Chapter 532

Preston Valentine's resolve wavered.

He didn't truly resent Evelyn Ross.

It was just that when Susan Langley mentioned the wedding dress earlier, an inexplicable, indescribable bitterness had suddenly welled up in his heart.

They were both her brothers.

Why could she be so generous toward their eldest brother?

But with him…

Preston pressed his lips into a tight line, his expression complicated.

Susan chose that moment to speak.

She looked at Evelyn, her voice tinged with grievance.

"Evelyn, family should be understanding of each other. I know you don't like me, but could you please not treat Preston this way? He genuinely cares for you. In the first few days after you returned, whenever he went shopping and saw something nice, you were the first person he thought of… Can't you show me a little respect, just for his sake?"

She lowered her head, her voice growing softer.

"I won't pursue the matter of you hacking my phone. I just want to be with your fifth brother properly and receive your blessing. Is such a small wish really too much to ask?"

Preston's gaze settled on Evelyn once more.

Evelyn sighed inwardly.

She knew she had to make things clear today.

When Ethan Valentine and Preston were arguing earlier, she had still been hesitating about whether to reveal the truth.

She had even considered pretending ignorance and letting them get married.

But now she understood.

These brothers truly cared for her.

Even Preston, who was being deceived, genuinely cared about her.

How could she stand by and do nothing?

Evelyn took a deep breath and stated firmly, "No."

The surroundings fell silent instantly.

Even Preston was stunned.

Evelyn looked directly at him.

"Believe it or not, I saw it with my own eyes at the mall that day. Her relationship with that so-called 'brother' is absolutely not simple. Their behavior was intimate. It was far beyond just ambiguous."

Ethan quickly stepped forward and grabbed her arm.

"Little sister, do you have any proof?"

"No."

Evelyn answered bluntly.

Ethan was caught between laughter and tears.

"If you don't have proof, don't state it so definitively."

Spencer Valentine also nodded.

"Yes, cousin. You can't make accusations without evidence."

Both of them looked at Preston.

Susan's face had turned pale with anger.

She glared at Evelyn.

"Preston, I really can't take this anymore! Little sister, I know you've always held a grudge against me! That's why you're going to such lengths to stop me from marrying your fifth brother!"

The others were taken aback.

"What grudge?"

Evelyn was also confused.

Susan bit her lip.

"Wasn't it because you lost to me by a few votes in the university beauty pageant?"

Evelyn was speechless.

There was such a thing?

She had no idea.

That was her sister's university life, not hers.

Susan's eyes reddened.

"I did win by a few votes back then. I heard you were very upset at the time. The way you looked at me whenever we met was off… I thought you had forgotten long ago. I never expected you to slander me like this even now. Isn't it all because of that? Little sister, that was three or four years ago. We don't have any deep-seated hatred between us. Why must you be like this?"

Evelyn instinctively looked at Alexander Vance.

Alexander had already taken out his phone and handed it to her.

Evelyn took it and saw the screen displaying the campus network page of Grace Sterling's university.

Four years ago, Grace Sterling and Susan Langley had indeed competed in a campus beauty pageant.

Though it was an unofficial student poll…

Evelyn was silent.

This fox was really well-prepared.

Ethan and Spencer also leaned over to look.

They exchanged a glance and spoke.

"We think… our little sister isn't that kind of person."

"Right. She's married and has a child now. She wouldn't be so petty."

Ethan added, "Before I knew her identity, I had quite a few conflicts with her. If she really held grudges, I should be the one she dislikes the most. What's your little issue compared to that?"

Susan nodded.

"Yes, what does our little friction amount to? Why can't you just let me go and let me be with your fifth brother properly? Little sister, is it just because I'm a woman?"

Evelyn began, "I—"

"I don't want to hear any more of your nonsense!" Preston finally exploded.

He glared furiously at Evelyn.

"How long are you going to keep this up?!"

He was breathing heavily, his eyes sweeping over Evelyn.

"I genuinely considered you my sister. But you? You can't provide any evidence for what you claim. Susan has solid proof. How can you expect me to believe you?!"

Evelyn clenched her fists.

Just then, Mr. Valentine's furious roar came from upstairs.

"Preston Valentine! How dare you speak to Evelyn like that?! You unfilial son, get up here now!"

Preston scoffed.

He shot Evelyn one last look, then turned and headed upstairs.

That look was filled with disappointment.

Evelyn's heart tightened.

Before she could process it, her phone suddenly rang.

She answered immediately.

The Sterlingny's tearful voice came from the other end.

"Madam, you need to come back quickly! The Sterling Family villa… it's on fire!! The little miss is with me. I took her out for a walk. We just got back to find the fire is too big. I've already called the police. But… but Miss Mina Sherwood is still inside the room!!"

Evelyn shot to her feet.

Mina…

No! She couldn't let anything happen to her!!