Chapter 672

Evelyn Ross stood her ground, unmoving.

Alexander Vance stepped forward, his hand shooting out to catch the cane Robert Vance was swinging.

Robert staggered back two steps from the impact before barely regaining his balance.

Eleanor Vance roared in fury. "You unfilial son! What do you think you're doing? Let's see who dares lay a finger on my granddaughter-in-law!"

Robert trembled with rage. "Mother! Look at this! Look at what our family has become since this woman entered our home! One after another, they dare raise their hands against their elders!"

He pointed a shaking finger at Alexander. "This bastard used to know his place! Is he trying to hit his own father today?"

His finger then swung toward Julian Evans. "And look at him! Such an obedient boy before, now he dares to strike his own father! This woman is nothing but a jinx!"

Alexander's voice was icy. "My actions have nothing to do with Evelyn."

Julian, hearing this, also looked at Evelyn.

In that instant, he felt the massive boulder crushing his heart suddenly shift.

The fog clouding his vision was parted by an invisible hand.

His directionless life seemed to have found a compass.

He turned to Robert. "Grandfather, my actions have nothing to do with Aunt Evelyn either! I just don't want to be a puppet on strings anymore!"

"What puppet? What nonsense are you spouting?" Richard Evans demanded sharply.

Julian released his father's hand, enunciating each word clearly. "From the time I was little, you never had a kind look for my mother. Only when I got first place, only when I brought home awards, would you give her a smile. So she pushed me. Harder. Harder still. To please you..."

Julian gave a bitter laugh. "My entire life... it feels like it's been lived just to earn your approval. Every choice I made, I had to consider what you would like... I've never lived for myself!"

His voice choked with emotion. "Choosing a wife, I didn't dare marry a love child, afraid you'd find it shameful, so I gave up the person I loved most. For university, I killed myself to get into the best school in San Francisco, just so you could have bragging rights. Choosing a major, I loved aerospace, but for you, I chose chemical engineering..."

"Father, I don't want to live like this anymore. I want to choose for myself, just once! So, Victoria Lawrence... I will not marry her."

The moment the words left his mouth, a sharp crack echoed through the room.

Richard slapped him hard across the face. "You ungrateful wretch! You dare disobey me? Let me make this clear. You will marry Victoria Lawrence! There is no discussion! Otherwise, I'll throw you and your mother out of the Vance family!"

Julian froze.

After a long moment, the corner of his mouth twitched. He was about to speak when a furious shout came from the doorway. "You wouldn't dare!"

Everyone turned.

Julian's mother, Margaret Evans, strode into the room.

Her eyes were red-rimmed, glaring daggers at Richard. "I've been married to you for over twenty years! I bore you a son! I managed this household for you! I even tolerated you keeping a mistress outside, even let that little bitch Cecilia Evans into this house... Richard Evans, you wouldn't dare throw me out!"

Richard frowned. "Why wouldn't I dare? Your son is disobedient! I'll divorce you!"

"I won't agree to a divorce!" Margaret screamed. "If you have the guts, you move out! Never come back! But if you think I'll divorce you to make room for that woman and her daughter outside? Dream on!"

Richard was speechless.

Cecilia Evans, who had followed Margaret in, spoke up softly. "Mrs. Evans, you misunderstand. Father is just trying to scare Julian. He doesn't really want to divorce you..."

Margaret whirled around and slapped Cecilia hard across the face.

Cecilia's head snapped to the side.

Margaret spat, "Shut up! What right does a love child like you have to speak here? When we are talking, who gave you permission to interrupt?"

Cecilia held her cheek, looking at Richard with wounded eyes. "I just wanted to help Father..."

"Get out! Get out of our house! You're not welcome here!"

Richard exploded in rage. "You shut your mouth! The Vance family is my family! Cecilia is my daughter! If you had any decency, you would have brought her home to be raised properly all those years ago! She wouldn't still be carrying the stigma of being a love child! I haven't even called you narrow-minded yet, and you dare lay a hand on Cecilia again?"

Margaret burst into loud sobs. "Fine, Richard Evans! You bastard! Are you really going to choose this love child over your own son?"

Julian, his own eyes red, also looked at Richard. "Father, let me ask you this too. Are you really going to abandon Mother and me for her? If that's the case, I'll take Mother and leave right now!"

Silence descended upon the living room, thick and heavy.

Richard stood rigid.

In the end, aristocratic families valued sons over daughters.

Without a son to inherit the family business, what would become of him in the future?

Just as Richard hesitated, Cecilia spoke up softly again. "Julian, how can you say that? Father only wants what's best for you. Otherwise, why would he have me introduce you to socialites from New York? And yet you threaten him like this..."

Richard was instantly provoked.

He pointed at Julian and Margaret. "Fine! Divorce it is! Leave then! Go! Who's afraid? You two, get out of the Vance house! Now! Immediately!"