Evelyn's heart raced.

The whip was about to strike Mina.

She couldn't hold back any longer and was ready to rush forward to stop it.

A voice rang out first.

"Stop!"

It was Marcus.

Evelyn halted and looked at him.

Kevin's hand trembled violently.

If Marcus hadn't arrived, this act would have been impossible to conclude.

He lowered the whip and turned to Marcus.

He continued his performance.

"Marcus, the Sherwood family is carrying out its discipline. Do you intend to interfere?"

Marcus understood his implication and coughed lightly.

"The child is mine."

Gasps echoed around them.

Fiona and Penelope were stunned.

"Brother, what nonsense are you saying?"

"How could Mina's child possibly be yours?"

Marcus ignored them, his gaze fixed on Mina.

Kneeling, Mina looked up, her face a mix of shock and delight.

Was he finally acknowledging it?

Her eyes reddened, a wave of bitterness washing over her.

Kevin feigned surprise.

"It's really yours? When did you two get together?"

Mina bit her lip and remained silent.

Marcus spoke.

"It was love at first sight during our last blind date. I haven't had the chance to inform you yet, Uncle."

"Hahaha!"

Kevin immediately threw down the whip and helped Mina up.

He looked at Marcus.

"Why keep such good news from me? When do you plan to get engaged?"

Mina stiffened and glanced at Marcus.

His expressionless face made her heart sink.

What did he mean?

Marcus said calmly, "As soon as possible. I will discuss it with my parents."

Kevin laughed.

"Good! I'll await your good news!"

He turned to Miles.

"What are you standing there for? Put away the disciplinary tools! Don't let people laugh at us!"

Miles, scolded for no reason, looked aggrieved.

Kevin gave Mina a deep look and smiled.

"You young people enjoy yourselves. I'll take my leave now."

He left with Miles.

The crowd immediately swarmed around to offer congratulations.

"Congratulations, Mr. Valentine!"

"Double happiness for Minister Sherwood!"

"Wishing you a lifetime of happiness!"

Evelyn was pushed aside, a slight smile on her lips.

She asked the man beside her.

"Do you think Marcus believes it? If not, why did he step in? Unless..."

Her eyes lit up as she looked at Alexander.

"Is it because he likes Mina?"

Before she could finish, she stopped.

Alexander was staring toward the entrance.

Kevin and Miles had disappeared there.

His eyes were dark, clearly thinking of his birth mother once more.

His own uncle was right before him, yet they didn't know each other.

He hadn't even seen a photo.

The Sherwood family clearly didn't care about this nephew.

Evelyn's heart ached.

Her attention immediately shifted from Mina.

She held Alexander's hand.

"It's alright. You still have me."

Alexander snapped out of his thoughts and looked down with a soft sigh.

He tightened his grip on her hand.

"Evelyn, don't leave me."

"Okay."

"Everyone else has someone who cares for them. I only have you and Grandma. Grandma is unwell... recuperating in San Francisco. Right now, I only have you."

"I know."

Evelyn hugged him, feeling something was off.

Alexander's large hand tightened around her waist.

"Evelyn."

Evelyn stopped overthinking.

"I'm here."

...

The banquet ended with the news of Mina and Marcus's engagement.

The crowd dispersed.

Mina finally had a chance to speak with Marcus alone.

She got into his car and asked him to drive her home.

In the car.

Mina still felt it was unreal.

Was she finally going to be with the person she had loved since her youth?

Lost in her joy, Marcus's cold voice suddenly broke the silence.

"Find a time to get an abortion."

Mina froze.

She looked at him in disbelief.

"What did you say?"

Marcus irritably loosened his tie.

"Mina, stop pretending. You and your uncle put on this act just to force me, didn't you? Fine, I'll play along. But I won't be tricked into raising another man's child!"

What Alexander had seen, Marcus had also discerned.

Kevin was clearly performing.

Mina felt her entire body turn cold.

"You still don't believe the child is yours?"

Marcus tightened his tie.

"I told you I have oligospermia!"

He had seen countless doctors, tried both Eastern and Western medicine.

The doctors all said it was up to fate and to be prepared for the possibility of no children.

How could he suddenly have a child?

Was Mina creating a medical miracle for him?

Mina was shocked.

"If you don't believe it, why did you step forward?"

Why?

Marcus was taken aback.

He didn't know either.

At that moment, he had only one thought: he didn't want to see Mina get hurt.

...

Elsewhere.

Alexander drove Evelyn back to the Nan family home.

On the road, Evelyn carefully observed his expression.

The man was still frowning, his expression gloomy.

Evelyn wanted to comfort him when her phone suddenly rang.

She glanced at it. The caller ID showed an unknown number.

Frowning, she answered.

An electronic voice came from the other end.

"Grace, Mina and Marcus are engaged. You've completed your first task."

Evelyn's heart skipped a beat, her pupils constricting.

She wanted to ask who it was, but she calmed down.

Grace wouldn't ask that.

She lowered her eyes and spoke softly.

"I want to go home. Can I?"

"Heh, want to come back now? Because your mother, Sophia, has been captured?"

Evelyn clenched her fingers.

"How is she? I want to see her."

"You can."

The other party laughed.

"I'll give you the route home."