Chapter 497

Evelyn Ross was speaking with Eleanor Vance.

The elderly woman clutched her hand tightly.

Her eyes were red-rimmed, and her voice trembled.

"My dear granddaughter-in-law, it's so wonderful to see you again."

Evelyn's heart ached.

She responded softly, "Grandmother, it's my fault. I should have visited you sooner."

"You must have had your reasons," Eleanor said, dabbing her eyes.

"I heard you have a new identity now, and a child? What happened exactly?"

She paused, then quickly added, "If it's inconvenient to talk about, you don't have to say anything."

Evelyn felt a warm glow.

She explained simply, "It was my sister, Grace Nan, who fell into the sea that day. I woke up as her."

"As for why I had to live using my sister's identity... that's a long story."

"Then don't say it!" Eleanor said, smiling through her tears.

"It's enough that you're back. What about your status as the Ashcroft family's eldest daughter..."

"It's true. The third Ashcroft brother is my father."

Eleanor was taken aback.

"And your mother-in-law?"

Evelyn's expression dimmed.

"My mother is missing."

"How could she disappear?" Eleanor frowned.

"She was taken by the Nan family," Evelyn said firmly.

"I'm searching for the Nan family's whereabouts. I must rescue my mother."

"The Nan family?" Eleanor seemed thoughtful.

"Your mother is Sophia Ashcroft... so she was from the Nan family!"

Evelyn eagerly grasped her hand.

"You know about the Nan family?"

Eleanor nodded.

"It's a very ancient family. It's normal that your generation wouldn't know about them."

Evelyn's eyes lit up.

"Grandmother, can you tell me everything you know?"

"Of course," Eleanor said, glancing around.

"But there are too many eyes and ears here. Let's talk after the banquet ends."

"Alright."

Evelyn asked with concern, "How has your health been lately?"

"Thanks to your medicine, I've remembered many things," Eleanor sighed.

"Unfortunately, I'm old. Even with a clear mind, I don't have many years left."

"I'll leave that troublesome boy to you."

"Don't say that, Grandmother. You will live a long life. You still need to help us raise our children!"

As Evelyn spoke, she noticed a commotion not far away.

She paused, then stood up.

"Grandmother, something seems to be happening with the Ashcrofts. I'll go take a look."

"Fiona, please look after Grandmother."

Fiona Vance quickly nodded.

"Don't worry, Madam. Go ahead."

Fiona's eyes were also red.

Evelyn patted her hand and walked toward the source of the argument.

On the way, she was stopped by Ethan Valentine.

"Little sister, First Senior Sister, come quickly and meet Preston's girlfriend!"

Ethan and Preston were similar in age and usually called each other by their first names.

Evelyn glanced into the distance, then first approached the Ashcroft group.

Preston was happily introducing his girlfriend to his family, looking very pleased.

Ethan curled his lip.

"Who knows where he found this woman? He treats her like a treasure."

"Earlier, she even hinted that you should watch your image and not offend the Vances too much, for the Ashcroft family's sake."

"She's already giving orders before even entering the family. She'll definitely be a troublemaker in the future!"

Evelyn couldn't help but laugh.

The Ashcroft brothers were all good people.

Though Preston was a bit old-fashioned, he treated her well.

She remembered the Family Reunion Gala, where Preston had given her an expensive jade bracelet.

He always advised her to break up with her "boy toy" to avoid upsetting Alexander Vance, but it was out of good intentions.

As the two approached, Preston enthusiastically introduced them.

"Susan, this is my little sister, Grace Valentine!"

He then said to Evelyn, "Little sister, this is my girlfriend, Susan Langley."

The girl turned around.

The moment Evelyn saw her face, she stopped in her tracks.

What a coincidence.

Wasn't this the woman having an affair with another man in the shopping mall parking lot yesterday?

Evelyn's expression became complicated.

She recalled the conversation between this woman and the young man in the parking lot.

Something about "using my boyfriend's money to support you"...

So that unlucky boyfriend was Preston?

Evelyn gave a wry smile.

When Susan Langley enthusiastically extended her hand, Evelyn looked down at it and made no move.

Susan was taken aback and looked at Preston with hurt feelings.

"Preston, does your sister not like me?"

Preston looked at Evelyn.

Evelyn cleared her throat lightly.

"I have mysophobia."

Mainly, the thought of these hands groping in a man's pants yesterday made her feel sick.

If it were a normal relationship, it would be one thing, but this was clearly an affair.

Susan's face instantly turned ugly.

She was about to say something when Evelyn spoke with a faint smile.

"Miss Langley, did you go to S Mall yesterday?"

Susan's face changed.

Preston, completely unaware, said, "Yes, she went to buy a bag yesterday. How did you know, little sister?"

Evelyn looked at him meaningfully.

"I went to buy a gift for Alexander Vance yesterday and ran into someone who looked very much like Miss Langley."

Susan forced a smile.

"Miss Valentine must have mistaken me for someone else."

"Really?" Preston became interested.

"Maybe you really did see each other. Little sister, what was she wearing yesterday?"

Evelyn said with a smile, "A yellow dress, right?"

"Yes, yes!" Preston's eyes lit up.

"I drove her there, but I had work and left first. Where did you see Susan?"

Evelyn's lips curved slightly.

"The parking lot."