"Sophia..."

His men checked and shook their heads. "Lethal poison. No saving him."

Third Uncle looked at the bedroom, saying to Evelyn, "Ask Ms. Nan if she wants to see him one last time..."

After all, he was the man who had accompanied her for over twenty years, cared for her meticulously.

Sophia might want to see him off.

Evelyn thought it unnecessary but respected her mother's choice. She went to the door and knocked gently.

No answer came from the room!!

Evelyn paused, knocked again. Still silence.

She suddenly realized something!

Right...

William had accomplices when he kidnapped her and Grace. But they had entered the Ashcroft home too easily, meeting no resistance.

So... where were his accomplices?!

Third Uncle realized it too. They pushed the door open and rushed into the bedroom.

The room was empty. Sophia Ashcroft and Nanny Nancy were gone.

"Search! Immediately search the area! Lock down the entire neighborhood!" Third Uncle ran outside, shouting orders.

The dying William suddenly struggled and cried out, "It's them! They took Sophia! Go save her, save her!!"

He looked frantic, clearly not expecting this outcome!

In his final moments, he sat up abruptly, pointing next door. "The master bedroom has a tunnel to the neighboring house! They must have taken Sophia there!"

Before he finished, Third Uncle was already leading his men out the door.

Evelyn moved to follow, but William grabbed her pant leg. "Grace Nan, save Sophia! You must save her!"

Evelyn immediately grabbed his collar. "Them... who are they?!"

William's eyes widened. "They are..."

The roar of a helicopter split the sky.

Evelyn Ross's pupils constricted sharply.

She clearly saw Sophia Ashcroft and Nancy Ashcroft bound and shoved into the cabin.

Sophia's face was pressed against the glass, her lips moving soundlessly.

William Ashcroft charged out but was powerless to stop it.

The car sped off, chasing the horizon.

Evelyn turned and fixed her gaze on William.

Black blood continuously seeped from the corner of his mouth.

"Who are they?"

William's eyes were unfocused, his grip tight on her hand.

"It's you... Grace Nan... You came back and ruined everyone..."

He coughed violently, blood spraying.

"Sophia could have lived out her days in peace... It's all your fault..."

Evelyn dropped to one knee, her voice icy.

"I am Evelyn Ross."

William's pupils contracted violently.

He trembled as he clutched her sleeve.

"Evelyn? Is it really you..."

A final spark of hope ignited in his eyes.

"They are the Nan family... Sophia was always hiding from them..."

William spoke in broken fragments.

He admitted his selfishness in switching the infants.

He even confessed his obsessive possessiveness toward Sophia.

"Only the useless Grace Nan was allowed to live..."

William's breathing grew weaker.

In his final moments, he murmured to himself.

"Sophia... Did you ever love me..."

His hand went limp.

His eyes stared forever at the ceiling.

Evelyn stood up.

She called the police to handle the aftermath.

William Ashcroft sent a message.

The helicopter had vanished over the sea.

There was no trace to follow.

Evelyn gripped her phone tightly.

Sophia's surname was Nan.

Grace Nan's surname was also Nan.

This was no coincidence.

She had to keep pretending to be Grace Nan.

It was the only way to lure out the mastermind.

The night was deep.

Evelyn's gaze was resolute.

She would save her mother.

Her phone suddenly vibrated.

A WhatsApp message from Zack Davis urged her on.

Evelyn replied succinctly.

She walked toward the elevator.

Her thoughts were on her daughter.

Unaware that little Chloe was no longer in the room.

Alexander Vance stood in the center of the living room.

An oppressive aura radiated from him.

Zack Davis smiled obsequiously.

"Mr. Vance, she will be here any moment."

The lock clicked softly.

Evelyn pushed the door open.

Alexander's head snapped up.

His eyes, sharp as eagles, locked onto her.