Chapter 545

Mother had been hiding in San Francisco for so many years.

She clearly had the ability, yet only kept the family at a comfortable, middle-class level.

What was the difference between Mother's actions and my sister Grace's?

What were they both hiding from?

Fox. Rabbit.

So, starting from Grandmother, they were all from the Sterling Family?

Does every generation have to go through this kind of struggle?

The losers fade away.

Like Grandmother.

I was hidden away by Mother, but Sister was taken by the Sterling Family and dragged into their conflicts.

Evelyn felt she was touching the edge of the Sterling Family's secret.

If she could learn more from the Fox's side, she might understand what the Sterling Family was really about.

Evelyn pondered, continuing to look at the photo.

She suddenly noticed something odd.

She quickly picked up the photo and looked at the back.

Sure enough, there was handwriting.

The script was elegant, likely written by a woman.

Below were a date and a location.

And a line: "All is well. Don't worry."

Evelyn frowned.

Mother was still young then.

She recognized Sophia's handwriting, so the writing on the photo must be Grandmother's.

But who did Grandmother send this photo to?

Evelyn touched her chin.

"Don't worry"...

Grandfather?

After all, Mother couldn't have sprung from a rock.

Or perhaps a close female friend of Grandmother's?

Or someone from the Sterling Family?

Evelyn couldn't guess.

She could only sigh and put the photo down.

After a moment's thought, she placed the photo in her wallet.

That great fire had burned all of Grandmother's belongings.

This photo was the only surviving picture of Mother Sophia and Grandmother together.

...

Outside the door.

Joanna finished cleaning the windows and was preparing to leave with the ladder.

She heard Preston, who had just stepped out, asking the butler, "Where's that little maid?"

Joanna's heart jumped.

Thinking he was coming to cause trouble for her again, she turned and hurried away, hiding in a nearby storage room.

Then she heard the butler speak, "She was just working upstairs. Not sure where she is now."

"Oh, I see."

After Preston spoke, his footsteps went upstairs.

Joanna held her breath, filled with resentment.

She had recognized him earlier—this Preston was the person she had saved from that car accident.

And yet, this guy kept causing trouble for her.

She didn't know what he wanted this time.

It was just too much.

As Joanna thought this, she heard Preston calling for her, "Hey, little maid, where are you? Anyone there?"

Joanna took a deep breath.

Did this guy have any manners?

Maid was a job, not a name.

She rolled her eyes.

Only when the sounds outside finally faded did Joanna relax.

She opened the storage room door and peeked out cautiously.

Not seeing Preston anywhere, she stepped out.

"That jerk is definitely looking for trouble again."

"I absolutely cannot let him catch me off guard again..."

She muttered this, about to go downstairs.

A hand suddenly tapped her shoulder.

Joanna immediately turned around.

Preston stood behind her, smiling at her.

Joanna: !!!

Why was this guy so persistent?

She stared at him in alarm and immediately said, "Don't even think about making me pay more!"

"Let me tell you, thirteen thousand is already five months of my wages."

"Any more and I'll quit! You—"

Before she could finish, a bag appeared in front of her.

Joanna was stunned.

Preston spoke, "Open it."

Joanna frowned and glanced at it.

Through the open top of the bag, she could see a dress identical to the one Susan's that had been damaged.

She was dumbfounded. "What's this?"

"When Susan comes again, you can give this to her."

Preston rubbed his head. "I didn't know thirteen thousand meant that much to you."

"I also didn't realize thirteen thousand was such a large sum."

"If you give her this dress, you'll be off the hook."

Joanna looked at him. "I'll pay you back the money slowly later..."

Preston immediately said, "No need."

"I know you were innocent, you didn't mean to."

"Besides, that gown can still be worn after cleaning."

He sighed here. "I thought at the time if both sides compromised a little, the matter would be over."

"Consider this money as my compensation to you."

Hearing this, Joanna was speechless.

She never expected Preston to say such a thing.

Nor did she expect Preston to be quite kind-hearted.

Perhaps in his view, the issue between her and Susan was like a fight between brothers.

Susan's apology to her and her giving Susan a replacement dress were equivalent.

As for bumping into Susan, Joanna certainly bore some responsibility too.

She shouldn't walk so fast in the Valentine house.

She should have paused when reaching the doorway.

She fell silent for a moment before continuing, "Thank you."

"But I'll give you the money once I've saved enough."

Preston smiled. "Really, no need. Otherwise, wouldn't you be at a loss?"

"Actually, Susan is quite nice. You just happened to catch her on a bad day."

"Normally, Susan is very kind in how she treats people. She wouldn't make things difficult for you."

"Alright."

Joanna smiled, looked at Preston, and took the dress. "Then thank you."

"Consider this dress as me repaying your life-saving favor."

"What life-saving favor?"