Evelyn Ross listened to the reporters and Linda Lowell's slander, simply lowering her gaze in silence.
She had anticipated this scene today.
If she didn't relent, these accusations would follow her for life.
She was prepared.
She had even considered publicly severing ties with Linda Lowell.
Even if it meant being condemned by everyone.
But she never expected Grace Lorenz to say those words.
Her head snapped up, eyes filled with shock.
Her first reaction was disbelief.
The story of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf" had played out twice in her life already.
She dared not hope again.
Her lips parted, wanting to tell Grace not to joke…
Then she suddenly realized something.
Grace had come here to tell her the secret Liam Lowell was hiding.
Could this be the secret?
Evelyn froze once more.
How could it be…
If she wasn't William Ashcroft's daughter, did that mean Sophia Ashcroft was unfaithful in her marriage?
No, Sophia would never be that kind of person.
There must be some misunderstanding.
But none of that mattered now.
What mattered was… Sophia Ashcroft was her mother…
Mother…
The word felt warm for the very first time!
Evelyn's body trembled slightly.
She was too overwhelmed to speak.
Isabella Ashcroft and Linda Lowell both stared in stunned silence.
Linda yelled furiously, "Nonsense! How could Evelyn Ross possibly be Sophia Ashcroft's daughter? I gave birth to her!"
Isabella's face turned deathly pale.
She understood.
Liam Lowell had sold her out!
He was the one who revealed the secret!
She glared daggers at Grace Lorenz.
Julian Evans sneered, "Grace Lorenz, you're a disgrace to the public's trust in the police! Evelyn Ross is the love child! Isabella is the legitimate young mistress! That's exactly why I abandoned Evelyn in the first place! Stop spouting nonsense here!"
The reporters fell silent.
The continuous twists had left them reeling.
Their cameras focused on the small group, instincts screaming that a huge story was breaking.
Grace Lorenz smirked coldly. "Of course I have evidence!"
She picked up her phone and opened the WhatsApp chat interface.
A minute ago, a colleague had sent her the DNA report for Evelyn Ross and Sophia Ashcroft.
The police station had Evelyn's DNA on file from her previous detention.
Sophia, due to her chronic illness, had her medical information stored in the healthcare database.
The police retrieved and expedited the comparison.
Results came back in half an hour.
Grace was decisive.
Having met Evelyn, she understood the significance of this matter.
So after Liam revealed the truth, she didn't call immediately.
She, too, feared a cruel trick.
Only after obtaining the DNA test report did she make it public.
Seeing the report, everyone was stunned.
Linda jumped up and down in agitation. "Impossible! It must be forged!"
Grace Lorenz sneered. "The report bears the police department's seal. I'm not afraid of any investigation! Linda Lowell, I'm also here to inform you that someone has reported you for switching the two infants at birth. You are suspected of child trafficking charges. You will now be taken to the station for investigation!"
She pulled an arrest warrant from her pocket and displayed it to the crowd.
Linda collapsed to the floor. "No… impossible… How could you know…"
Her reaction said it all.
The reporters erupted.
"So Evelyn Ross isn't her daughter!"
"Just accused Mrs. Vance of being a love child with poor upbringing, and it turns out Isabella is the real love child?"
"Faked a miscarriage and framed Mrs. Vance… rotten to the core! What does it matter if she was raised as the legitimate young mistress? Bad blood will tell!"
Julian Evans finally understood.
He yanked his supporting hand away from Isabella and glared at her. "You're the love child?"
He felt a stinging slap of humiliation.
Isabella seemed like a stranger.
Isabella frantically waved her hands. "Julian, I didn't know… Even if Linda switched the babies, I didn't know the truth… I'm innocent…"
Linda quickly nodded. "Yes, Isabella didn't know! I never told her! I acted alone!"
All eyes focused on Isabella.
Grace Lorenz looked at her. "Isabella Ashcroft, Liam Lowell has already confessed, stating you were aware of this. He also claims he killed his father under your instigation! What do you have to say for yourself?"
…
In the corridor.
The hand Mr. Valentine III had raised to fire froze.
He frowned, an expression of disbelief on his face.
Alexander Vance breathed a sigh of relief.
This was San Francisco. He didn't want a shootout with Mr. Valentine III.
The aftermath would be too troublesome…
But… Evelyn was Sophia Ashcroft's daughter?
Though he had suspected, Alexander felt a surge of joy for Evelyn.
He looked at Mr. Valentine III mockingly. "Still planning to protect Isabella, Third Uncle?"
Mr. Valentine III clenched his fist, his brow darkening with fury.
He bypassed Alexander, stepped into the corridor, his voice icy and enraged. "Daring to play Miss Nan for a fool? I'll go kill that mother and daughter pair!"