Alexander Vance stood behind her, having arrived at some unnoticed moment.

The night softened the sharpness he carried by day.

Only gentleness remained in his features.

He looked at her deeply, his voice low.

"Why are you out here alone? Aren't you cold?"

Evelyn's nose tingled with emotion.

Seeing him, all her pent-up grievances surged forth.

Her eyes grew hot.

She blinked hard, trying to force back the tears…

He suddenly pulled her into his embrace.

The warmth of his chest seeped through the fabric.

It slowly thawed her frozen body…

Somehow, every time she was sad or down, he always appeared at just the right moment.

Evelyn's emotions gradually settled.

She gently pushed him away.

"We should go back."

"Mm." The corner of Alexander's mouth lifted slightly.

"Grandmother is having people look for you everywhere. She can't wait to announce our relationship."

He took Evelyn's hand.

Suddenly, he looked at her seriously.

"Miss Ross, you know what announcing our relationship means, right?"

His intense gaze made her heartbeat quicken.

She asked, playing dumb.

"What does it mean?"

Alexander didn't spell it out.

He just said solemnly, "The marriage of the Vance Group CEO must be stable. Otherwise, it affects the company's stock price. So… once it's announced, we are husband and wife for life."

Evelyn was about to joke that it was a coincidence, her company was going public too…

But he seemed to see through her thoughts.

His voice suddenly dropped, low and magnetic.

He spoke first, word by word.

"Miss Ross, you know the situation with the Vance family. The road ahead is full of variables. I might be expelled from the Vance Group. I could end up with nothing. Knowing that, are you still willing to spend the rest of your life with me?"

Evelyn was stunned.

His words were realistic.

They carried a barely perceptible anxiety.

As if he was uncertain of her answer.

Evelyn tilted her head and smiled.

"If you really end up penniless… well, I'll support you then."

Alexander was taken aback.

Then he chuckled softly.

He had other arrangements beyond the Vance Group…

His words were just a warning about the difficult road ahead.

He hadn't expected this response.

This girl always surprised him.

From their first meeting.

To every subsequent encounter.

Somewhere along the way, he had fallen for her…

Maybe it was her quirky way of changing identities to get close to him.

Maybe it was her stubborn eyes when threatened by Julian Evans.

Maybe it was the confident curve of her lips.

Or maybe it was that inexplicable sense of familiarity the first time he saw her.

He remembered going to the Ashcroft residence to propose.

As soon as he entered, he glimpsed a girl quietly watching him from the shadows in a corner.

Her eyes were clear.

Holding only pure curiosity and assessment.

She thought she was hidden in the darkness.

But the shadows couldn't conceal the light she carried…

This was probably love at first sight.

That grew deeper with time.

Everything was just right.

Alexander looked down at her gently.

He said softly, "Alright. Then you'll have to work hard to earn money. My expenses aren't small."

"…No problem."

Only after replying did Evelyn realize.

At some point, Alexander had already interlaced his fingers with hers.

She paused slightly.

She was used to walking alone.

It wasn't that she hadn't thought about finding a partner.

Suitors had never been lacking.

But she never felt she needed to rely on anyone.

Now, however, she felt it was good to have him by her side.

A phrase suddenly surfaced in her mind.

To hold your hand, and grow old with you.

Hand in hand, they walked towards the banquet hall.

Their steps were firm.

They smiled at each other.

Side by side, they stepped through the back door.

At the same time, Sophia and William Ashcroft entered through the front hall.

They were looking for her everywhere.

Evelyn Ross followed Alexander Vance through the back entrance of the banquet hall.

She was about to head toward the main hall.

A maid suddenly rushed over from the side.

The maid's tray was filled with glasses of red wine.

She stumbled, about to crash into Evelyn.

Evelyn instinctively raised her arm to block.

Her waist was suddenly pulled tight.

Alexander shielded her behind him.

The sound of shattering glass echoed.

Red wine splashed across his white dress shirt.

A deep red stain quickly spread.

"Mr. Vance, Miss Ross, I'm so sorry..." The maid apologized in a panicked, trembling voice.

Evelyn looked up at the man in front of her.

She had always faced storms alone.

But now, someone was shielding her.

Alexander carefully checked if she was injured.

He sighed with relief after confirming she was unharmed.

He frowned at the wet, sticky feeling of his shirt.

He said sternly to the maid, "Be more careful. Don't bump into guests."

"Yes, yes..."

The maid hurriedly knelt to clean up the mess.

