Evelyn Ross looked up sharply.

She thought she heard something.

Elder Howard Vance waved them off.

The car started and drove away.

Coincidentally, the courier delivering Evelyn's jade thumb ring was delayed while eating in the rest area.

He ended up right behind Elder Howard's car.

The two vehicles traveled one after the other toward Sunset Village.

…

The Vance Residence.

The smile vanished from Eleanor Vance's face the moment Elder Howard left.

She looked at Evelyn and frowned. "Has that rascal gone back to the hospital again?"

Evelyn paused, then smiled. "No, Grandma, you—"

"Don't make excuses for him!" Eleanor said coldly. "That boy has always been too loyal. What else could he possibly be hung up on? Fiona said you left in a hurry this morning. Evelyn, tell me. What is Sophia Watson scheming now?"

Evelyn sighed. "Grandma…"

Eleanor was truly angry. "Evelyn, don't try to smooth things over for him. You don't need to be some perfect, understanding wife! When I arranged your marriage, it wasn't so you could be mistreated, and certainly not so you'd push your husband toward another woman. I won't have you swallowing your pride!"

She turned directly to Fiona. "Prepare the car. I'm going to the psychiatric hospital to see what tricks that little schemer is playing!"

Evelyn gripped her arm tightly. "Grandma…"

Eleanor turned back. She heard Evelyn speak softly. "Sophia Watson jumped off a building."

…

Even someone as unflappable as Eleanor was stunned by this news.

She was silent for a long time. "Did she really jump? Or was it just a ploy to scare that foolish boy? Some women's tactics…"

"She really jumped."

Eleanor could easily verify this, so Evelyn told the truth. "She almost died. She's still in critical condition."

Eleanor's brow was deeply furrowed. She was silent for a long while. "How could this happen? What could possibly be so unbearable?"

Both Evelyn and Eleanor were strong-willed women.

They couldn't comprehend Sophia's choice.

Evelyn didn't want to gossip. She helped Eleanor walk back into the house.

Neither noticed Richard Evans stepping out from around a corner.

He stared at their retreating backs, his eyes gleaming.

He went to a secluded spot and called Cecilia Evans. "Cecilia, you were right! Alexander's unattainable love has caused a huge scene. She jumped off a building!"

Richard expected his daughter to be shocked by the major news.

Instead, Cecilia replied calmly, "I already knew, Dad."

Richard was taken aback. "What?"

Cecilia said, "I had people watching Sophia Watson since yesterday. Uncle Alexander is at the hospital with her right now.