The doctor removed his mask and scanned the room with a grave expression.

"Who is the family?"

"I am!"

William Ashcroft immediately stepped forward.

He stared intently at the doctor.

"How is my wife?"

The doctor spoke calmly.

"She is out of danger."

Evelyn Ross's heart finally settled, her hands trembling uncontrollably.

"Dad!"

Isabella Ashcroft suddenly exclaimed.

Evelyn looked up and saw William Ashcroft collapse onto the floor.

He had been too tense earlier and finally relaxed now.

Isabella and Julian Evans moved to help him up.

William waved them off.

"I'm fine."

He sat on the floor, looking up at the doctor, his voice still shaking.

"Why did my wife cough up blood? Is it serious…"

"Emotional agitation caused a sudden spike in blood pressure, leading to a ruptured blood vessel. She arrived in time and is not in serious condition. But she must remain emotionally stable and avoid any further stimulation."

The doctor finished speaking and pushed open the operating room door.

Nurses wheeled out the hospital bed.

William immediately scrambled to his feet, tightly grasping Sophia Ashcroft's hand.

He buried his face in the bedsheet, tears falling.

"Sophia, you scared me to death…"

"Move her to a regular room for observation."

After the doctor's instructions, the group surrounded the bed and left.

Evelyn followed silently behind, her eyes red.

After Sophia was wheeled into the room, Isabella and Julian sharply turned to look at Evelyn.

Isabella charged over.

"Evelyn Ross, have you no shame? You made my mother like this and still dare to show up?!"

Evelyn remained silent.

Alexander Vance stepped in front of her, his voice cold.

"Isabella!"

Isabella shivered.

But she glanced at Marcus Valentine beside her and immediately said, "Uncle, even if you enforce family discipline, I must speak! If she hadn't forced her way into our home, if she hadn't insisted on seeing my mother, how could this have happened? She caused this!"

Alexander frowned.

"Silence!"

Isabella put on a pitiful expression.

Marcus果然 spoke up.

"Alexander Vance, you truly can't tell right from wrong! I've finally seen you for who you are, using your power to bully others like this!"

Alexander looked at him coldly.

"Who I am is not for you to judge."

Marcus sneered.

"But when you bully someone under my protection, it becomes my business! Alexander Vance, don't forget you're not the only one not to be trifled with here!"

He pointed angrily at the room.

"I saw everything clearly tonight. Evelyn Ross insisted on entering to show Mrs. Ashcroft some photos. Then her mistress mother shamelessly rushed in and agitated Mrs. Ashcroft. That's how this happened! As long as I'm here, you won't bully the Ashcroft family!"

Alexander finally understood why Evelyn had gone to the Ashcroft residence.

The Ashcroft family had always been a source of pain for Evelyn. She normally would never go there.

They were originally going to the Roland family to look at photos today, but she ended up taking the photos to the Ashcroft residence… There must be a reason.

But he didn't ask further. He just looked down at her.

"Evelyn, you haven't had dinner yet. Let me take you to get something to eat."

Evelyn nodded slightly.

They found a restaurant near the hospital.

Alexander ordered a bowl of porridge.

Evelyn stirred the porridge with her spoon, her eyes downcast, her whole demeanor dispirited.

Alexander remembered the first time he met her. The girl had blinked her sly peach blossom eyes and called him husband. Later, she appeared in various identities, always playful.

She was like a little sun, bursting into his life.

He had never seen the little sun so dejected.

Alexander asked softly, "What photos were you looking at tonight?"

Evelyn then noticed she was still clutching the old photo in her left hand. She looked up and handed it to Alexander.

Alexander saw the people in the photo and paused slightly. After a moment of silence, he spoke.

"Your mother, Linda Lowell, I've investigated her. She doesn't look like your uncle Leo Lowell's mother. So… this should be your grandmother."

Evelyn kept her head down, saying nothing.

Alexander continued, "Last time, when you found out you weren't William Ashcroft's daughter, Linda Lowell said she didn't know who your father was either. Looking at this woman's luxurious clothing in the photo, and Mr. Roland beside her, she should be from New York…"

He paused, then suddenly chuckled lightly.

"Evelyn, I never expected you to be a lost pearl of a wealthy family. If you get recognized, you won't look down on the Vance family for being beneath you, will you?"

Evelyn slowly looked up.

The man spoke at a gentle pace, his voice deep and magnetic, carrying a lightheartedness that gradually calmed her.

Reason slowly returned.

She was about to speak when a derisive snort came from beside them.

"Pfft, Alexander Vance, there are only a handful of families in New York that can look down on you. What a joke. Evelyn Ross is just a love child. How high could her origins possibly be?"

They turned and saw Marcus Valentine lounging lazily at the next table.

"I know everyone in New York. Show me the photo. I'm sure I'll recognize them."

He was curious about what photo had agitated Mrs. Ashcroft so much.

Alexander hesitated for a moment.

Marcus was a local of New York. Maybe he really would know…

He handed the photo over.

Before Marcus could look at it, Evelyn suddenly asked, "Has Mrs. Ashcroft woken up yet?"

Marcus replied, "Soon. The doctor said she should wake up in about half an hour."

Evelyn stood up abruptly.

Her eyes cleared, the weakness gone, and she looked at Alexander.

"Mr. Vance, Mrs. Ashcroft grabbed my hand before she fainted and told me not to leave. She must have something to say. I need her to see me the moment she wakes up."

Alexander understood her meaning and immediately said, "Alright, I'll arrange it."

Evelyn stopped eating, stood up, and walked out.

Alexander quickly followed.

Marcus frowned as he watched their retreating figures, then looked down at the photo in his hand…