Sophia Ashcroft's pupils constricted sharply.

She stared fixedly at Evelyn Ross's retreating back, her lips trembling. "...Evelyn!"

Evelyn, about to leave, paused and turned back in confusion.

Sophia trembled all over, her eyes reddening.

Countless memory fragments surged violently.

That small figure hiding in the corner, stealing glances at her.

Every time, she had seen it…

But for Isabella's sake, and because of Evelyn's special status, she had never approached.

She had witnessed Linda Lowell's abuse too many times, hardening her heart each time, only intervening when life was at risk.

She had always felt an inexplicable fondness for Evelyn, thinking it was because William was good to Isabella, so she should be good to William's daughter…

Yet she always restrained this kindness, afraid Isabella would be jealous, afraid Isabella would be hurt.

So, Evelyn was her real daughter!

At this moment, every image of Linda abusing Evelyn flashed through her mind…

Newborn Evelyn nearly starved to death in her room. It was Sophia who found her in time and fed her a few mouthfuls of milk…

The tiny infant grasped her finger, its softness melting her heart.

From then on, she could no longer resent this child.

Linda had pretended to be meek and submissive, saying she had no milk due to poor nutrition and the child was allergic to formula.

Sophia believed her and even bought goat milk formula.

Later, Evelyn was always thin and small, rummaging for food in trash bins. William told her not to bother with this love child. Unable to bear it, she gave Evelyn the leftover cake from Isabella.

Then she started regularly leaving snacks on the stone table in the park.

Evelyn grew up on those snacks!

Isabella attended an international bilingual kindergarten at age three. Every time Sophia saw her off to the car, she could feel a pair of longing eyes watching them from behind the half-window in the basement.

She paid no attention…

It wasn't until Isabella started elementary school that she casually enrolled Evelyn.

From then on, Linda began daily lectures, ordering Evelyn to be Isabella's follower, saying she must repay the Ashcroft family's kindness.

Sophia never wanted repayment. She helped Evelyn only because she felt sorry for the child.

She also always believed she had done more than enough for Evelyn.

In between educating Isabella, she would say a few extra words to Evelyn, discovering the child was exceptionally smart.

She remembered in first grade, Evelyn scored first in the grade but dared not speak up, holding her report card.

Isabella saw it and cried with jealousy, asking, "Mom, am I worse than a love child?"

She only told Isabella to work harder herself.

Later, seeing Linda whip Evelyn, shouting she must never score first again, Sophia clearly wanted to stop it. But thinking of Isabella's tear-streaked face, she held back.

Then later…

When Evelyn wanted to move out for middle school, she actually agreed.

She didn't want Evelyn to stay here anymore, making her feel both heartache and helplessness. Their natural opposing statuses made her unsure how to face Evelyn.

And then?

After Evelyn left, she had more worries.

She didn't understand why the child's departure affected her so much, only hoping she would come back to visit someday.

Even in dreams those years, Evelyn called out "Mom" to her…

All these years, she had no news of Evelyn.

She wanted to send someone to inquire, but feared Isabella's jealousy and tantrums, so she restrained herself…

Every time she asked Linda, the answer was, "That ungrateful wretch, why bother with her?"

Sophia could never understand why Linda treated Evelyn so poorly.

When Evelyn was four, she was taken by traffickers. Linda said, "Just a girl. If she's lost, she's lost. Not worth much."

She was cold-blooded and selfish!

Only now did Sophia understand. How could there truly be a mother in this world who hates her own child?!

Linda was cruel to her because Linda wasn't her mother!

She herself was!

Thinking of this, Sophia's eyes burned red!!

Evelyn noticed her agitation and stepped forward puzzled. "Madam, what's wrong? Do you have something to say?"

Something to say?

Sophia felt she had a thousand things to say. She wanted to say sorry for turning a blind eye to her past suffering. She wanted to say it was her negligence that made Evelyn endure so much hardship…

All words finally choked in her throat.

Just then, there was movement at the door.

Linda entered, still meek and submissive, but showing disgust upon seeing Evelyn. "You little wretch! Who let you into the Ashcroft house? Here to pester young master Julian again? Let me tell you, Miss Isabella is the Ashcroft family's young lady! You, a love child, are nothing! Don't think marrying into the Vance family gives you free rein! You'll never repay the debt of raising you in this lifetime!"

Linda's words made Sophia shake with rage.

Her ears filled with the scoldings Linda had hurled at Evelyn over the years, which she had occasionally overheard:

"You're just a love child! Know your place! Miss Isabella is your benefactor! You must always bow and scrape before her!"

"You little wretch! How dare you glare at Miss Isabella? You and her are worlds apart!"

"Miss Isabella was born a lofty fairy! You? You only deserve to live in the basement! In the gutter!"

"…"

Sophia felt fury burning through her. She looked at Linda as if she wanted to devour her!

Linda had switched their daughters.

Yet she had placed Isabella high on a pedestal, pampering and spoiling her since childhood.

But what about her Evelyn?!

Her Evelyn was in hell! A hell she and Linda had built together! A hell Evelyn could never escape!

Sophia closed her eyes deeply.

She tried to calm her breathing…

Evelyn, watching her strange behavior, asked softly, "Madam, what is really wrong with you?"

William roared, "Linda Lowell! Who let you in? If you've upset Ashbook, I'll make you pay! Get out now, take your disgraceful daughter with you! Ashbook, how are you feeling?"

Linda lowered her head and went to pull at Evelyn. "What are you doing here again? Making your father angry, getting me thrown out too… You ungrateful wretch! Can't ever help, just cause me trouble!"

Evelyn's face tightened.

She gave a bitter smile.

Yes, what right did she have to be here?

She turned silently, ready to leave with Linda. But as she turned, someone grasped her arm.

Evelyn started slightly and looked back to find it was Sophia.

Sophia had opened her eyes now. Tears fell before she could speak…

Two unstoppable streams rolled down her cheeks. Trembling, she clutched Evelyn's hand tightly. "Evelyn, don't go!…"