The conference room was so silent you could hear a pin drop.
Everyone stared at James Klein in shock.
Their eyes darted between Evelyn Ross and James.
Julian Evans abruptly stood up.
"James, what nonsense are you spouting? Dr. Nan's identity is no joking matter!"
James smiled faintly.
He retrieved a document from his bag.
The patent certificate clearly displayed Evelyn Ross's name.
The official seal was distinctly visible.
Julian's face instantly turned pale.
He looked at Evelyn in disbelief.
The treasure he had abandoned was the real one all along.
He sharply turned to glare at Isabella Ashcroft.
"What exactly is going on?!"
Isabella trembled violently.
She never imagined Evelyn was Dr. Nan.
This realization felt like plunging into an icy abyss.
Linda Lowell suddenly jumped up from the floor.
She lunged at Evelyn, claws out.
"You wretched bastard! How could you possibly be Dr. Nan? Your grades were always terrible..."
Evelyn nimbly sidestepped.
Her gaze was icy.
"You know exactly why my grades were bad, don't you?"
Linda froze.
"Remember my first perfect score? Who made me kneel all night? Who forced me to turn in blank exams? Who threatened to sell me if I did well?"
Evelyn's tone was calm.
Yet every word pierced the heart.
"Controlling my score was harder than getting a perfect one. Did you know that?"
The room erupted in murmurs.
Everyone looked at Linda with contempt.
Director Brown was dumbfounded.
He never expected the mother he pitied to be so vicious.
Alexander Vance slowly rose.
His lips were pressed tight, his gaze heavy on Evelyn.
The girl spoke lightly.
But he heard the blood and tears behind her words.
He recalled Thomas Watson's investigation file.
Left home in middle school.
Worked part-time while studying.
Barely got into San Francisco University.
She never applied for aid.
Supported herself through countless jobs.
He hadn't thought much of it then.
Now his heart felt carved with a knife.
Linda showed no remorse, instead screaming curses.
"You deceitful brat! How dare you trick me! I should have made you quit school and work!"
Her face was twisted, none of her earlier pitifulness remained.
"Enough!"
Alexander's voice cut sharply through the room.
He looked at Isabella.
"Miss Ashcroft, do you have anything to say for yourself?"
Isabella panicked, her eyes pleading with Julian.
Julian's face was dark.
"Explain this to me!"
Tears streamed down Isabella's face.
"Julian, I truly didn't know... It was Aunt Linda! She did everything!"
Linda immediately chimed in.
"Yes, it was all me! Isabella knew nothing!"
She smirked at Evelyn.
"I did it to get back at you for calling the cops on me! I stole the proposal. I faked the video. What can you do? I'm your mother!"
She acted completely unafraid.
Alexander spoke coldly.
"Jason Lawrence, take Dr. Nan back to R&D."
Evelyn paused slightly.
She understood Alexander was protecting her.
She gave a slight nod and followed Jason and James out.
In the elevator, Jason kept staring blankly at Evelyn.
Even back in the office, he hadn't snapped out of it.
The team immediately crowded around.
"Team Lead, what happened?"
"Is Evelyn alright?"
Daniel Clementson was frantic.
"Don't worry, we'll all go plead with Dr. Nan..."
Amid the chatter, Jason finally found his voice.
He pointed at Evelyn, stammering.
"You... you're really... Dr. Nan?!"