Evelyn looked at the man across from her.

She opened her mouth, then paused.

A slight smile touched her lips. "Handsome Uncle, some things are hard to say to someone you know."

"But easier to share with a stranger."

"How about we agree not to ask about each other's private matters?"

Mr. Valentine laughed heartily.

This young woman was exactly his type.

"Deal."

Neither of them were talkative people.

But during the meal, they moved with surprising harmony.

Their chopsticks reached for the same piece of lotus root stuffed with sticky rice at the same moment.

After the meal, Mr. Valentine wiped his mouth. "You treated me to dinner. I must return the favor."

"Of course," Evelyn said with a smile.

"In two days," Mr. Valentine said, looking at her. "I return to New York in two days."

"Right here. Let me host a farewell dinner for your whole family?"

"I'd like to meet your mother as well."

Evelyn nodded. "That works!"

Sophia was always easygoing.

Evelyn knew she would agree.

"See you then, Handsome Uncle."

Evelyn paid the bill and left.

She hailed a taxi and got in.

Mr. Valentine remained seated for a while.

A low chuckle escaped him.

If Marcus had been there, he would have been shocked.

In twenty years, Mr. Valentine had smiled only a handful of times.

He looked at the table.

Remembering the effortless enjoyment of their shared meal.

Finally, he rose and left with clear reluctance.

Back at the hotel.

Marcus was working while eating takeout.

Mr. Valentine walked past him.

Then suddenly turned back.

The girl's face, so like her mother's, came to mind.

"Your father, or your second uncle," he asked. "Does either of them have a love child out there?"

Marcus nearly choked on his food. "Uncle, are you joking?"

"I met a young woman today. She looks very much like your grandmother."

Marcus scoffed. "Lots of people look alike. You're overthinking it, Uncle."

"Maybe you should consider if you have any romantic debts yourself?"

Mr. Valentine fell silent.

...

Evelyn did not return to the Vance residence.

She took a taxi to the Ashcroft home.

She hadn't seen Sophia all day.

She missed her terribly.

Standing once more at the Ashcroft gate.

The feeling was entirely different.

It used to feel like hell.

Now it felt like home.

Because her mother was here.

Evelyn pushed the door open.

And stopped in surprise.

The courtyard was cluttered with piles of items.

Many packed boxes were being sorted by the housekeepers.

The maids saw her and immediately smiled. "Good evening, Miss Evelyn!"

A warmth spread through Evelyn's heart.

She quickly moved past them.

Entering the living room.

Sophia was sitting on the sofa, looking over blueprints.

Her eyes lit up when she saw Evelyn. "Evelyn, come here…"

Evelyn moved closer.

She saw the renovation plans. "I had Isabella's room demolished."

"We'll redecorate it to your taste. So you can bring Alexander back to stay sometimes."

Evelyn's eyes stung.

When she'd dropped Sophia off that morning.

She had glanced upstairs.

Isabella's presence was everywhere.

She had quickly pushed the thought away.

But Sophia had understood.

She hugged Sophia's arm. "Mom, you're the best! I love these plans!"

Sophia patted her head. "Silly child, this is what I owe you… What did you have for dinner?"

Evelyn smiled. "I met an interesting handsome uncle. I treated him to a meal."

"He said he'll treat us in two days. Mom, you'll come, right?"

"Of course," Sophia agreed without hesitation.

She added, "The basement where you lived with Linda… I had that demolished too."

"There might be your things inside. Let's go check, so they don't get thrown out…"

Evelyn nodded.

They walked toward the basement.

The semi-basement was dark and cramped.

Only four square meters.

Besides a small bed, it could fit nothing else.

Linda later moved to the maid's quarters.

Leaving only Evelyn here.

She went to the bedside.

Pulled out a cardboard box.

When she left the Ashcroft home back then.

Linda hadn't allowed her to take anything.

So all these were left behind.

Sophia watched her treasure the box.

She opened it with a smile.

But froze when she saw the contents.

They were all gifts she had given Evelyn.

A doll that had been cut open and stitched back together. Given at age three.

A white dress torn to shreds. Secretly given for her thirteenth birthday.

A phone shattered to pieces. Given when she left the Ashcroft home…

Isabella had been terrible as a child.

Anything she gave Evelyn would be destroyed.

Linda would then punish Evelyn.

Sophia knew all this.

But every time she scolded Isabella, Isabella would cry.

Saying she was afraid Sophia would divide her love with Evelyn.

Eventually, Sophia stopped giving gifts.

Afraid of causing more harm.

Tears fell from Sophia's eyes. "Evelyn, do you hate me?"

"Not at all!" Evelyn smiled. "Mom, you know what? I'm glad Linda never named me."

"Later, at the police station, they let me choose my own name. I secretly put your surname in it."

"Actually, when I was little, I always wanted to sing for you…"

Sophia's eyes reddened further.

She gripped Evelyn's hand tightly. "Evelyn, let's throw all these away."

"Mom will make up for every birthday gift from age one until now!"

Those broken things, better not to keep them.

Evelyn understood her feelings.

She nodded. "These can all be thrown away. Except for one thing…"

She rummaged in the box.

Pulled out a jade thumb ring.

Sophia was surprised. "What's this?"

The jade was of excellent quality.

Extremely valuable.

Evelyn explained, "A big brother gave it to me."

When they were separated after being trafficked as children.

The big brother gave her this jade ring.

Saying, "If life becomes unbearable, bring this to find me. I'm in Sunset Village, Cloud Town."

Evelyn had always remembered that place.

It was her only hope when she was near death.

She took out a red cord.

Strung the ring on it and hung it around her neck.

Pointing to the things in the room, she said, "The rest can be thrown away."

William had gone to his study after Evelyn arrived.

They were not father and daughter.

The relationship was awkward.

Evelyn stayed downstairs with Sophia, discussing the renovations.

She carefully planned her future home.

Until night grew deep.

Sophia urged her to go home.

Evelyn left reluctantly.

But saw Alexander's Bentley parked outside.

Evelyn paused in surprise.

She walked over.

Alexander got out and opened the door for her. "I knew you were here. Came to take you home."

Evelyn smiled.

Alexander said softly, "I'm sorry about tonight…"

"It's fine," Evelyn interrupted him.

Alexander pressed his lips together.

His jaw tightened.

They got into the car.

Alexander stared stiffly ahead.

He had just come from the hospital.

Sophia Watson held a fruit knife to her carotid artery.

Yelling at the doctors, "Don't come closer! I only want Alexander!"

When he arrived.

Sophia Watson looked at him. "Alexander, you promised to marry me!"

"Marrying you is my greatest hope! My only reason to live!"

"Go home now and divorce that woman! Or I'll kill myself!"

She stabbed the knife into her neck.

With real force.

Alexander had thought she was faking before.

Using childhood memories to emotionally blackmail him.

But he had consulted many psychiatrists.

They almost unanimously concluded she wasn't lying.

Her only reason to live was him.

Alexander felt the air in the car was stifling.

He loosened his tie.

Clenched his fist.

The promise from childhood weighed heavily on his heart.

He had a wife.

He couldn't marry her.

Alexander took a deep breath.

Looked at Evelyn. "Why did you suddenly go back to the Ashcroft home?"

Evelyn instinctively touched her neck. "To get some things."

Her movement made Alexander notice the new item around her neck.

He couldn't help asking, "What is it? Hiding it so preciously…"