Alexander turned to Evelyn. "I'm going upstairs to change. Please stay with Grandma for now."

He couldn't reveal their relationship looking so disheveled.

"Alright."

Evelyn watched him go upstairs, then walked into the main hall alone.

The back door led to a lounge area.

Julian Evans's high school friends were gathered there chatting.

It was the same group as last time.

Isabella Ashcroft had been unable to find a job since being fired.

Her face was dark, her tone sharp. "I just saw Mrs. Vance. Evelyn was lying last time! She's clearly Mr. Vance's mistress! How shameless!"

James Klein tried to defend her. "There must be some misunderstanding..."

"What misunderstanding could there be?" Isabella sneered. "Mr. Vance himself said he was her man that day! Just wait until Mr. Vance and Mrs. Vance make their announcement. See how you explain it then!"

James was speechless.

Evelyn didn't approach them.

She looked toward where Mrs. Eleanor Vance usually sat.

The matriarch wasn't there. She might have gone to the restroom.

Evelyn stood waiting.

A commotion suddenly arose at the entrance.

Evelyn turned and saw Linda Lowell had slipped inside.

Linda was dressed plainly, standing out sharply among the glamorous crowd.

Guests whispered among themselves. "Who is that?"

Evelyn frowned, knowing Linda was there for her.

She moved to intercept her mother.

But Isabella was faster. "Aunt Linda, are you here to see Evelyn?"

Her voice was loud, drawing everyone's attention.

Linda put on a smile. "No, I'm here to see the lady of the Vance house..."

Isabella's gaze swept over Evelyn. She pointed at Sophia Watson, raising her voice. "That's Mrs. Vance, the current lady of the house. What did you need to see her about?"

Linda immediately scurried over to Sophia.

She bowed obsequiously, her eyes darting. She announced loudly, "Mrs. Vance, I'm Evelyn's mother... My daughter was slept with by Mr. Vance. He can't just get away with that, can he? I'm here to demand an explanation!"

Sophia recoiled as if frightened, like a startled deer.

Linda grabbed her wrist. "Don't go, Mrs. Vance! Let's discuss how you and Evelyn should get along from now on..."

Sophia's eyes welled up with tears. She looked terrified, unable to speak.

Isabella stepped forward and scolded, "Let go of her! Or I'll call security!"

Linda顺势 sat down on the floor. "I don't care! My daughter can't be taken advantage of for nothing! Mrs. Vance, you and my daughter will be like sisters. You should get along harmoniously..."

Sophia trembled, saying nothing.

Isabella said angrily, "Evelyn is already married!"

Linda slapped the floor. "Exactly! My daughter is married, yet she's living ambiguously at the Vance residence. What kind of situation is that? I demand an explanation!"

Isabella declared righteously, "What explanation does a mistress deserve?"

Linda was here today specifically to humiliate Evelyn.

She shouted loudly, "What's wrong with being a mistress? Mistresses are people too! The law doesn't forbid being a mistress! You should learn from Mrs. Ashcroft. She raised me and my daughter in the Ashcroft home and got along with us harmoniously..."

Evelyn listened from a distance, a mocking smile touching her lips.

Isabella must have sent Linda here.

Back at the Ashcroft house, Linda always told her to yield to Isabella.

Evelyn thought it was out of maternal guilt.

But why did her mother hate her so much?

Why try to ruin her reputation?

Was this really her birth mother?

Isabella immediately pointed at her. "Evelyn, so this is why you've been clinging to the Vance family?"

All attention instantly shifted to Evelyn.

Guests cast scornful looks her way.

"My god, how shameless! I've never seen such an arrogant mistress. Sisters? Is this the olden days?"

"Didn't you hear Isabella? Her mother was a mistress, and now she's a mistress too. It runs in the family!"

"I heard she was just confronting Mrs. Vance backstage, bullying her because her family isn't here! How did the Ashcrofts raise such an illegitimate daughter!"

"This is ridiculous!"

...

Chloe Roland was furious. She stepped forward. "Stop talking nonsense! My benefactor... Evelyn would never do such a thing! She stays at the Vance residence because Mrs. Eleanor Vance likes her. It has nothing to do with Mr. Vance! Their relationship is pure!"

Evelyn's expression remained calm.

These accusations couldn't hurt her.

She couldn't be bothered to refute them.

Alexander must have preparations if he plans to go public.

Before she could finish the thought, a large projection screen began descending slowly in the center of the hall—