Mr. Lawrence spun around sharply.

Thomas Watson stood before him, beaming.

The man who had ignored them yesterday now extended his hand warmly.

"Mr. Lawrence, I've heard so much about you!"

Mr. Lawrence was bewildered.

"Mr. Watson?"

Thomas got straight to the point.

"Do you have the contract?"

Mr. Lawrence nodded instinctively.

"Yes."

"Good. Let's sign it now."

Dazed, Mr. Lawrence followed Thomas into the office.

Even after walking out with the signed contract, it felt like a dream.

He returned home in a trance.

Seeing his dazed expression, Mrs. Lawrence assumed the worst.

"What happened? Did the receptionist stop you?"

Silently, Mr. Lawrence handed her the contract.

Mrs. Lawrence glanced at it and froze.

Mr. Lawrence murmured,

"Just who is that savior of yours?"

Mrs. Lawrence thought for a moment, then her eyes lit up.

"Maybe my good deeds are finally paying off?"

Mr. Lawrence nearly rolled his eyes.

"Do you believe that?"

"No."

He sighed.

"Whatever their background, we aren't associating with them for gain."

Mrs. Lawrence nodded firmly.

"Right!"

...

The next day, Evelyn didn't take Chloe to preschool.

She had only enrolled her to avoid Zack's mother's harassment and to set a trap.

Now that the divorce was final and the house was peaceful, she withdrew Chloe immediately.

A two-year-old needs security and is best kept close.

Besides, Fiona Valentine was cunning.

Evelyn didn't want Chloe suffering any more mistreatment.

Hearing she didn't have to go to school, Chloe's face broke into a smile.

Evelyn was playing with her when Mina Sherwood video called.

Mina propped her phone on the coffee table.

"Goddaughter, give godmom a kiss!"

Chloe shyly buried her face in Evelyn's chest.

Mina complained,

"Look how shy she is! Grace, it's your fault for blocking me for six months..."

Evelyn wanted to explain for her sister, but didn't know where to start.

Mina continued,

"But it's fine. I've done some soul-searching these past months. I wasn't caring enough. People who lack love fall for scum like Zack."

She smiled at the camera.

"From now on, I'm going to love you more, mwah!"

Evelyn couldn't help but laugh.

It seemed her sister's friendship with Mina was stronger than she thought.

Before she could speak, a loud crash came through the video.

Mina's parents burst into the room.

Mina didn't have time to end the call before her mother slapped her.

"Smack!"

Mrs. Sherwood had struck her.

Mina held her cheek, stunned.

"Mom, what are you doing?"

Mrs. Sherwood's face was dark with anger.

"What am I doing? You should ask yourself what you've done!"

She threw a pregnancy test report in Mina's face.

Mina saw it and her pupils contracted.

"I..."

"Who is the bastard's father?!" Mr. Sherwood roared.

He stepped forward, glaring at his daughter.

"What did we teach you? Have some self-respect! Who will want you now?!"

Mrs. Sherwood began to cry.

"Is this why you refused to meet Mr. Vance? Are you involved with some man? How could you be so foolish!"

Mina clenched her fists.

"Dad, Mom, is getting pregnant in a relationship foolish, but marrying that divorced old man Alexander Vance isn't?"

Evelyn, who had been worried about Mina: ??

She glanced at the man nearby.

The "divorced old man" twitched his mouth.

An undeserved insult.

Evelyn coughed and focused on the video.

Mina was usually the strong one at home, protecting her parents.