Evelyn Ross watched Isabella Ashcroft's disappearing figure expressionlessly.
After a moment of thought, she still followed.
She was not a soft-hearted person.
She felt no concern for Isabella.
She simply wanted to see her final outcome.
Seeing her head toward the ER, Alexander Vance immediately followed.
After a few steps, he glanced back at Mr. Valentine.
"Will you join us?"
Mr. Valentine's gaze was profound.
He glanced toward the hospital room.
He pondered for a moment before speaking.
"No. I will wait here for you."
He had been foolish earlier.
He had actually troubled the true daughter of Mrs. Ashcroft for Isabella's sake.
He needed to give an explanation.
Alexander nodded.
He said nothing more and quickly caught up to Evelyn.
Mr. Valentine glanced at Marcus Valentine.
Marcus immediately understood.
He made a gesture.
"Understood. I will follow."
"I will not let the true daughter of Mrs. Ashcroft be wronged."
…
Evelyn reached the door of the ER.
She saw a few reporters hiding in a corner, waiting for news.
She also saw Linda Lowell and Grace Lorenz.
She was wondering where the Vance family had gone.
Then she heard a loud slapping sound from the nearby stairwell.
Slap!
It was particularly sharp.
Evelyn paused her steps.
She took two steps back.
Through the glass window, she saw Richard Evans, Margaret Evans, and Julian Evans.
Robert Vance had probably slipped away earlier, feeling ashamed.
Richard was furious.
Slapping Julian once was not enough to vent his anger.
He raised his hand to strike again.
Margaret stopped him.
"Why are you hitting him? Isabella was the one who did wrong!"
Richard sneered.
"I said long ago I didn't agree to this marriage!"
"Isabella is crooked. You insisted Julian marry her."
"Now look what happened! Everything is ruined!"
Margaret cried out.
"When Mrs. Ashcroft mentioned her connections in New York, didn't you agree too?"
"Without your approval, how could Julian have gotten the marriage certificate?"
Richard glared at her.
"If I had known she was the love child, I would never have agreed!"
"In the end, it's because you were blind!"
Margaret wiped her tears.
"Who could have guessed?"
"Isabella's schemes run so deep. Not just us, you didn't see through her either!"
"Why blame only us?"
Richard laughed coldly.
"If not you, then who?"
"You've completely disgraced the main branch!"
"I thought we had finally gained an advantage over Alexander this time."
"Julian married the Ashcroft heiress."
"Alexander could only marry the love child."
"Who knew it would turn out like this!"
He patted his own face angrily.
"You've made me lose all face!"
Margaret grabbed his hand.
"Richard, don't say that."
"Julian will help you regain face. Don't be angry…"
Richard shook off her hand.
He looked at Julian.
"Him? A waste is a waste. Growing up didn't change that!"
"He can't compare to his sister at all!"
After saying this, Richard turned and went downstairs.
His heartless demeanor made Margaret cover her face and sob.
She hit Julian.
"You worked so hard to get your father to come home and live."
"Now it's all over. He definitely won't come back now!"
"Julian, why are you so unlucky?"
"Nothing you do can ever satisfy him…"
Julian's eyes were red.
He hung his head like a child who had done wrong.
He stared blankly at Margaret.
Margaret cried.
"You must work hard."
"You must surpass that love child!"
"Don't let your father look down on us!"
"...Wait, that love child seems to be coming back."
"No wonder your father always mentions his sister!"
"Julian, she's coming back. What will I do?!"
Margaret was frantic with worry.
Julian's eyes were bloodshot.
He held Margaret's hand.
"Mom, don't be afraid…"
"Even if she comes back, it's useless."
"She's just a girl. She will marry out eventually."
"I am Father's only son!"
Margaret finally calmed down.
"Yes, yes. As long as we prepare a generous dowry for that love child and marry her off…"
"You will still be your father's only son…"
"I'm going home now."
"I must protect my position."
"I absolutely cannot let that love child enter our home!"
She pulled Julian's hand.
"Come, let's go home!"
Julian followed for two steps, then stopped.
He looked conflicted toward the ER.
No matter what, Isabella was still his wife now…
"Julian? What are you doing?"
"You're not still hung up on that trash Isabella, are you?"
"Let me tell you, this kind of daughter-in-law is not welcome in the Vance family!"
Margaret shouted angrily.
Julian lowered his eyes.
"Mom, I just want to wait until her surgery is over…"
Isabella's life hung in the balance.
He was her legal guardian.
Margaret frowned and thought for a moment.
Then she sneered.
"Fine. Then you stay."
"I will have someone bring the divorce papers."
"If she lives, have her sign them."
"If she dies, it's over and done with."
After leaving these cruel words, Margaret strode away.
Julian stood alone.
His fists were clenched.
He finally pushed open the stairwell door.
As soon as he opened it, he saw Evelyn.
He froze.
His mouth opened as if he wanted to say something.
But no words came out.
He hesitated for a long time.
Finally, he spoke slowly.
"I'm sorry. I…"
Before he could finish, Evelyn walked right past him without a glance.
She went to the operating room door.
Julian stared blankly at her back.
A wave of regret flooded his chest, filling it completely.
He had given up on Evelyn because she was a love child…
He had even thought he was almost worthy of her.
He should have cherished her…
But later, upon hearing she was a love child, he had acted impulsively.
He had done so many wrong things!
Now, his heart ached terribly.
The pain made him bend over.
He tugged at the corner of his mouth, trying to smile.
But tears streamed down his face instead…
Alexander and Marcus walked past him.
Neither looked at Julian.
Marcus asked Alexander.
"Hey, is your love… your wife's father William Ashcroft?"
"Why does she look nothing like him?"