. That's a tremendous grace in itself!"

"Besides, she was shamelessly chasing Mr. Vance. She was in the wrong."

"The Ashcroft family teaching her a lesson is only right. It's her good fortune…"

Sophia looked at them and sighed softly, offering no further argument.

After dinner, when Isabella escorted her back to her room, Sophia looked at her.

"If you have time tomorrow, I will take you to apologize to Evelyn in person."

Isabella's face stiffened. She thought she'd escaped her father, but not her mother…

She said with feigned grievance, "Okay."

Seeing her like this, Sophia sighed again.

"Didn't you want to bring Julian to meet Dr. Nan? We can go together tomorrow."

Isabella's eyes immediately lit up. She linked her arm with Sophia's.

"Okay, Mom. You're the best to me."

After offending Eleanor Vance, she had lost two percent of the shares in Vance Group.

She urgently needed to prove her worth in front of the Vance family, terrified Julian would call off the engagement.

Sophia patted her head helplessly.

After Isabella left happily, Sophia looked at Nancy.

"Nancy, my health has been poor these years. I haven't had the energy to properly guide Isabella. I've failed as a mother… cough cough cough…"

Nancy immediately said, "Madam, you're overthinking it! Miss Isabella is wonderful, filial and considerate."

"Even if she tells a lie occasionally, she can change later. It's not a major flaw."

Sophia replied, "Evelyn never lies."

She was wracked by another bout of violent coughing.

Nancy quickly helped her to the bed.

"You, Madam, think too much… that's why your illness hasn't improved all these years…"

A bitter expression crossed Sophia's features.

…

The next day.

Evelyn Ross woke up feeling slightly nervous.

It had been ten years since she last saw Sophia Ashcroft.

Would she be happy or angry to see her?

Around noon, she decided to go home to shower and change clothes.

The little old lady asked Alexander Vance to take her.

They went downstairs, and Thomas Watson approached.

"Boss."

Alexander nodded. Thomas handed a piece of paper to Evelyn.

"Miss Ross, please take a look."

Evelyn took it. It listed a row of renowned domestic professors specializing in new energy!

She looked at Thomas in confusion.

"What is this?"

Thomas lifted his chin.

"These are all professors more famous than Professor Lowell."

"You can choose one for your postgraduate studies."

"It's the boss's compensation for your revoked guaranteed admission."

"Miss Ross, meeting our boss, you've really turned misfortune into fortune."

Evelyn's mouth twitched.

"No, thank you."

Most of these professors had emailed her, seeking her professional advice.

"Then you want to continue with Professor Lowell for your postgraduate studies?"

"No."

"You look down on these? Do you actually want to study under Dr. Nan?"

Thomas frowned.

"That's difficult. Dr. Nan is extremely sought-after right now."

"I heard several foreign universities have invited him."

"Miss Ross, that kind of genius professor only accepts genius students."

"I'm afraid you wouldn't catch his eye."

"Don't aim too high. Pick one of these professors first."

"You can always try for Dr. Nan again after your Master's?"

"…"

Evelyn gave him a look as if he were an idiot.

She spoke directly to Alexander.

"Mr. Vance, there's no need to see me off. I'll take a taxi back."

She left the hospital, hailed a cab, and left.

Thomas scratched his head.

"I heard Isabella wants to study under Dr. Nan."

"Is Miss Ross just trying to not lose to her? Insisting on Dr. Nan?"

"Isn't that overestimating herself?"

Alexander watched the direction she left, his handsome face expressionless, his deep eyes unfathomable.

He suddenly said, "Help her contact Dr. Nan."

"What?" Thomas was stunned.

Why was the boss being so nice to her!

Was he bewitched by her face?

…

Sophia brought Isabella and Julian Evans to the private dining room ten minutes early.

After getting out of the car, Julian looked around.

"Why meet here?"

Isabella was puzzled.

"Julian, what's wrong?"

Julian pressed his lips together.

"Nothing."

Isabella looked at Sophia.

"Mom, is Dr. Nan here yet?"

Sophia replied, "She's already in the private room."