Chapter 570

Evelyn Ross's eyes lit up instantly when she saw Alexander Vance's figure.

She hurried over, holding Chloe Davis, and asked in a low voice, "Is the photo fixed?"

Alexander Vance didn't answer immediately. His gaze swept across the room.

Nicole Sterling was frowning, grabbing Anthony Castillo's hand, trying to force the ring onto his finger.

Anthony Castillo abruptly pulled his hand back. "Let's hear what he has to say first. There might still be a chance."

"What chance could there possibly be?" Nicole Sterling snapped.

Anthony Castillo raised an eyebrow. "If there's no chance, what difference does a few more minutes make?"

Nicole Sterling was left speechless.

She turned to look at the Castillo family patriarch. "Sir, are you just going to let the Ross family come and go as they please? Today is the Castillo family's engagement party!"

The Castillo patriarch looked at Evelyn Ross and spoke slowly. "Miss Ross, if you are willing to marry my grandson, there is still room for discussion. If not, please leave. Do not cause any more trouble here."

Evelyn Ross pressed her lips together and remained silent.

Alexander Vance spoke calmly. "The Ross family can leave. But are you sure you want to drive the Vance family away as well?"

The Castillo patriarch was taken aback.

Among the major elite families in New York, the Vance family had developed rapidly in recent years, expanding its influence overseas.

It was best not to offend them if possible.

Breaking with the Ross family was a necessary choice, but the Vance family... as the fifth major family in New York, offending them lightly would be unwise.

The Castillo patriarch looked at Nicole Sterling. "Miss Sterling, isn't the Vance family also a force you wish to ally with? Are you sure you want to drive Mr. Vance away as well?"

Nicole Sterling's face was cold. "I'm sure! Make them leave immediately!"

The Castillo patriarch's jaw tightened. "You are sure, but I am not. I would like to hear what Mr. Vance has to say."

"You... you old fool!" Nicole Sterling shouted angrily.

The Castillo patriarch shook his head and sighed.

Anthony Castillo, however, looked at Alexander Vance with shining eyes. "Are you here to save me?"

His hopeful expression was almost embarrassing to look at.

Alexander Vance's mouth twitched. He looked at the Castillo patriarch. "If I'm not mistaken, your alliance with the Sterling Family through marriage is because you want a child with Castillo blood, correct?"

There was no need to hide this matter.

Back when Evelyn Ross and Anthony Castillo had considered a fake engagement, Evelyn had only given up after learning that a child was necessary to truly bind the two families.

The Castillo patriarch nodded. "Correct. Marriage itself is unimportant. The key is the child. Have you had a change of heart, Mr. Vance? Are you willing to let Miss Ross bear a child for Anthony?"

Alexander Vance: ?

Anthony Castillo's eyes grew even brighter. "Really? We don't even need to... you know. Artificial insemination would work. Just my sperm... I promise I would never disturb your lives afterward! Mr. Vance, it's so great that you've come around!"

Alexander Vance: "..."

He barely restrained the urge to slap this guy.

How dare he entertain such an idea?

He hadn't even been willing to let Evelyn bear a child for him. How could he possibly let this guy have that privilege!

Alexander Vance's face was cold. "Don't joke, Mr. Castillo."

The Castillo patriarch gave Anthony a regretful look. "You two are truly stubborn. Having a child is nothing. Why can't you accept it?"

Nicole Sterling sneered. "This is the narrow-mindedness of those blinded by love! Evelyn Ross is so immersed in her romance that she can't see the long-term benefits. Mr. Castillo, why hesitate with someone like this?"

The Castillo patriarch sighed.

Anthony Castillo immediately retorted. "Shut up! People without feelings are the most terrifying! The difference between humans and animals is that humans have feelings!"

Nicole Sterling laughed coldly. "Feelings are just shackles! If she had no feelings, wouldn't she be the one marrying you right now?"

She stood on the raised platform, looking down at Evelyn Ross. "Miss Ross, you have repeatedly disrupted my engagement party. Do you simply not take the Castillo family seriously?"

Evelyn Ross spread her hands. "I'm not the one speaking right now. Why are you directing your anger at me? Does Miss Sterling only bully the weak?"

Nicole Sterling was silenced.

She glared hatefully at Evelyn Ross. "Everyone knows Mr. Vance is on your side! He's stalling here, all to help you!"

Then, she glared at the Castillo patriarch. "Sir, if you don't choose me, you can just say so. There's no need to humiliate me again and again! I'll ask one final time. Do you want them to leave so we can continue the engagement, or shall I leave?"

The Castillo patriarch frowned, his expression hesitant.

After a moment of hesitation, he sighed and looked at Evelyn Ross and Alexander Vance. "Miss Ross, Mr. Vance, if you cannot provide a reasonable explanation, then I must ask you to leave."

Alexander Vance's jaw tightened. "We do have a reason. Mr. Castillo, I have simply repaired your photograph. And I might add, I know where your daughter is."

Nicole Sterling immediately scoffed. "Impossible! That photo was torn to shreds. There's no way to repair it! Mr. Vance, don't joke about this."

Alexander Vance smiled. "You may not know this, but in our five-thousand-year civilization, there is a specialized type of artisan called a restoration expert. Their hands can repair thousand-year-old paintings damaged by corrosion, let alone a photograph."

Nicole Sterling sneered. "You absolutely cannot have fixed it!"

"Why not?" Alexander Vance looked at her. "Why are you so certain, Miss Sterling?"

Nicole Sterling lifted her chin. "I say it's impossible, so it's impossible! First, the time was too short. Second, the photo itself is old, the paper is fragile. Third, I deliberately damaged one piece when I tore it. It's simply impossible to repair!"

Alexander Vance shook his head. "Don't underestimate people, Miss Sterling."

He took a transparent folder from his pocket. Inside was clearly a photograph that had been torn to pieces and then meticulously reassembled!

Alexander Vance handed the photo to the Castillo patriarch with a slight smile. "See if this is your daughter. If it is, then the engagement between Nicole Sterling and Anthony Castillo can be called off."