Isabella Ashcroft screamed hysterically.

She knew better than anyone how formidable Sophia Ashcroft's background was.

Her mother absolutely had the ability to clean up this mess.

Just like how she dealt with the Roland family back then…

The prestigious Roland family of New York.

Even the Vance family showed them respect.

Yet Mr. Roland was deferential in Sophia's presence.

Isabella gripped the railing tightly, her voice choked with tears.

"Mom, you must have a way! Help me one last time, I'm begging you…"

Sophia watched her daughter's deranged state, a deep disappointment flashing in her eyes.

Outwardly gentle, she was tougher than anyone inside.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have made it this far.

Sophia's lips curled slightly.

Her weak legs gradually steadied.

Her trembling body calmed.

She said coldly, "Go ahead and jump then!"

Isabella was stunned.

Sophia lowered her gaze.

"Jumping from the third floor will break a leg at most."

"Even if you spend the rest of your life in a wheelchair, the Ashcroft family can afford to support you."

Isabella bit her lip hard, drawing blood.

"Mom!"

William Ashcroft was sweating profusely with anxiety.

"Sophia! Don't say things in anger! Isabella, come back inside! Let's discuss this properly!"

Sophia only laughed coldly.

"William, I failed to raise our daughter properly. This isn't your fault."

"If she covets wealth and status so much, let her jump if she wants."

William tried to dissuade her again.

But Isabella suddenly shrieked.

"You don't care if I'm crippled! But what about the baby in my womb?!"

Sophia froze instantly.

"What?"

Tears streamed down Isabella's face.

"I'm pregnant with Julian's child."

"I might survive the jump, but what about the baby?"

Sophia's jaw tightened.

Isabella wept bitterly.

"Mom, I want to marry him not just for the luxury, but for this child!"

"Please, I don't want my child to be born without a father…"

These words were like a sharp dagger, stabbing straight into Sophia's heart.

She saw her younger self in that moment…

William's eyes flickered.

He held her arm.

"Sophia, don't be so harsh on the child… Isabella is still young. She can learn from her mistakes."

Isabella knew exactly how to manipulate Sophia.

She cried even more pitifully.

"Mom, I truly know I was wrong."

"I admit I approached Julian at first because I was jealous of Evelyn. You always cared more about her…"

"But later I genuinely fell for him. I don't want to lose him."

"The gap between our family and the Vances is too wide."

"I thought Dr. Nan's identity would give me an advantage. Who knew Dr. Nan was Evelyn…"

"Julian thinks I deceived him, but I really didn't know! Evelyn tricked us all!"

"Later, Julian grew colder and colder towards me."

"I could only cling to the little I had to win him back."

"Mom, I'm not a bad person. I know I was wrong…"

William also spoke softly in persuasion.

"Sophia, Isabella is your only daughter."

"You didn't send her back to New York back then because you wanted her to have a simple, happy life."

"How can you bear to…!"

How could she bear it?

Of course she couldn't.

Sophia's clenched fists slowly relaxed.

She radiated deep exhaustion.

Her voice finally softened.

"Fine. I promise you."

Isabella was her daughter.

She couldn't just watch her die.

…

After seeing off the main branch of the family, Evelyn Ross had a relatively peaceful breakfast.

Alexander Vance went to the company in the morning to handle accumulated work.

He returned at noon to have lunch with her and Eleanor Vance.

In the afternoon, Evelyn supported Eleanor for a walk around the estate.

The Vance estate was vast.

Walking helped the elderly woman stay active and ensured she slept better at night.

As they strolled, they overheard a few servants whispering in a corner.

"The audacity. After causing such a scene, they still dare to show up…"

"Mrs. Ashcroft rarely appears in public these years. She looked deathly pale today."

"Madam refused to see them, so they just stood outside the gate."

"What if she collapses? It would be their own fault!"

"If I had a daughter like that, I'd hide in shame."

"Who knows what they were thinking, coming to the Vance family. So embarrassing…"

Evelyn paused mid-step.

She quickly walked over.

"Who are you talking about?"

"It's Mrs. Ashcroft, Isabella's mother."

"She brought Isabella to apologize. Madam refused to see them, so they're just loitering at the gate, refusing to leave."

Evelyn's pupils constricted sharply.

Mrs. Ashcroft's health was so poor. How could she endure this?

She looked urgently at Eleanor.

"Grandmother, I…"

Eleanor patted her hand.

"Go ahead if you need to. Fiona is with me. I'll be fine."

Fiona and the family doctor were following behind.

Besides, they were on Vance property.

Evelyn felt slightly reassured.

She nodded and turned, running towards the main gate!

Eleanor's residence was some distance from the main gate.

Evelyn sprinted the whole way.

It took over ten minutes to reach the entrance.

Just as she stepped out the side gate, she saw Mrs. Ashcroft supported by Isabella, coughing violently by the roadside.

This was an open road, with lawns stretching on both sides…

Mrs. Ashcroft was allergic to grass pollen.

She was coughing, her face turning bluish.

Evelyn rushed over, pulling out the medication she always carried.

"Madam, take this! Quick!"

Mrs. Ashcroft nodded, swallowing the pill with bottled water.

Her breathing gradually steadied.

Evelyn frowned.

"Madam, why are you putting yourself through this?"

She shot a cold glance at Isabella.

Isabella stood behind Mrs. Ashcroft, not bothering to hide the hatred in her eyes.

She glared fiercely at Evelyn.

"Evelyn Ross, if you truly care about my mom, put in a good word for me with Mrs. Vance!"

"Spare my mother this suffering!"

Mrs. Ashcroft spoke immediately.

"Evelyn, this has nothing to do with you. Go back inside."

But Evelyn held her arm.

"How could your affairs have nothing to do with me?"

Mrs. Ashcroft felt a warmth in her heart.

She gently patted Evelyn's hand.

Finally, she sighed.

"Evelyn, even though you are also William's daughter, Isabella's matter truly shouldn't involve you."

"Don't concern yourself. Go back."

Evelyn's breath hitched.

A sharp pain stabbed through her heart.

She was silent for a moment.

Then she suddenly looked up.

"I am not William Ashcroft's daughter."