Chapter 649

Natalie Castillo smiled, her eyes curving into crescents.

"People like us have hardened hearts. Your sister is no exception."

"Don't think of her as too kind-hearted."

"If she were truly that soft, how could she have stood by and watched Chloe suffer like that at home?"

Evelyn Ross frowned deeply.

Natalie continued.

"The first lesson for a Sterling Family heir is to learn to always make the correct choice."

"Old Mr. Wright sacrificed a lot, but that was his own decision."

"What you should do now is stay out of this."

"Use your identity as the First Senior Sister of the Cortez Sect, and whatever goodwill Director Wright holds for you, to quickly establish your footing within the Special Operations Division."

"If it were me, I'd be the first one to step forward and spit on him."

"That's the fastest way to gain their acceptance."

"It saves time and effort. This is all tried-and-true advice."

"Otherwise, do you think gaining the Special Operations Division's approval will be easy? It's difficult."

"If you can't do it, then be like your sister and obediently listen to me."

After speaking, Natalie took another bite of her chicken foot.

Her greasy, shiny lips made her look utterly innocent.

Evelyn stared intently at the screen.

She suddenly understood Natalie's intention.

She was afraid Evelyn didn't know Old Mr. Wright was innocent, so she came specifically to remind her.

All to force Evelyn to go against her conscience and be the one to lead the charge.

She was doing it on purpose.

By revealing this, she made it impossible for Evelyn to smoothly gain the Special Operations Division's favor.

Evelyn took a deep breath.

Natalie's voice sounded again.

"However, not many people pass this lesson."

"We were taught from childhood to be selfish, to rarely interfere in others' affairs."

"With your outwardly cold but inwardly warm personality, you probably can't do it, can you?"

"How pitiful. You don't even have the qualification to compete for the heir position."

"After all, that's your best friend."

She giggled.

"Evelyn, what will you choose?"

"Protect Grace and Old Mr. Wright, and you lose this competition."

"Don't protect them, and you still have a chance to win."

Natalie was still smiling cheerfully.

Evelyn clenched her fist.

She knew she should listen to Natalie. She shouldn't get involved.

But watching the old man walk step by step towards the crowd, her fist clenched tighter and tighter.

Old Mr. Wright had given so much for the country.

Even now, at the end, he was still thinking of Professor Nathaniel Wright. He was thinking of Director Wright.

He refused to retire because he didn't want Director Wright to become the spy. Because this position was destined to bear infamy.

He was old. He couldn't do much more in this lifetime.

But if it were Director Wright standing here now, even if Professor Nathaniel Wright returned to the country in the future, how could Director Wright ever return to the Special Operations Division?

He had considered everyone, except himself and his descendants.

Such a selfless person. She clearly knew he was innocent.

Could she just stand by and watch him be humiliated?

Evelyn's jaw tightened.

Natalie made a disapproving sound.

"Evelyn, you're not getting soft-hearted, are you?"

Evelyn lowered her gaze. Her fist was clenched so tightly her knuckles were white.

"Grandpa!"

Grace Lorenz rushed in front of Old Mr. Wright.

She cried out, "Let me take my grandfather's place! He's old! Walking through that will hurt him!"

Her crying earned no sympathy.

Director Wright instead sternly rebuked her.

"Grace, these are the Special Operations Division's rules! Step aside!"

Grace didn't move.

Old Mr. Wright gently pushed her.

"Grace, step aside."

"What's a little spitting? When Grandpa was young, I endured things much harder than this..."

Grace wanted to say more.

Old Mr. Wright sighed.

"Moreover, this is my mistake. I should bear the responsibility."

Grace was stunned. She didn't move again.

Old Mr. Wright leaned on his cane, trembling as he walked towards the crowd.

He stopped in front of Director Wright.

Director Wright stared at him for a long moment.

"Uncle Wright, if you needed money, you could have told me."

"But you shouldn't have collaborated with the enemy and betrayed the country."

"You know my father died in the technology station."

"What I hate most are spies. Don't blame me."

After speaking, a muffled sound came from his throat.

A mouthful of spit was forcefully aimed at Old Mr. Wright.

Old Mr. Wright closed his eyes.

His heart trembled.

Even though he had weathered great storms, this kind of humiliation was still hard to bear.

The expected sticky, disgusting sensation did not come.

A gust of wind brushed past.

He opened his eyes and saw Evelyn's jacket flying over.

It blocked him, intercepting Director Wright's spit.

Old Mr. Wright was stunned. He looked nervously at Evelyn.

Evelyn's gaze was resolute.

She walked over, step by step.

From her Bluetooth earpiece came Natalie's shout.

"Hey! Evelyn Ross! Are you crazy?! Don't go! You—"

Before she could finish, the call was cut off.

Evelyn strode to stand in front of Old Mr. Wright, directly shielding him.

Her sharp gaze swept over the crowd.

"As long as I'm here today, no one will lay a finger on the old man or Grace."