Not bad.

Marcus Valentine was almost certain.

The woman before him, Grace Nan, was Evelyn Ross.

He had investigated Grace Nan.

For over twenty years, Grace had been timid and weak.

A person's character doesn't change overnight.

Moreover, her driver was Alexander Vance.

Alexander wouldn't just fall for someone else.

That man was stubbornly loyal.

He couldn't have moved on from Evelyn so quickly.

So, it had to be Evelyn.

Marcus's smile slowly faded.

He felt both joy and sorrow.

Joy that Evelyn was still alive.

Sorrow that the one who died was the real Grace Nan.

Both were his biological daughters.

Marcus lowered his gaze.

"Let's go home," he said.

He still needed to find Sophia Ashcroft…

The car returned to the Valentine estate.

Upstairs, Penelope and Fiona Valentine were trembling in their room.

Fiona was frantic. "Penelope, is Grace really Uncle's daughter? If she comes back, where does that leave us?"

Penelope was irritated. "Keep your voice down! We're adopted. We'll still have a place, but our status will drop."

The Valentine family had no biological daughters.

They were the prized jewels.

If Grace returned, they would no longer be special.

Right now, they were treated like princesses.

Even more cherished than Chloe Roland or the Sherwood heiresses.

If Grace came back…

Penelope clenched her fist.

Suddenly, she spoke. "The Valentine and Vance alliance marriage is still pending…"

Fiona grasped at this. "Yes! The Valentine-Vance marriage. You're the only unmarried one here! Grace is divorced with a child. The Vances would never accept her! Penelope, our future depends on you!"

Penelope withdrew her hand.

She looked at the fool with disdain.

The sound of a car arrived from downstairs.

She immediately raised a hand to Fiona. "Shh…"

They opened the door.

They crept into the hallway and peered down.

Marcus Valentine approached. "Uncle, how did the recognition go? Will you announce Grace as your biological daughter? My true cousin?"

Marcus shook his head. "Not yet…"

The banquet was in a week.

The two upstairs sighed in relief.

Fiona whispered, "It must be because Grace's scandals are too shameful. Uncle is afraid acknowledging her will bring disgrace!"

Penelope thought the same.

A divorced woman with a burden…

The Valentine family having such a daughter would be a laughingstock.

No one would marry her.

No matter how much Uncle doted on her, he wouldn't acknowledge her and make the Valentines a joke.

At most, he would give some compensation.

As they were thinking this, Marcus spoke. "Has the Vance boy arrived in New York?"

Marcus Valentine replied, "He's been here for a while. Uncle, are you thinking of restarting the Valentine-Vance marriage? Is the alliance still on?"

Marcus smiled. "Yes, it's still on!"

Evelyn and Alexander were meant to be!

What was there to continue? They were already together!

Marcus Valentine misunderstood, thinking his uncle approved of Grace and Alexander.

He nodded. "Alright, I'll continue pushing for it. The alliance between our families should be announced publicly."

A major corporate marriage had commercial value.

Announcing it would benefit the Valentines.

It would also help the Vances, who were new to the New York market.

Rumors had already spread.

Neither family had responded.

A response now would build momentum.

As they spoke, they walked toward the study.

Marcus suddenly asked, "Last night was your wedding night. You weren't home. Where did you go?"

Marcus Valentine paused.

Marcus asked again, "Where is your wife?"

Marcus Valentine paused once more.

He quickly changed the subject. "Uncle, you've been away from New York this month. There are company matters that need reporting…"

"No need to report. You handle it. I'm getting old. The company will be yours sooner or later. Now go bring your wife home."

Marcus Valentine fell silent.

Marcus lowered his gaze and patted his shoulder. "Marcus, you're still young. You don't understand yet. Cherish what you have. Sharing a path together is fate."

Marcus Valentine's steps faltered.

Marcus entered the study without looking back.

Marcus Valentine pressed his lips together, sighed silently, and turned to leave.

On the second day of his marriage, Mina Sherwood had disappeared from home. It really didn't look good.

Valentine stocks couldn't fluctuate because of him.

After Marcus Valentine left, Fiona and Penelope straightened up.

Fiona smiled obsequiously. "Penelope, did you hear? The Valentine-Vance marriage is still on… You can rest easy now! Once you're Mrs. Vance, you won't have to worry about being an adopted daughter of the Valentines!"

Penelope curled her lips into a smile.

Fiona breathed a sigh of relief.

With Penelope's support, her future wouldn't be too bleak.

Just as she thought this, her phone rang.

She answered. A kindergarten teacher's voice came through. "Hello, is this Joey Valentine's parent?"

Fiona immediately said, "Yes, it is."

"Please come to the kindergarten right away!"

Fiona clenched her fingers. "Who told you to call me?"

The phone was snatched away.

Evelyn's cool voice came through. "It's me. Get over here now!"

"Grace?! What did you do to my son?!"

Fiona shouted. "Are you getting back at me? Don't go too far! I'm not someone you can bully! I'm coming right now!"

After shouting, Fiona's eyes reddened with urgency.

She looked at Penelope. "Penelope, I have to go to the kindergarten!"

Penelope nodded.

Fiona, worried about her son, drove straight to the kindergarten.

Entering, she saw Joey Valentine standing in the yard as punishment.

The little fatty was crying, his whole body trembling.

Evelyn said directly, "You're just in time. Take him for a check-up… He's sick."

While scolding Joey earlier, she noticed something was wrong.

The child had a problem.

Despite her conflicts with Fiona, she wouldn't take it out on the child.

She immediately called Fiona to warn her.