Chapter 502

Susan Langley had never expected things to unfold this way.

Mr. Valentine's swift and severe handling of Penelope Valentine moments ago had sent a chill down her spine.

When Evelyn Ross's gaze swept over her, Susan instinctively tightened her grip on Preston Valentine's arm, holding her breath.

Evelyn merely raised an eyebrow before walking side-by-side with Alexander Vance into the banquet hall.

Only then did Susan exhale in relief, whispering to Preston, "Preston, do you think your sister will hold a grudge against me?"

Preston frowned deeply. "Susan, you shouldn't have brought that up in front of the Vance family. It's fortunate that man was Alexander Vance himself. Otherwise, the Valentine family's reputation would have been thoroughly shamed today."

Susan immediately lowered her lashes, her voice tinged with grievance. "I'm sorry. I didn't know who they were... If I had known, I would never have spoken carelessly."

Looking at her expression, Preston ultimately sighed. "Be more careful in the future."

"I will."

Susan linked her arm with his coquettishly, and the two also entered the banquet hall.

Alexander Vance's birthday gala officially began.

Glasses clinked, and light conversation filled the air as if the earlier incident had never occurred.

In the entire hall, only Julian Evans seemed lost.

He stood in a corner like a wandering ghost, feeling everything was absurd and ridiculous.

He took out his phone and opened a photo he had treasured for a long time.

It was a candid shot taken during a university sports meet.

He had signed Evelyn up for a sprint event without her consent. She had been very displeased at the time, frowning and staring at him for a long while.

Julian had offered an apologetic smile. "Evelyn, don't always be alone. Try to join in with everyone once in a while."

Evelyn hadn't replied, simply turning and walking away.

He thought she wouldn't participate.

But on the day of the race, when the announcer called her name, she appeared at the starting line.

And she took first place with an absolute lead.

The photo captured the moment she crossed the finish line.

Her high ponytail flew in the wind, her eyes were determined, and her face was clean without a single drop of sweat.

Youthful, dazzling, radiant.

Julian gently traced the screen with his fingertip, murmuring softly, "Evelyn, do you see? The man who kept professing his love for you is now about to make a public appearance with his new fiancée... If you were still here, would your heart ache?"

He turned off the screen and looked up.

Just in time to see Alexander Vance take the stage.

A brief speech served as his formal introduction, while also announcing the Vance Group's expansion into New York.

Next was the opening dance.

Alexander elegantly descended from the dais and moved through the crowd.

Guests automatically parted to make way.

He walked towards a girl in a blue evening gown—

Julian shook his head with a bitter smile.

But the next second, his eyes widened in shock.

The girl whose hand Alexander took...

Her smile was bright, her eyes and brows familiar.

It was Evelyn?!

Julian's pupils constricted violently.

No... impossible!

Evelyn had a mole near the corner of her eye. This woman did not.

Even if their aura was so similar...

In that moment, Julian suddenly understood.

Alexander's so-called "transfer of affection" was actually finding a substitute.

He had found a replacement for Evelyn!

A suffocating feeling tightened Julian's chest. He turned abruptly and rushed out of the banquet hall without looking back.

No one in this world could replace Evelyn.

Not even someone who looked exactly like her.

Evelyn had long forgotten about Julian Evans.

She was even less aware that someone was immersed in their own dramatic, tragic fantasy.

After she and Alexander finished the opening dance, guests began approaching to offer congratulations one after another.

She didn't know most of them.

Ethan Valentine proactively acted as her introducer, presenting them to her one by one.

All five major families of New York were present today.

She met representatives from almost every family.

When it was Justin Evans's turn, he looked utterly stunned. "That pretty boy was actually Alexander Vance! No wonder you dared to go public with the relationship, not hiding it at all."

Evelyn asked calmly, "Is Jane Evans awake yet?"

Justin immediately deflated, shaking his head.

Evelyn didn't say more, preparing to greet the next guest.

But Justin suddenly spoke up. "Oh, right. The contract process between our two companies is complete. It's officially signed now."

Evelyn paused mid-step.

She looked sharply at him. "When was it completed?"

"Just now," Justin said. "Our legal department worked overtime today, stamped it, and sent it over. Your side stamped it and sent it back. The cooperation is effective immediately."

As soon as he finished speaking, Evelyn felt her phone vibrate once in her clutch.

She immediately retrieved it.

A new message had arrived from the string-of-numbers number.

The third task—

After reading the content, Evelyn froze completely.