Identity!

Everyone turned their heads.

Their gazes landed on Alexander Vance.

Someone whispered, "Who is that?"

Another replied quietly, "Julian's uncle. The current head of the Vance family. I saw him on Bloomberg last week…"

Before the words faded, Professor Lowell stood up in surprise. "Mr. Vance?"

The Vance Group had long funded the university's labs.

As Dean of the Energy School, Professor Lowell had dealt with this business titan often.

His standing prompted the entire table to rise.

Julian and Isabella exchanged a look.

Smiles curled on their lips.

The show was about to begin.

Julian bowed respectfully. "Uncle, what brings you here?"

Alexander's gaze swept over Evelyn and Anthony.

His voice was deep. "I heard it was Professor Lowell's birthday. I was nearby and thought I'd join the celebration. Am I unwelcome?"

"Of course not!"

Julian immediately pointed to Evelyn's seat. "Uncle, please sit here."

The head seat was for Professor Lowell. The birthday host wouldn't give it up.

Alexander was too important.

Evelyn tactfully moved one seat over.

Alexander walked straight over.

He sat firmly between her and Professor Lowell.

Isabella smiled at Anthony. "Mr. Castillo, please don't stand. Have a seat."

Anthony looked at Evelyn.

After a moment's thought, he walked to her other side.

The student sitting there quickly stood and offered the seat.

Anthony sat down.

Evelyn was now sandwiched between two men.

She clearly felt the air around Alexander grow colder.

Evelyn glanced at him in confusion.

Before she could speak, Professor Lowell cut in. "Evelyn, was there some misunderstanding between you and Mr. Vance before? Is it all cleared up now?"

Evelyn paused. "It's resolved."

"Good." Professor Lowell sighed in relief.

Dr. Nan was brilliant, but she was just a researcher.

The Vances were San Francisco's richest family.

Crushing her would be effortless.

Professor Lowell turned to Alexander. "Mr. Vance, your timing is perfect. We have some experimental data to report to the Vance Group…"

He pulled Alexander into discussion.

Evelyn lost her chance to ask.

She sighed softly.

Suddenly, she felt a tug on her sleeve.

She turned.

Anthony was looking at her gently. "Miss Ross, have you remembered who I am? May I add you on WhatsApp?"

Evelyn understood now.

This man was innocently dragged into this.

Thinking he took time off from the construction site to come, she felt bad refusing.

She nodded and took out her phone.

Anthony scanned the QR code.

He sent a friend request.

Nearby, James spoke up. "Everyone saw that, right? Dr. Nan and he just added each other. They didn't know each other before!"

Sophia sneered. "Brown-noser. So eager to clear your boss's name. Will she promote you?"

James flushed with anger. "You…!"

Sophia looked at Evelyn. "Scanning a code means nothing. Anyone can put on an act."

James already believed Evelyn.

He had figured it out.

Even if she wanted a quick marriage, she wouldn't pick a construction worker.

Before he could retort, a male student chimed in. "Sophia, that's enough. You've been targeting Evelyn all day. It's too much! I also don't think Evelyn would marry a construction worker. Back in university, she didn't even care about Julian…"

He swallowed the last words.

The boy smiled awkwardly.

Julian's eyes turned gloomy.

Sophia scoffed. "She was just playing hard to get. I sat behind her at graduation. When Julian proposed to Isabella, she stared intently! It wasn't that she didn't want it. She just couldn't have it!"

Julian looked sharply at Evelyn.

So… if he had given that carefully prepared surprise to Evelyn at graduation, she would have accepted his confession?

He had pursued her for four years.

He always thought there was no hope.

That final confession was just for closure.

When he learned she was a love child, he was furious and disappointed.

All the surprises were ready.

The classmates were cooperating.

He had to turn to Isabella at the last moment.

Mixed feelings churned in Julian's chest.

So she had cared about him once!

But so what?

Her background made her unacceptable.

His mother would never let him marry a love child!

Julian took a deep breath.

His eyes regained their gloom.

Sophia chattered on. "Isabella is a wealthy heiress. She and Julian are a perfect match. Their marriage makes sense. What is Evelyn?"

James laughed scornfully. "Evelyn is my boss. She's Dr. Nan! Isn't she better than you? Would you marry a construction worker?"

Sophia was speechless.

Isabella spoke up. "Actually, I'm also curious, Evelyn. Why would you choose someone like that? When he came to our house yesterday, my father and mother were shocked…"

She emphasized her words.

Sophia took the bait. "Isabella, you said she went to your house? Why did she bring her husband to your house?"

Isabella feigned panic. "Ah… Evelyn, I'm sorry, I let it slip…"

Evelyn's body tensed instantly.

Alexander's eyes darkened.

He was about to speak.

But Evelyn gently held his hand under the table.

Alexander froze.

He saw Evelyn slowly raise her head.

Her back was straight.

Her eyes shifted from confusion to determination.

This identity had always been a thorn in her heart.

But she knew she had to face it.

Evelyn spoke clearly, word by word. "Because I am the Ashcroft family's love child."