Marcus Valentine observed his uncle’s expression and spoke cautiously. “Uncle, since Mrs. Sophia doesn’t wish to see you, perhaps you should return for now. She’s emotionally unstable. Your presence might only upset her further.”

The Third Master shot him a cold glance.

Marcus immediately realized his mistake and cleared his throat. “You mentioned something felt off earlier. What exactly seems wrong?”

The Third Master lowered his gaze. “Ms. Sophia has always been strong-willed. Her daughter was murdered, and the killer remains at large. Why would she ask me to leave? When she sent that message, I found it strange. Given her character, she should have asked for my help in tracking down the culprit.”

Sophia Ashcroft was never a weak woman.

Even with her poor health and frequent fainting spells, her inner resilience remained unshaken.

Marcus looked puzzled. “Then why not just go in and ask her directly?”

The Third Master gave him another sharp look.

Marcus’s eyes widened in realization. “No way? Uncle, you fear nothing, yet you’re actually afraid of making Mrs. Sophia angry?”

The Third Master fell silent.

He seriously considered throwing his nephew out at that moment.

He was indeed concerned that this might be Sophia’s genuine wish. Barging in could risk alienating her further.

The Third Master sighed and glanced at his phone.

There had been no reply to his message.

It reminded him of the last time he had stood someone up. He had been preoccupied accompanying Sophia to the coast to search for someone. Amid the tense wait during the salvage operation, he had suddenly remembered his prior engagement and sent a hurried apology.

That young friend had never responded either.

He had assumed she was upset with him. But when they met later at the Vance family’s memorial service, she hadn’t seemed to hold any grudge.

The Third Master couldn’t quite figure it out. However, an idea soon came to him. He directly messaged “Zack Davis”: 【Where are you staying?】

Zack replied immediately: 【The Four Seasons Hotel, Third Master. Is there something you need?】

The Third Master: 【I’ll come find you. I’d like to treat your entire family to dinner tonight.】

It would serve as an apology for last time’s cancellation.

…

After visiting Mrs. Sophia, Evelyn Ross gave James Klein several directives, emphasizing the urgency of finding the killer.

As they parted, James asked, “Boss, when do you plan to resume your true identity?”

Evelyn frowned. “After we find the killer.”

Only by identifying the murderer and their motive, ensuring all was safe, could she return to living as herself.

Evelyn headed to the Four Seasons Hotel.

She had just located the room where Zack and the others were staying when she found Zack and his mother excitedly picking out clothes. Mrs. Davis was even holding up a little dress for Chloe, meticulously planning her outfit.

Seeing Evelyn, Zack lifted his chin. “Good, you’re back. Change into something more formal. Don’t embarrass me tonight.”

Evelyn paused slightly. “Dinner?”

Zack’s face lit up with excitement. “Yes! The Third Master and I hit it off. He’s treating us to dinner tonight! Do you even know who the Third Master is? He’s the head of the Valentine family, one of the five great elite families of New York!”

Mrs. Davis chimed in with flattery. “Son, you’re truly remarkable. You said coming to San Francisco might lead to meeting important people, and you actually connected with someone! The Valentine family of New York! We usually only see figures like that in financial magazines. He must see great potential in you!”

Hearing the name ‘Third Master,’ Evelyn was momentarily taken aback.

The Third Master had tried to meet her several times before, but she had always put him off. Ironically, now that she had assumed Grace Nan’s identity, the opportunity had arisen.

But how could someone of Zack’s caliber possibly have impressed the Third Master?

She glanced at Zack. With his refined and scholarly appearance, he certainly had a pleasing exterior—no wonder he had managed to deceive Grace Nan.

Inside, however, he was utterly useless!

Evelyn’s look of disdain made Zack snort. “I told you I have a talent for business. Today, I discussed economic trends with the Third Master, and he listened patiently. Now he’s invited us to dinner. He must appreciate my insights!... Hurry up, don’t waste time. We can’t keep the Third Master waiting.”

Evelyn said nothing more.

Since she had decided to use Grace Nan’s identity to investigate her sister’s death, she would play along for now.

She lowered her head and went inside to change into a appropriate wool coat.

She then entered the bathroom to carefully wash the iodine from her face…

Although the stain wouldn’t fade completely immediately, it at least looked less yellow and unsightly than during the day.

After changing, the group headed downstairs.

Zack started the car, setting the navigation for “Le Jardin Secret.”

Mrs. Davis asked, “What kind of place is Le Jardin Secret?”

Zack said proudly, “It’s a famous private dining club in San Francisco. Rumor has it the owner is Mrs. Vance. It’s incredibly hard to get a reservation! The city’s elite all dine there. The fact that the Third Master is hosting us there shows how highly he thinks of me!”

Mrs. Davis shot a glare at Evelyn. “Son, I always knew you’d go far. You were the most outstanding in our village. It’s a shame you became a live-in son-in-law for Grace! That title doesn’t sound good. Grace, from now on, tell everyone you married into our family! And that little burden—change her surname to Davis as soon as we return to New York, or I won’t acknowledge her as my granddaughter!”

Zack added, “Changing a girl’s surname isn’t that important. Grace, when we get back to New York, transfer the company shares and legal representative status to me. Also, add my name to the property deed…”

Evelyn sneered inwardly but remained silent.

Since she was using her sister’s identity, she would reclaim everything that rightfully belonged to her sister.

But for now, she couldn’t be bothered to argue.

Mrs. Davis, seeing her lack of response, grew angry. “What’s your attitude? Right now, you’re eating off Zack, living off Zack, even getting to dine at Le Jardin Secret is thanks to him! You will make those changes when we get back, understand?”

Evelyn’s eyes turned cold. Zack cut in, “Alright, Mom, that’s enough. We’re here.”

Mrs. Davis glared fiercely at her. “Hold that little burden properly. Behave well later. Don’t get dazzled by the wealth and embarrass my son, or you’ll answer to me when we get home!”

After parking the car, they had just gotten out when someone approached them. “Mr. Davis and family? The Third Master has been waiting in the private room for some time.”

Zack put on an ingratiating smile. “Yes, yes, that’s us. Please, lead the way…”

The Third Master’s assistant held a significant position within the Valentine family. Even minor elite families wouldn’t dare slight him.

The assistant smiled and guided them inside.

Zack and Mrs. Davis tread carefully as they entered the main hall of Le Jardin Secret.

The decor was classically elegant, with small bridges and flowing water, exuding a refined and lofty atmosphere.

Mrs. Davis warned in a low voice, “Grace, hold that burden properly. Everything here is expensive. If you break something, selling you wouldn’t cover the cost!”

Evelyn let out a scornful laugh.

They arrived at the door of the private room. Zack nervously adjusted his clothes, cast a proud glance at Evelyn, and pushed the door open.

Evelyn glanced inside casually and saw a mature man sitting within.

He was brewing tea. Hearing the door open, he looked up.

His every movement exuded an air of nobility that commanded respect.

Zack’s face was full of sycophantic讨好 (fawning) admiration. Mrs. Davis didn’t dare breathe too loudly.

Only Evelyn was slightly stunned. She instinctively called out, “Handsome Uncle?”