Chapter 535

Evelyn's casual remark froze the smug expression on Susan's face.

Her pupils contracted sharply.

She stared at Evelyn in disbelief. "What did you say?"

Evelyn pushed her aside and stepped forward.

Her gaze fell on the firefighter. "The temperature should have dropped by now, right? You can go in for the rescue."

The firefighter was momentarily stunned. "Our team has been searching inside, but we haven't found..."

Evelyn interrupted him. "Check the basement. There's a safe room there. They should be inside."

The firefighter's eyes lit up. "Alright, I'll notify my colleagues immediately!"

After the firefighter rushed into the burning building, everyone's attention turned to Evelyn.

Ethan and Charles couldn't help but press for answers. "What's going on? Explain."

Evelyn's tone was calm. "I just made some safety preparations in advance."

As she spoke, her gaze shifted to Susan.

Ever since learning that Fox had infiltrated the country to sabotage her relationship with the Five Great Families, she and Alexander had repeatedly analyzed various possibilities.

Arrangements had long been made for Jane. Alexander had sent people to protect her secretly, making it impossible for any stranger to approach her easily.

They truly hadn't expected Fox to take such a convoluted route, targeting Nathan and nearly causing harm to Jane.

But Mina's situation was unavoidable.

Once Mina and Marcus reconciled, the alliance between the Sherwood and Valentine families would be unbreakable, and the Sherwood family's relationship with her would remain intact.

So, with the opening of this "murder" avenue, Fox would definitely try every means to eliminate Mina.

Only with Mina's death could the Valentine and Sherwood families completely break ties...

Therefore, Evelyn had long warned Mina not to go anywhere except staying at home.

Moreover, there was a secret passage in the guest room where Mina was staying, leading directly to the safe room in the basement.

This passage wasn't designed by Evelyn. She discovered it in her sister's diary—she didn't know how many dangers her sister had experienced back then, but she had installed escape passages in the master bedroom, children's room, and guest room.

Once inside the underground safe room, whether it was fire or flood outside, those inside would remain unharmed.

The only drawback was the need for timely rescue, as there was still danger if the oxygen ran out.

But this drawback wasn't a problem at the moment.

Grace had prepared enough oxygen and food for two people for three days in the safe room.

Evelyn had long taught Mina how to enter the safe room. So, if Marcus rushed in right after the fire started, he would definitely be able to hide in the safe room with Mina.

On the contrary, if Marcus hadn't gone in, that would have been truly dangerous.

And just now, both the firefighter and the Sterlingny said Marcus went in very quickly...

As Evelyn was thinking, a voice came through the firefighter's headset. "Found them! Both are safe! We're bringing them out now!"

The firefighter immediately relayed the news to everyone.

Ethan wiped the corner of his eye with his sleeve, complaining, "Little sister, really! If you knew big brother was safe, why didn't you say so earlier? Made me shed a few useless tears..."

The second brother beside him glared at him. "Watch your tone in front of little sister!"

Charles spoke up. "I said cousin wasn't a cold-hearted person. You weren't worried at all because you already knew they were safe!"

Ethan immediately looked at Preston. "What are you still standing there for? Apologize to little sister!"

Preston glanced awkwardly at Evelyn, muttering stiffly, "Why didn't you say so earlier? I was... just too anxious."

Evelyn ignored Preston and looked at Susan instead. "Mina and big brother are safe. Are you very disappointed?"

Her words made everyone look at Susan.

Susan's eyes flickered, then she lowered her gaze. "Sister, how can you say that? I misspoke earlier in the heat of the moment. I didn't know big brother and sister-in-law were safe... I'm sorry, I wrongly accused you."

After saying this, afraid others wouldn't believe her, she looked at Preston. "Preston, I really didn't know. I just saw that sister wasn't worried at all, thought she didn't care about you all, so I spoke without thinking..."

Preston's jaw tightened.

Ethan sneered. "You've 'spoken without thinking' quite a few times today!"

Susan was left speechless.

Ethan rolled his eyes. "Little sister said you were fooling around outside. We didn't believe it at first, since little sister didn't provide evidence, and we didn't want to suspect you. But you keep jumping out yourself... Preston, do you really think there's nothing wrong with her?"

Hearing this, Preston looked suspiciously at Susan.

If he hadn't been reminded, he truly hadn't noticed that from the very beginning, Susan had been steering the narrative against Evelyn.

His jaw tightened, and his gaze turned sharp.