Chapter 567

Evelyn's fingers were about to touch the edge of the photograph.

It was a faded black-and-white photo, small in size, its corners slightly curled, clearly from a long time ago.

Just as her fingertip was about to make contact, a hand suddenly shot out and snatched the photo away!

Evelyn turned sharply.

Nicole held the photo, glanced at it briefly, and a cold smile curled her lips. "You don't have the right to see this photo."

Anthony's face instantly darkened. "Nicole, don't go too far!"

Natalie also stamped her foot in anger. "Nicole! This is something my brother gave me! I can show it to whoever I want! Give it back!"

Nicole glanced at the photo, then looked at Evelyn, her tone resolute. "I said no, and that's final."

"You—!"

Anthony was about to step forward and snatch it back when a hoarse yet authoritative voice suddenly rang out. "What's all this noise?"

Old Mr. Castillo strode over.

His presence immediately silenced the surroundings.

Nicole spoke up at once. "Old Mr. Castillo, your precious grandson is here getting all cozy with Evelyn Ross. He's practically engaged, and you're not going to do anything about it?"

Old Mr. Castillo frowned, his gaze sweeping over Anthony and Evelyn.

Anthony immediately explained. "Grandfather, Miss Ross and I were just having a normal conversation. It's completely innocent. For Nicole to interfere even with this is far too overbearing."

He thought his grandfather would take his side.

But Old Mr. Castillo merely frowned, his voice low. "A man about to be engaged, getting so close to another woman. What kind of behavior is that!"

Anthony's face stiffened.

Nicole smiled. "Old Mr. Castillo, since the two families are about to be joined by marriage, shouldn't you... take a clear stance regarding the Valentine family?"

Old Mr. Castillo's brow furrowed deeply.

Marcus stepped forward. "Old Mr. Castillo, matters between the younger generation need not escalate to the family level. Our two families have always been on good terms, without any enmity."

Old Mr. Castillo sighed.

Nicole sneered. "Grandfather, are you unable to make up your mind? Or do you want to avoid offending both sides? If that's the case, I'll have to have a serious talk with my family..."

At these words, Old Mr. Castillo's expression shifted.

After a long moment, he heaved a heavy sigh and looked at the Valentine family members. "The Castillo family is no longer welcome to you. Since the engagement banquet hasn't started yet, please leave."

Everyone was shocked.

Natalie cried out in disbelief. "Grandfather! Have you lost your mind? For the sake of one woman, you'd make an enemy of the entire Valentine family? I'm still going to marry Spencer Valentine!"

Old Mr. Castillo looked at her. "The Castillo and Valentine families cannot be joined by marriage. Put that thought out of your mind."

Natalie grew frantic. "Grandfather! You're being too unreasonable! You can control my brother, but you can't control me! I will marry Spencer Valentine and no one else!"

Old Mr. Castillo flew into a rage. "Then get out of the Castillo family! From now on, you are no longer a member of this family!"

Natalie was as if struck by lightning, her eyes instantly reddening. "Grandfather?"

Old Mr. Castillo's tone softened slightly. "This has nothing to do with you today. Go upstairs quietly and stay away from that Valentine boy from now on."

Tears welled up in Natalie's eyes. "I won't!"

She pointed at Nicole, her voice trembling. "What kind of spell has this woman cast on you? To make you favor her so much? Grandfather, have you lost your senses?!"

Slap!

Nicole suddenly stepped forward and delivered a hard slap across Natalie's face!

She said sharply, "This slap is to teach you a lesson on behalf of your grandfather! How dare you speak to an elder like that?"

Natalie was stunned by the blow. Coming to her senses, she tried to rush forward and retaliate.

But Old Mr. Castillo grabbed her wrist firmly. "Enough! I've said it before. The Castillo family will choose between Evelyn Ross and Nicole, and support that choice unconditionally. It was Evelyn Ross who gave up on your brother first! What are you still making a fuss about?!"

Natalie covered her cheek, large tears rolling down. "She hit me... Grandfather, she hit me and you're not going to do anything? You've never hit me, not once, my whole life..."

Old Mr. Castillo sighed. "Who told you to be so disobedient? Once Nicole is engaged to your brother, she will be the future mistress of the Castillo family. All household affairs will be entrusted to her."

Natalie clenched her fists.

Spencer rushed to her side, shielding her. "Natalie!"

Old Mr. Castillo roared angrily. "Break up with this boy immediately!"

Natalie's tears flowed freely. "I won't!"

"If you don't break up, then don't ever come back to this house!"

Old Mr. Castillo bellowed.

Natalie looked up, her voice choked with sobs. "Fine, I won't come back! A home like this, I don't want to come back to either!"

She threw herself into Spencer's arms and burst into loud sobs.

Old Mr. Castillo looked at her, sighed deeply, and paid her no further mind. He turned his gaze to Evelyn. "Miss Ross, I've made myself clear. Please take your people and leave immediately. From now on, there is no need for you to set foot in the Castillo family's home again."

He waved his hand.

A group of security guards surged in from outside, surrounding the Valentine family members.

Nicole sneered. "Evelyn Ross, take your people and get out of here. I know you Valentines can fight, but what good will winning a fight do? Today's engagement banquet will proceed as planned!"

Her posture was arrogant, her gaze contemptuous.

Evelyn looked at her, knowing that today's situation was probably truly beyond salvaging.

She lowered her eyes and said slowly, "Fine. We'll leave."

As her words fell, the tense atmosphere around them eased slightly.

The Valentine family members turned to leave.

Evelyn walked over to Natalie and gently patted her shoulder, as if offering comfort.

Seeing this, Nicole sneered. "Evelyn Ross, what do you have to compete with me?"

She turned and linked her arm with Anthony's, her posture intimate, as if declaring her sovereignty.

But the next second—

A figure flashed before her eyes!

Evelyn moved like lightning, suddenly darting in front of Nicole, her hand reaching straight for the photo in Nicole's grasp!

Evelyn knew this was somewhat impulsive.

But a voice inside her was screaming—

This photo was crucial.

It felt as if obtaining it would clear the fog and reveal the key to breaking the deadlock!

Her movements were extremely fast. Her fingertips had already touched a corner of the photo.