Isabella's voice tightened. "What secret could Evelyn and I possibly have…"

Evelyn also wanted to know that secret.

What secret had allowed Leo to blackmail Isabella for so many years?

"Are you sure you want me to say it out loud?"

Liam's tone was flat but threatening.

Isabella immediately changed her tune. "I'm taking Mom to the hospital to see Evelyn right now. I'll have Mom pressure her into confessing quickly. I'll come find you after we're done, okay?"

Only then did Liam sound satisfied. "Fine. I'll be waiting tonight."

The call ended.

Evelyn couldn't suppress a shiver.

She never imagined Isabella and Liam had that kind of relationship.

Wasn't Isabella two years older than Liam?

How disgusting.

Alexander spoke up from near the window. "Mrs. Ashcroft is here."

Evelyn hurriedly composed herself, patting her cheeks to bring some color back.

Alexander watched her movements. "Worried Mrs. Ashcroft will be concerned?"

"Yes."

Evelyn rushed into the bathroom to change out of her hospital gown, emerging looking completely refreshed.

Just as she finished, the door swung open.

Sophia entered with Isabella and William.

Sophia's eyes immediately found Evelyn, and she relaxed slightly seeing her normal complexion. She hurried over and grasped Evelyn's hands. "Evelyn, are you alright? Why didn't you tell me about something this serious? How long were you planning to hide it if I hadn't seen the news?"

Warmth filled Evelyn's heart, but before she could respond, William snorted coldly. "Look how energetic she is. Does she look sick? The internet was right—she's just trying to get bail!"

Evelyn's smile froze, and she slowly lowered her head.

Sophia squeezed her hand. "Evelyn isn't that kind of person. Don't say such things."

She looked at Evelyn with concern. "I never heard about you having anemia when you lived with us. Has life been too hard since you moved out? Not getting proper nutrition?"

"We give her a monthly allowance. How could she not get proper nutrition?"

William scoffed.

Evelyn frowned at him. "Allowance? I've never received any money."

William was taken aback.

Sophia looked even more surprised. "You never received it? How have you been managing all these years?"

Evelyn pressed her lips together.

She truly hadn't known about any allowance. She hadn't seen a single penny all these years.

William refused to believe it. "Sophia, don't listen to her nonsense. How did she grow up without money? She even got into university!"

Evelyn smiled coldly. "Mr. Ashcroft, I haven't taken a single cent from the Ashcrofts since I left! Would you like to see my bank statements as proof?"

William was speechless.

Sophia turned to Isabella. "Isabella, didn't I ask you to transfer money to Evelyn every month? You didn't do it?"

Isabella's eyes darted around nervously before she lowered her head. "Mom, I gave all the money to Aunt Linda! Maybe Aunt Linda didn't give it to Evelyn? How could she do that?"

At the mention of Linda, William's face filled with disgust. "Someone as selfish as her would definitely pocket the money!"

He looked back at Evelyn. "See? It's not that we didn't give it to you. Your mother took it! This has nothing to do with the Ashcrofts!"

His tone suggested he'd already fulfilled his duties as a father.

Evelyn smiled mockingly, but before she could speak, Sophia said, "William, the fact remains that Evelyn never received the money. She worked herself sick through college. You failed in your responsibility!"

"Sophia, you're too soft-hearted! She's not even sick right now. She's faking it!"

William showed no remorse, instead frowning at Evelyn. "We consulted a lawyer before coming. Your good-for-nothing uncle was at fault first. You injured him accidentally—the charges aren't severe. Hurry up and confess so we can suppress the news. If your identity gets exposed, the Ashcrofts will suffer too!"

Isabella chimed in. "Evelyn, Dad's right. If people find out you're an Ashcroft, our stock price will plummet. We have to control the online narrative. Dad is doing this for your own good. Confessing voluntarily can reduce your sentence. Refusing to confess will only get you more jail time…"

Evelyn ignored them, looking only at Sophia. "Is that what you think too?"

Sophia patted her hand gently. "Evelyn, did you really kill him by accident?"

"No."

"Do you have evidence?"

Evelyn glanced at the tense Isabella and said slowly, "...No."

Isabella breathed a sigh of relief.

Sophia looked troubled. "I've asked around. The evidence is against you right now. If we can't find strong evidence to prove your innocence, you'll likely lose the case."

She lowered her head. "The lawyer also advised you to confess quickly before we came."

Evelyn's heart sank.

But then Sophia gripped her hand tightly. "But if you did it, you did it. If you didn't, you didn't. Evelyn, stick to what you believe is right and see it through."

Evelyn's eyes lit up, and she nodded firmly.

William said angrily, "Sophia, don't be fooled by her! They were in an abandoned hospital. If she didn't kill him, then who did? A ghost?! The entire internet is condemning her right now, and you're still supporting her? You're spoiling her too much!"

Isabella couldn't help adding, "Mom, we agreed to come persuade Evelyn to confess! Otherwise, when the Ashcroft reputation suffers, Julian will call off our engagement! Are you going to be unfair to me again because of your love child?!"

Sophia was stunned into silence.

Isabella's eyes filled with tears. "Mom, which of us is actually your biological daughter?!"

She说完 ran out crying.

Sophia looked anxiously from Evelyn to the door, unsure who to follow.

In the end, she stood up and followed William out the door.

The room fell quiet again.

Evelyn smiled self-deprecatingly at the door.

Alexander, who had remained in the corner the whole time, watched Sophia's retreating back. "Have I ever told you that you and Mrs. Ashcroft look more like mother and daughter?"