Evelyn put down her phone and looked at Alexander.

He was dressed casually today.

But she noticed he wore a crisp, new white shirt and a jacket she hadn't seen before.

His tall frame was accentuated by the well-tailored suit, making his long legs appear even straighter and more slender.

He looked handsome and distinguished.

Evelyn wore a simple beige sweater and light blue jeans, appearing fresh and natural.

Standing side by side, they made a perfect match.

The gifts Alexander prepared had already been loaded into the car by Thomas.

Thomas walked in and reported, "Mr. Vance, Miss Ross, the gifts are all loaded. We can leave now."

They nodded and headed toward the parking lot.

Eleanor waved happily behind them. "Fiona, look how perfect this young couple is! I can already imagine how adorable my great-grandchild will be!"

Evelyn, who had just stepped out the door, nearly tripped over the threshold.

They had just made progress, and the old lady was already thinking about great-grandchildren?

She gave Alexander a helpless look.

The tips of his ears turned slightly red.

They got into the Bentley, and the car slowly drove off.

Evelyn wasn't concerned about the gifts but reminded him, "Sophia treats everyone equally, regardless of background. If she speaks directly later, please don't mind."

Alexander chuckled softly. "Miss Ross, you seem to have some misconceptions about me."

Evelyn raised an eyebrow.

Alexander said seriously, "I always respect my elders. My upbringing would never allow me to be rude."

Evelyn suddenly smiled. "Is that so? But I remember someone who refused to believe we were married and had security throw me out several times?"

"..."

Alexander was speechless. He explained quietly, "I didn't know you then, I..."

"I'm just joking," Evelyn interrupted with a laugh.

Thomas curiously interjected, "Miss Ross, it really wasn't Mr. Vance's fault. Getting married without both parties present was just too strange... But I remember you had several part-time jobs back then?"

Evelyn nodded. "I had to support myself after moving out of the Ashcroft house in middle school."

Thomas looked surprised. "You weren't even an adult then?"

"Yeah, I could only do odd jobs and manual labor."

Evelyn gazed into the distance, as if recalling those days. "Actually, that time felt very free."

No constraints of being a love child, no nagging from Linda, no pressure from Isabella...

Though poor and lonely, those were her most carefree days.

Thomas sighed. "That must have been tough."

"It was alright," Evelyn said calmly.

She wasn't downplaying the hardship. She truly found it fulfilling.

Starting with various odd jobs, she slowly built her company. After becoming Dr. Nan, she handed those ventures over to James.

She still owned a repair shop, a private kitchen, a courier company... and even a construction crew.

She had literally moved bricks!

Evelyn turned to look out the window.

The weather had turned cooler, and a light rain began to fall.

San Francisco winters never saw snow, only cold, damp rain.

The car moved steadily forward.

Evelyn suddenly noticed a construction worker by a site.

He wore a yellow hardhat and dirty work clothes, his face speckled with mud.

He looked helplessly at the rain, using worn gloves to shield his head as if preparing to dash to the convenience store across the street.

Evelyn remembered her first job.

It was on a rainy day just like this.

She couldn't afford a taxi and ran home in the rain, soaked to the bone.

How she wished someone had offered her an umbrella then...

"Pull over, please," Evelyn said suddenly.

Though puzzled, the driver pulled to the curb.

Evelyn picked up the blue umbrella at her feet, got out, and ran to the worker.

She pressed the umbrella into his hand.

The worker was stunned, his grimy face breaking into a surprised smile.

His accent was a bit unusual. "Thank you! Thank you so much!"

Evelyn waved it off and ran back to the car.

"Let's go."

The car started moving again.

Evelyn smiled slightly.

That umbrella felt like a gift to her younger, helpless self.

She didn't notice that just after their car turned the corner, a luxury vehicle pulled over.

Two bodyguards in black got out under black umbrellas.

They approached the dirty worker. "Sorry, sir. Traffic delayed us. How was the site inspection?"

The man looked at the blue umbrella in his hand and smiled. "As the Chinese say, quite fruitful!"

He carefully put the umbrella away and got into the car, not minding the dirty seats.

"Find out where that Bentley ahead is going."

"Yes, sir."

...

Evelyn had no idea the man she casually helped was a real estate tycoon.

Their car was already approaching the Ashcroft residence, just one turn away.

At the Ashcroft house.

Sophia estimated the time and came to the entrance with William, Isabella, and Julian.

They prepared to welcome Evelyn and her husband.

William was displeased. "Sophia, you're being too formal. Why make such a fuss for juniors visiting?"

Sophia frowned. "We should treat people based on character, not status."

As they spoke, a car stopped in front of the Ashcroft house.

Sophia stepped forward happily. "Evelyn, you're here! And your husband is...?"

The next moment, everyone froze.