Chapter 564

Another one trying to steal her savior?

Chloe Roland instantly went on high alert. She stepped forward and looped her arm through Evelyn Ross's left one. "Savior Sister, I've missed you so much these past few days!"

Before the words had fully left her mouth, Natalie Castillo had already squeezed her way over. "Miss Roland, right? I'm Natalie Castillo. You can just give the invitation to me. Evelyn, I told you, you didn't need to wait for an invitation. I could have brought you right in. Come this way."

As she spoke, she reached for Evelyn's wrist.

Chloe immediately bristled. "Savior Sister, wait for me!"

She quickly pulled the invitation from her clutch and shoved it at the butler. Then, in two quick strides, she rushed forward and firmly latched onto Evelyn's right arm.

"Savior Sister, who is this? Someone you just met?"

Chloe's tone was full of wariness.

Natalie let out a light laugh. "Some people know each other for ten years and remain mere acquaintances. Others know each other for two days and feel like they've known each other a lifetime. Evelyn and I are the latter!"

She said this while tightening her own grip on Evelyn's arm.

Chloe instantly looked like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "My bond with Savior Sister is forged through life and death! She's saved my life twice! Can your new friendship even compare?"

Natalie raised an eyebrow. "Oh? She saved you? I thought it was the other way around~"

Chloe: "..."

Evelyn felt a throbbing at her temples.

One was twenty-four, the other in her early twenties. Why were they acting like children?

She couldn't help but glance back at Alexander Vance, who was following behind.

The man was holding Chloe Davis. His face was as dark as a thundercloud. The look he was giving Natalie and Chloe could kill.

...Great. Another jealous one.

Evelyn rubbed her forehead, feeling something was off.

She cleared her throat. "Um... Chloe is hungry. I'm going to take her to get something to eat."

With that, she extricated herself from their clutches. She took Chloe from Alexander's arms and quickly retreated to the side. She picked up a small piece of cake, found a quiet corner, and sat down.

Peace and quiet at last!

Evelyn let out a long sigh of relief, then couldn't help but smile.

When she had no friends, she felt lonely. Back in San Francisco, she hadn't been one for socializing. Now that she had more friends, the troubles came along too.

But this was a sweet burden, she supposed.

Holding Chloe, she saw Natalie and Chloe Roland still peeking over, seemingly waiting for her to finish feeding the little girl so they could rush over immediately.

Seeing their intention, Evelyn promptly gave Chloe another piece of cake.

Chloe, who was usually strictly limited on sweets: ??

The little girl's eyes instantly lit up. She began eating it in small, delicate bites, looking utterly adorable and well-behaved.

Evelyn watched her, a smile unconsciously tugging at her lips.

Just then, a voice suddenly came from behind her. "So this is Chloe?"

Evelyn's head snapped up.

Nicole Sterling was standing behind her, looking down at her.

Evelyn's eyes sharpened. She instinctively held Chloe tighter.

Chloe looked up blankly for a moment, then went back to eating her cake.

Evelyn's voice was cold. "Who she is has nothing to do with you."

Nicole, however, crossed her arms and smiled. "If she's your daughter, then she has everything to do with me. Besides, do you really think you can protect her?"

She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. "Anthony Castillo and I are getting engaged today. We'll consummate the marriage tonight. Today happens to be my ovulation period. In a month, I'll be pregSterlingt with his child. By then, you'll have lost completely. Evelyn, if you lose, Chloe will be mine..."

Evelyn's pupils constricted sharply. Her brows furrowed. "The engagement hasn't even happened yet, and you're already thinking that far ahead? Nicole, are you so sure today's engagement party will proceed smoothly?"

Nicole gave a cold laugh. "Why wouldn't it? All obstacles have been cleared. You're the one who gave up the Castillo family for Alexander Vance. Old Mr. Castillo made it perfectly clear. No matter how much money or how many partnerships you offer, he doesn't care. All he wants is a marriage alliance. Evelyn, do you know why?"

Evelyn remained silent.

Nicole continued. "Because only a marriage alliance creates the most solid bond. Only blood ties are truly unbreakable! I just need a child to tie me to the Castillo family. It's a very profitable deal."

She patted Evelyn's shoulder. "When I first came to the States, seeing Anthony's interest in you, I thought I had no chance. Who would have thought you'd hand over such a great opportunity for a man? Well, I thank you for that."

After speaking, she glanced at Chloe again, her gaze meaningful. "Such a cute child..."

With those words, she turned and left.

Evelyn stared at her retreating back, a flash of ruthlessness in her eyes.

Why did this Nicole keep talking about wanting Chloe?

What was so special about Chloe?

She really couldn't figure it out. What use could a three-year-old child possibly be?

Unless... Chloe's father wasn't really Zack Davis?

As Evelyn's thoughts raced, she saw Nicole in the distance wave over a security guard.

The guard walked over quickly. Nicole spoke to him in a low voice. The guard then looked toward Evelyn and walked straight over to her.

"Miss Ross, my apologies." The guard's tone was polite but firm. "Miss Sterling says you are not welcome at tonight's engagement party. She requests that you leave."

Evelyn's brows drew together tightly.

The guard lowered his voice further. "She also asked me to tell you that you probably don't want to cause a rift between the Ashcroft and Castillo families, right? Then don't make things ugly. Let's keep up appearances. Please take the child and leave quietly."

Evelyn took a deep breath, pressing her lips together.

Right now, she was just a guest. Nicole, as the female lead of the evening, did have the right to ask her to leave. Nicole was afraid something might go wrong if she stayed, so she was striking first.

Evelyn scoffed softly. She looked around, took out her phone, and sent a message to Anthony Castillo: [I'm in the ballroom. Where are you?]

Anthony replied quickly: [Coming down now.]

Just after the message was sent, Evelyn saw Anthony slowly descending the staircase from the second floor.

She stood up and said to the guard, "I'll offer my congratulations to the host before I leave."

Hearing this, the guard did not stop her.

Evelyn, holding Chloe, walked directly up to Anthony. She didn't want to mention Nicole forcing her out and put him in a difficult position. She simply said calmly, "Show me the photo of your grandfather's first love."