The old woman was nearly ninety.

Her skin was so loose its original shape was lost.

Her thin, withered hand pressed against her chest.

Her breathing was so rapid it seemed she might stop at any moment.

William Ashcroft felt he had overthought it.

How could someone of Eleanor Vance's status come to a place like this herself…

He was afraid Isabella might be scammed by the elderly woman.

He scowled at Evelyn Ross. "Your sister meant well. Was such a big reaction necessary? Making a scene here is too embarrassing."

The little old lady immediately looked at Evelyn. "Granddaughter-in-law, is this your father?"

Evelyn lowered her eyes.

The term "father" felt very distant to her.

As a child in the Ashcroft home, Linda Lowell never let her get close to William.

She could only hide in the shadows and secretly watch him.

Watch him spin Isabella around in circles.

Watch him buy toys for Isabella.

Back then, she thought her father's figure was as tall and imposing as a mountain.

On nights when Linda hit her, scolded her, or left her hungry, she always fantasized that "Dad" would suddenly appear.

And take her away from that home.

It never happened.

Not even once.

He never showed any concern for her.

When they occasionally crossed paths, he would only say, "Listen to your mother."

The atmosphere in the Ashcroft family was strange.

Everyone had accepted Linda.

But no one was willing to accept little her.

Evelyn pressed her lips together and did not answer the old woman's question.

She picked up the few outfits she had tried on earlier.

She selected the one that was relatively suitable and handed it to the shop assistant.

She prepared to pay and leave.

Seeing this, William spoke up. "I know you're struggling. I'll pay for this outfit. Consider it a gift for your husband's grandmother."

Isabella suddenly interjected. "Dad, I looked earlier. This one is the most suitable for a gift…"

The shop assistant immediately smiled and chimed in. "The young lady has excellent taste. This is pure hand embroidery. The only one in San Francisco. Perhaps you'd like to look at something else?"

William's eyes lit up. "This one it is!"

He turned to Evelyn. "Let your sister have this outfit. You choose another one."

Evelyn's peach-blossom eyes showed no emotion. "Why should I?"

"Your sister is visiting the Vance family! This is a gift prepared for Eleanor Vance!"

"So I have to give it up?"

William scolded sternly. "What does it matter what your husband's grandmother wears? Could she possibly be more important than Eleanor Vance?"

Evelyn's attitude was firm. "No."

"Can't you be a little more sensible? Must you always compete with your sister?"

Evelyn found it ridiculous.

She had seen the outfit first.

How did it become her competing with Isabella?

William spoke again. "Fine. The outfit costs fifty thousand. I'll give you two hundred thousand. Consider it supplementing your dowry."

Isabella pretended to advise. "Evelyn, you've never had a job. You should agree quickly. Don't let pride make you miss this money and regret it later."

William issued a final threat. "Think carefully. If you insist on having this, I won't pay for it."

A true veteran of the business world.

Using both coercion and temptation just to buy an outfit for Isabella.

What a good father…

Evelyn couldn't be bothered to argue further.

She was about to take out her bank card.

The little old lady suddenly pressed her hand down. "Granddaughter-in-law, I don't want this one. It's ugly."

Evelyn looked at her. "Grandmother, the others are even less suitable."

The little old lady was stubborn. "Then we still shouldn't settle."

She had already bought all the suitable clothes for this season!

Everything left in the store was what she had picked over.

How could she possibly want any of it?

Listening to their conversation, the granddaughter-in-law's sister was buying this outfit to give to Eleanor Vance?

Eleanor Vance… that name sounded somewhat familiar…

Who was she again?

The little old lady felt a bit confused.

Evelyn didn't dare insist and went along with her. "Then we won't buy it."

William was finally satisfied. "If you had been this sensible from the start, it would have been over. If you can't afford it in the future, don't come into stores like this. Save yourself from embarrassing the Ashcroft family!"

Isabella sneered.

Putting on such an act with the old lady earlier, pretending it was real.

Turns out she still couldn't afford to buy it!

She asked the shop assistant to pack the outfit.

She smiled at Evelyn. "Thank you for giving it to me. After I marry into the Vance family, I'll arrange jobs for you and your husband."

Evelyn completely ignored her.

She prepared to leave with the old lady.

"Wait!"

William stopped her and handed her a check. "Take the two hundred thousand. I said I'd give you a dowry. Use it to subsidize your living."

Evelyn was slightly stunned. "It's not necessary."

"Think it's too little? The Ashcroft company belongs to Isabella's mother. It will only be left to her in the future. This is the most I can give you!"

William said condescendingly. "Take the money. Set up a small stall and live your life. Be content. Don't covet things that don't belong to you!"

For a moment, Evelyn had really thought William felt some fatherly love for her.

Now she just felt讽刺. "What things don't belong to me?"

"For example, shopping in malls like this. And also… seducing Mr. Vance!"

William warned. "Don't bring down the Ashcroft family with your own self-destruction! Today the shop assistant was afraid the old lady would cause trouble, so she didn't pursue it. Angering Mr. Vance isn't something that can be solved by acting shamelessly!"

Evelyn's heart turned completely cold. "Don't worry. The Ashcroft family and I have been unrelated for a long time!"

She left without looking back.

After they had walked some distance, the little old lady held her hand. "Granddaughter-in-law, your father and sister are too terrible. From now on, I'll have my grandson protect you. Let's see who dares to look down on you then!"

Evelyn felt a warmth in her heart. "Okay."

The little old lady said stubbornly. "Let them give that ugly outfit to their so-called Eleanor Vance. I don't want it!"

As soon as the words left her mouth, the old lady's phone rang.

She answered it.

A man's voice came from the other end. "Mom, come back with Alexander tonight. Julian's fiancée is visiting for the first time. It's time for the family to meet her."

The little old lady was stunned.

The haze that had been clouding her mind was suddenly pulled away!

In a flash of insight, she remembered who she was.

So she was that unlucky Eleanor Vance!

Thinking back to just being despised and mocked…

The little old lady immediately gritted her teeth and said, "I will definitely be back!"

She hung up the phone.

She sent Alexander Vance a voice message. "Grandson, I've been bullied! You must come back tonight and stand up for me!"

After sending the message, the little old lady mysteriously pulled Evelyn closer. "Granddaughter-in-law, I remembered my grandson's name!"