Chapter 568

Evelyn's fingers had just touched the edge of the photograph when Nicole's hand slammed down hard on top of it.

Her nails nearly dug into the back of Evelyn's hand.

"Let go." Evelyn's voice was icy.

But Nicole only gripped tighter, her fingertips turning white from the force. "I said you can't look."

Evelyn lifted her gaze, meeting Nicole's venomous eyes. "Old Mr. Castillo agreed to let me see it."

"He agreed?" Nicole scoffed. "He still needs my permission."

The two women were locked in a stalemate, the air thick with silent tension.

Anthony stepped forward. "Nicole, don't go too far."

"Me? Go too far?" Nicole raised an eyebrow, her gaze sweeping over Evelyn. "What is she? An outsider. She has no right to meddle in Castillo family affairs."

Evelyn ignored the provocation, looking instead at Old Mr. Castillo. "Sir, you promised I could see it."

Old Mr. Castillo was silent for a moment before finally speaking. "Give it to her."

Nicole's face changed instantly.

She stared at the faded old photograph, then suddenly laughed. "Fine. Since the old man has spoken—"

Before she finished, she yanked the photo with all her strength.

Riiip—

The sharp tearing sound was piercing in the quiet banquet hall.

The photograph was ripped cleanly in half.

Old Mr. Castillo's pupils contracted sharply. He froze in place.

Anthony roared, "Nicole!"

But Nicole acted as if nothing had happened. She folded the two halves together and ripped them again.

Shreds fell like snowflakes from her fingers.

She brushed her hands together, a mocking smile curling her lips. "Oh dear, how clumsy of me. This photo is so old, it just fell apart at a touch."

Old Mr. Castillo trembled all over, his lips quivering, but no words came out.

Evelyn looked at the scattered fragments on the floor, her eyes darkening.

Nicole bent down, picked up the largest piece, and waved it in front of Evelyn's face. "Now, do you still want to see it?"

Evelyn said nothing.

Nicole gave a light laugh. "Evelyn, let me tell you something. Some things are not for you to touch."

She threw the fragment to the floor and ground it under her high heel.

"The engagement party is about to start. I suggest you be smart and get lost."

With that, she hooked her arm through Anthony's and forcibly dragged him toward the backstage area.

Anthony looked back, his eyes filled with apology and helplessness as he met Evelyn's gaze.

After the two disappeared down the corridor, Natalie rushed to her grandfather's side. "Grandpa! How could she do that! That was your only keepsake!"

Old Mr. Castillo closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

When he opened them again, only desolation remained in his gaze.

"Let it go."

He turned and walked with unsteady steps toward the lounge.

His hunched back seemed to have aged ten years in an instant.

Evelyn crouched down and began picking up the fragments from the floor.

Alexander crouched beside her, his voice low. "You think there's something to it?"

"Yes." Evelyn carefully gathered the pieces. "Nicole's reaction was too extreme. The more she tried to stop me, the more it proves this photo holds a secret."

Alexander nodded. "I had the same feeling."

The two quickly collected all the fragments. Alexander took a handkerchief from his pocket and carefully wrapped them.

"Give me half an hour," he said. "I can restore it."

Evelyn looked up. "It's torn to shreds. Can you really do it?"

Alexander's lips curved. "Don't forget what I used to do."

Evelyn then remembered that Alexander had served in special forces earlier in his life. Restoring damaged documents was a basic skill.

"Alright." She nodded. "I'll try to stall them."

Alexander turned and quickly left the banquet hall.

Evelyn stood in place, looking at the mess on the floor, her gaze gradually sharpening.

The more Nicole tried to stop her, the more determined she was to find out.

What secret was hidden in this photograph?

Something that made Old Mr. Castillo swallow his anger, something that made Nicole so fearful—

Evelyn turned and walked toward the backstage area.

She needed to find a way to stall Nicole and Anthony until Alexander restored the photo.

The engagement party was about to begin. Guests were arriving one after another.

Evelyn moved through the crowd, her eyes scanning every corner.

Suddenly, she stopped.

The door to the backstage dressing room was slightly ajar. Nicole's cold voice came from inside.

"Anthony, I'm warning you, don't try any more tricks. Otherwise, I can't guarantee your grandfather will live to see tomorrow."

Evelyn's pupils constricted.

She moved closer quietly, peering through the crack in the door.

Nicole stood with her back to the door, holding a syringe. The needle tip gleamed coldly under the lights.

Anthony was pinned to a chair by two men in black suits, his face pale.

"Nicole, you're insane!" He struggled. "If you touch my grandfather, the Castillo family will never let you go!"

"The Castillo family?" Nicole laughed lightly. "Does the Castillo family still have the right to say that?"

She leaned down, tapping Anthony's cheek lightly with the syringe.

"Cooperate nicely. Get through the engagement. After that, you can do whatever you want. But before that—"

Her eyes turned fierce. "Don't force my hand."

Evelyn held her breath, quietly backing away a few steps. She took out her phone.

She needed to notify Alexander to hurry.

The secret in the photo was probably more important than they imagined.

It might even concern Old Mr. Castillo's life.

Evelyn finished typing the text message and was about to send it—

A hand suddenly reached from behind and snatched her phone.

"Miss Ross, eavesdropping is not a good habit."

Nicole's voice sounded by her ear, cold and piercing.

Evelyn turned to meet Nicole's amused eyes.

"What, calling for backup?" Nicole toyed with her phone. "Too bad. It's too late."

She raised her hand. The two men in black suits immediately stepped forward, grabbing Evelyn from both sides.

"Take her to the lounge," Nicole ordered. "Make sure Miss Ross is properly 'entertained' until the engagement party is over."

Evelyn didn't struggle.

She looked at Nicole and suddenly smiled. "You think tearing up the photo solves everything?"

Nicole's eyes darkened. "What do you mean?"

"Nothing much." Evelyn's tone was calm. "Just reminding you that some secrets can't stay hidden."

Nicole stared at her for a few seconds, then also smiled.

"Then let's see which is harder—your mouth, or my methods."

She waved her hand. The bodyguards immediately dragged Evelyn away.

Evelyn didn't resist, letting them take her into a small lounge.

The door was locked from the outside.

She leaned against the wall, listening to the fading footsteps outside, a cold smile curling her lips.

Nicole thought controlling her would ensure peace of mind.

But she didn't know that Alexander was, at that very moment, in some corner, piecing those fragments back together.

And the secret in the photo—

Evelyn closed her eyes. The fleeting image she had glimpsed flashed in her mind.

Though she had only seen it for a moment, she remembered it clearly.

In the photo, the baby held by the young woman had a birthmark on its neck.

Its shape strongly resembled a plum blossom.

Evelyn's eyes snapped open.

She remembered now.

In the Sterling Family shrine, there was a faded portrait.

The woman in the portrait had the same birthmark on her neck.

It belonged to the Sterling Family's long-missing—

Second Young Miss.