Mr. Valentine’s words sent shockwaves through the room.

The dining hall fell silent.

All eyes turned to Evelyn Ross.

The young socialites who had mocked her were stunned.

They couldn't believe it.

Ethan Valentine’s complaint died in his throat.

He stood frozen.

Charles Valentine looked around in confusion. "Isn't she my god-sister?"

The surrounding guests gave him exasperated looks.

Someone nearby couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Valentine, is she your biological daughter or god-daughter?"

Mr. Valentine smiled warmly. "She is my flesh and blood."

His gaze was tender. "I loved her mother once. We separated for various reasons. I never knew she existed all these years. Thankfully, we found each other now."

Mr. Valentine beckoned to Evelyn. "Don't sit there. Come meet your uncles."

Evelyn’s eyes swept toward Ethan.

Ethan stood rigidly in place.

Meeting her amused gaze, he swallowed hard.

He was finished.

She wasn't his uncle's mistress.

She was his cousin!

The sister they had longed for all these years!

Ethan remembered her explanation at the Nan residence.

He wanted to slap himself.

If his uncle found out he had given her trouble…

His legs would be broken!

Evelyn spoke suddenly. "I was sitting in the wrong place."

Ethan was startled.

Was she helping him?

Mr. Valentine smiled knowingly. "The head table is over here."

He led Evelyn toward the seats of honor.

As she passed Ethan, Evelyn paused.

She smiled slightly. "Third Brother, may I sit at the head table?"

Ethan’s scalp prickled.

Evelyn took her seat with grace and poise.

Guests began murmuring amongst themselves.

"Is she really Mr. Valentine’s daughter?"

"Ethan just made her sit at the third table…"

Someone pulled Penelope Valentine aside. "Your brothers don't like her?"

Penelope’s eyes darted. "Yes, my brothers really don't care for her…"

Before she could finish, Charles suddenly jumped up.

"She's my real cousin!"

He rushed to Evelyn. "Cousin, it was all a misunderstanding! Here's my allowance money. Take it!"

A card appeared in Evelyn’s hand.

Ethan awkwardly approached as well.

He looked at her as if she were a precious treasure.

"Little cousin…" He scratched his head. "You want to learn Cortez Sect martial arts, right? I'll take you to the inner sect tomorrow! If the sect leader won't accept you, I'll make my master do it!"

It was both an apology and a peace offering.

Evelyn thought of their initial misunderstanding.

This third brother wasn't a bad person.

She nodded. "Thank you, Third Brother."

Ethan breathed a sigh of relief.

The other Valentine brothers crowded around.

The second brother gifted her a hospital. "For convenient medical care."

The fifth brother gave her an entertainment company, complete with a famous actor.

The sixth brother presented a jewelry store.

The gifts grew more extravagant.

The guests watched in astonishment.

The girls at the third table were green with envy.

Someone tugged Penelope’s sleeve. "And you said they didn't like her?"

Penelope’s face was stormy.

Weren't they just disliking her?

What changed?

Where did she miscalculate?

She clenched her fists tightly.

These gifts were worth more than her entire dowry!

The Valentines were so biased!

She looked at Ethan. "Third Brother, didn't you say she kept a boy toy?"

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "So what if she does? He can marry into the family. Saves her from hardship after marriage."

Penelope could hardly believe her ears.

That wasn't what he said earlier!

The guests understood perfectly now how the Valentines valued their daughter.

Penelope felt all eyes on her.

With the real daughter back, her status as the adopted one was awkward.

Not wanting the attention, she suddenly looked at Mina Sherwood.

"Sister-in-law, will Grace be moving back to the Valentine estate? Will you be returning too?"

This successfully diverted everyone's focus.

All eyes turned to Mina.

Whispers started again. "She doesn't live with the Valentines now?"

"After that incident the other day, how could she show her face?"

"Didn't Justin clear things up?"

"That was just the Valentines saving face! I heard… Mina’s child isn't Marcus’s!"

"Really? No wonder they had a falling out…"

Mina instinctively protected her stomach.

Three more days until the third month.

Then she could have the amniocentesis…

She looked at Marcus Valentine beside her.