Ethan Valentine looked serious.

"I see no problem with this."

Penelope Valentine was stunned.

She instinctively looked at Third Uncle.

Mr.Valentine spoke calmly. "Don't you own property?"

Penelope's face changed.

She hurried to explain. "Third Uncle, I…"

"I have a spare room. You can stay with me for now."

Ethan cut her off.

Penelope was speechless.

It was the first time she had been angered by such a blunt man.

She bit her lip hard.

Ethan patted her shoulder.

"Even though you're adopted, no need to stand on ceremony with me."

"We grew up together. My home is your home."

He then looked at Mr.Valentine.

"Third Uncle, I'll tell our sister tomorrow that Penelope has moved out."

"Shall I ask her to come back and stay then?"

Mr.Valentine couldn't be bothered with him.

"As you wish."

Before entering, he glanced at Penelope.

"Have Nanny Liu help you pack your belongings."

He wanted her to move out immediately.

Penelope took a deep breath.

She steadied herself.

Her lips were clenched tightly.

After a long moment, she finally nodded.

"Understood, Third Uncle."

She balled her fists and walked into the room.

She began packing her things.

Looking at the room she had lived in for over twenty years.

Her eyes were filled with hatred.

Why?

Why did she have to leave just because that Evelyn was back?

What did the Xu Family even take her for?

Tears welled up in Penelope's eyes.

She glared fiercely at everything around her.

Penelope would return one day.

And she would return with glory!

…

The car arrived at the Nan residence.

Upon entering, they saw Chloe Roland in the living room.

She was arguing with James Klein.

James spoke with sarcasm.

"Well, if it isn't Miss Roland."

"Weren't you looking down on collaborating with our boss not long ago?"

"What brings you here now?"

"Aren't you afraid of dirtying your precious feet?"

Chloe lowered her head.

"I… I didn't mean it before…"

"You were still rude to our boss."

"I heard you even forced her to leave Mina's wedding?"

"And threatened suicide?"

"The Roland family's standards are truly high!"

Chloe's face flushed red.

She suddenly stood up.

She bowed to James.

James was startled.

He jumped up from the sofa.

"What are you doing?"

Chloe's eyes were red.

"I failed to recognize my benefactor before. I'm sorry!"

James stammered.

"N-no, it's fine."

"I just have a sharp tongue. Don't mind me…"

Chloe nodded.

"I insulted you when you came to my house."

"I apologize for that too. I'm sorry."

"Don't mention it. It's really nothing."

"Your insults were quite pleasant to hear. You can insult me more if you like."

Chloe was stunned.

James scratched his head.

This seasoned flirt was flustered by someone so earnest for the first time.

He was at a loss.

Fortunately, Evelyn and the others returned.

He rushed over with relief.

"Boss, here's the contract with the Roland family."

"I brought it for you."

"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave!"

Before leaving, he glanced back at Chloe.

Chloe was staring at him.

Seeing him look back, she bowed again.

James scrambled away in a panic.

Evelyn was speechless.

Alexander Vance frowned upon seeing Chloe.

Didn't this girl go home a couple of days ago?

Why was she back again!

He looked warily at Evelyn.

Would they have another three-person night talk tonight?

Thankfully, Mina couldn't stay up late due to her pregnancy.

Chloe seemed nervous.

"I heard Justin has been giving you trouble."

"Now all of New York is spreading rumors that he hit you…"

"Was the family recognition banquet today successful?"

The banquet hadn't invited the Five Great Families.

Only the main Xu family members were present.

Evelyn wanted to keep a low profile.

Evelyn said it went smoothly.

Chloe breathed a sigh of relief.

"Justin isn't a big deal."

"But with things like this, I'm afraid collaborating with the Evans family will be difficult."

Chloe didn't understand why Evelyn insisted on collaborating with the Five Great Families.

But she still tried her best to help gather information.

Evelyn pressed her lips together.

Not to mention Jason bullying Grace at the Cortez Sect.

Just Justin spreading rumors that affected Mina's reputation was enough.

This feud was settled.

However…

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

"Let's not talk about the Evans family for now. My current goal is to enter the Cortez Sect."

Evelyn looked at Chloe.

"If I'm Ethan Valentine's sister, can he bring me into the Cortez Sect?"

Chloe thought for a moment.

"It should be no problem."

"You might not know Ethan's significance to the Cortez Sect."

Chloe had already inquired for her.

"Ethan is the Second Senior Brother and is dating Kiki Cortez, the Cortez leader's daughter."

"They are already engaged."

"The Xu and Cortez families have agreed that their first two children will take the Cortez surname."

"So the future Cortez Sect leader…"

"If the mysterious First Senior Sister doesn't marry someone from the Cortez Sect, Ethan will take over."

"The Cortez Sect leader must have the Cortez surname. That's the bottom line."

Evelyn nodded.

Chloe continued.

"So Ethan has a lot of say in the Cortez Sect."

"At the very least, he can have you accepted by his master and become a Core Disciple."

Evelyn relaxed.

Time quickly passed to the next day.

Evelyn and Ethan agreed to meet in front of the Cortez Sect.

Ethan saw Alexander bringing her again.

He looked like he wanted to say something but stopped.

In the end, he said nothing.

He led Evelyn inside.

"Penelope has moved out. When will you come back to stay?"

Evelyn saw his enthusiasm.

"...Sometime later."

Ethan nodded.

"I called my master yesterday. He agreed to accept you."

"He even said he would ask the leader to witness the apprenticeship ceremony today…"

Evelyn was taken aback.

"So soon? The ceremony is today?"

"Yes, but Master is only accepting you as a Registered Disciple."

"For the rest of us, the apprenticeship is very formal."

"The only exception was the First Senior Sister. The leader accepted her as a disciple outside."

Ethan felt yearning.

"Sister, you've been outside for many years. It's too late for martial arts training."

"After the apprenticeship, no need to rush. I'll guide you slowly."

"Not everyone is the First Senior Sister."

"She started training at fifteen and developed an impenetrable defense."

"The leader said I wouldn't last thirty moves against the First Senior Sister."

"Truly amazing…"

"Calculating the time, the First Senior Sister should be back by now, right?"

"Why is there still no news?"

"I'll ask the leader when I see him later…"