Evelyn Ross showed no hint of joy on her face.

She asked directly, "What are the terms?"

"Complete the tasks I give you."

Evelyn scoffed.

She knew they wouldn't make it easy.

"What if I refuse?"

The voice on the other end laughed. "Grace, your mother is a traitor to the Nan family. What do you think happens to traitors who are caught?"

Evelyn's fingers trembled. "What happens?"

"Solitary confinement is the lightest punishment. For your mother's case, it would be the water dungeon. Only a little food each day. Some are paraded through the streets and whipped. The most severe punishment is the water cage."

Evelyn found it utterly absurd.

She even glanced around her surroundings.

Was this really the twenty-first century?

How could such private punishments still exist?

But she wasn't naive.

The world was vast. There were always corners the sunlight couldn't reach.

The more they said this, the more it proved Sophia Ashcroft was currently safe.

Evelyn lowered her gaze. "Haven't I been obedient? I handled the situation with Mina Sherwood and Marcus Valentine."

"Hahaha, indeed. Grace, I underestimated you before. You hid your true self so well. You've surprised me. Now show me your full capability! Let me see if you deserve to come home!"

The voice was filled with excitement. "The first task is nearly complete. The second task will be sent to your phone in a couple of days."

The call ended.

Evelyn stared at her phone, her brow furrowed.

Alexander Vance had muted himself earlier and now spoke. "What's wrong?"

Evelyn relayed the conversation.

Alexander's eyes darkened. "That place might not be within the country. I'll have people search globally."

The world was too big.

Her mother could be hidden in any corner.

Even on some unknown, isolated island.

No wonder the Ashcroft and Vance families couldn't find her.

Evelyn pressed her lips together tightly.

She only had one path left.

Complete the tasks.

Inside Marcus Valentine's car.

Marcus irritably loosened his tie.

He looked at Mina. "If you want to keep this child, forget about marrying me. Your choice."

Mina gave a bitter smile.

She turned to look out the window. "Don't worry. I won't cling to you."

Her attitude annoyed Marcus even more.

The rest of the ride passed in silence.

The car stopped outside the Nan family villa.

Marcus finally realized. "You're not going back to the Sherwood residence?"

"Staying with Grace for now."

Mina pushed the car door open. "Thanks. Goodbye."

She walked through the gate.

Leaning against the back of the door, she covered her heart.

Her jaw was tight, and her eyes slowly reddened.

Marcus's words cut like a knife.

She did like him, but she wasn't a masochist.

She would go abroad tomorrow.

Take the child and leave forever.

Her phone vibrated.

A WhatsApp message from Kevin Sherwood: [Mina, the Valentine family is coming to propose tomorrow. Remember to come back.]

Mina gripped her phone.

She replied: [Uncle, he and I aren't suited.]

She walked towards the living room.

But she overheard a conversation inside.

Grace's voice was low. "Why was their first task to make Mina marry Marcus Valentine?"

Mina froze instantly.

She hadn't misunderstood.

She suddenly remembered Grace mentioning a task before.

Back then, Grace said: "They want me to scheme against the most important person."

She thought the most important person was Zack Davis.

It was her all along?

And later…

Grace was soft-hearted, yet she cut ties because of something Zack said.

Was that to protect her?

Mina trusted Grace.

She knew Grace wouldn't harm her.

Her situation with Marcus was just a series of misunderstandings.

The voice of the boy toy came through: "Not sure. But you accidentally completed the first task."

Grace said, "If Marcus treats Mina poorly, I won't let them get married. I need to get the full story when Mina gets back."

Mina's eyes welled up.

She knew it…

The boy toy asked, "What about your mom? How will you save her if you don't complete the tasks?"

Mina's pupils constricted.

Save her mom?

No wonder Grace had been so preoccupied lately.

Her mother was captured?

So Grace was being forced to complete tasks?

Grace's voice was firm. "No matter what, we can't sacrifice Mina's happiness."

Mina's eyes reddened.

Grace always thought of her first…

She quietly retreated.

She stood outside the villa.

Her phone vibrated again.

Another message from Kevin Sherwood: [Good girl, had a fight with Marcus?]

Messages from her parents also popped up:

[Mina, stop making trouble. Marrying young master Valentine is your good fortune! Your reputation is ruined. Who else can you marry besides him?]

Mina looked at the messages and suddenly laughed.

Her refusal and plans to leave were just prideful delusions.

It turned out she never had a choice.

She replied: [Come pick me up.]