Chapter 731

Julian Evans stared at his phone screen, his fingertips growing cold.

Alexander Vance's text message was brief and direct, yet it felt like a key, instantly unlocking all the mysteries.

So, his uncle had already laid an inescapable net, waiting only for Great-Grandmother Eleanor to pass before settling all the undercurrents stirring within the Vance family.

A chill shot up his spine to the nape of his neck. Julian closed his eyes, but a sliver of relief welled up in his heart.

Thankfully, he had pulled back in time and hadn't plunged further into the abyss.

He took a deep breath and typed a reply on the screen: [Thank you, Uncle.]

Then, he opened the location Alexander had sent, and drove there with Richard Evans.

...

Richard Evans cursed and grumbled the entire way, his face full of disbelief.

Only when the car stopped in front of a remote villa, and he saw that familiar black sedan, did his expression abruptly change.

Julian didn't get out of the car. He merely rolled down the window and watched quietly.

Richard Evans charged through the front gate like a wild beast out of control.

Through the living room's floor-to-ceiling window, Julian saw Lillian Evans's panicked face.

He saw the driver instinctively step back.

He saw Cecilia Evans cover her mouth in fright.

Richard Evans grabbed Lillian's arm and dragged her outside, his expression twisted, his voice hoarse.

The father who had once made him tremble with fear was now reduced to nothing but wretchedness and madness.

Julian suddenly smiled.

He laughed at himself for ever being intimidated by such a man.

He withdrew his gaze, started the car, and drove away without looking back.

A father like that wasn't worth a second glance.

Two days later, his phone vibrated.

It was the last message from Richard Evans. Just two words: Save me.

Immediately after, a news notification popped up—a homicide at a suburban villa, one male deceased, three suspects already detained.

Julian stared at the screen, unmoving for a long time.

Margaret Evans walked out from the kitchen and saw his distracted state.

"What's wrong?" she asked softly.

Julian handed her the phone.

Margaret took one look, her hand trembled, and the cup she was holding fell to the floor.

The shattering sound was sharp and piercing.

Thomas Watson handled Richard Evans's funeral arrangements.

When the urn was placed in Julian's hands, it felt so light it left an emptiness in his heart.

"Scatter his ashes into the sea," Julian said to his mother. "He hated being restrained his whole life. Let him be free."

Margaret was silent for a long moment, then nodded.

Vance Family Estate.

After hearing Julian's decision, Alexander Vance looked up at him. "Your mother is still part of the main branch of the Vance family. Does she need to move back here?"

Julian shook his head. "No need. We're fine outside."

Nowadays, there was no distinction between the main and secondary branches of the Vance family. The entire clan was Alexander Vance's domain.

What would he and his mother gain by returning, besides facing the people they had wronged in the past?

Alexander said nothing more.

Julian turned to leave, but a hoarse, aged voice came from the staircase.

"You disgrace! Your father doesn't even have a memorial tablet! Who will burn incense for him in the future? Who will remember him?!"

Robert Vance, leaning on a cane, stumbled out. His eyes were bloodshot, and he seemed to have aged ten years overnight.

Eleanor Vance had just been buried yesterday. Robert hadn't yet been taken away by Elder Howard Vance.

Julian stopped and looked back at him. "Did he care about a memorial tablet?"

Robert was taken aback.

Julian's voice was calm, yet each word cut like a knife. "What he cared about was why you abandoned his mother, my grandmother, all those years ago."

Robert opened his mouth, but no words came out.

Julian continued, "If you were cowardly, you shouldn't have entered New York's political arena. If you were ambitious, you shouldn't have been soft and indecisive. People like you are the most pitiful—unfair to your father, and unfair to your younger brother. Grandfather, all of this is your fault."

Having said that, he left without looking back.

Robert pointed at his retreating figure, his whole body trembling.

Suddenly, he spat out a mouthful of blood and fell straight backward.

...

Robert Vance was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

On the day he left New York, he wore adult diapers and sat in the back seat of the car.

He grinned foolishly at Alexander Vance. "Son! I'm your father! I'll come back to see you!"

Alexander's gaze was icy as he looked at Elder Howard Vance. "Take him back to the old estate in San Francisco."

Elder Howard Vance sighed, looking at the now-empty Vance family mansion.

When they had arrived, there had still been arguments, schemes, and hypocritical smiles—at least it had been lively.

Now that the matriarch was gone, this family had fallen apart.

The car slowly drove away and disappeared around the street corner.

Alexander stood in place, unmoving for a long time.

Until a warm hand grasped his.

He stiffened slightly and turned his head to see Evelyn Ross.

She looked up at him, her eyes bright, and smiled. "Let's go home."

Home.

This home no longer had Grandma, but it still had her.

With her here, it was home.

Alexander's Adam's apple bobbed. He responded in a low, hoarse voice, "Okay."

Hand in hand, they walked into the living room, only to see Natalie Castillo sitting on the sofa.

For once, she wasn't cracking sunflower seeds. Her brows were tightly furrowed.

Seeing Evelyn, she immediately stood up. "Stop with the sentimental drama here. Something's happened!"

Evelyn's heart tightened. "What is it?"

Natalie walked up to her and enunciated each word clearly. "Your mother is in trouble."

Evelyn's pupils constricted violently.

She grabbed Natalie's collar, her voice instantly strained to the breaking point. "What happened to my mother?!"

The ferocity and panic in her eyes sent a chill down Natalie's spine.

In that instant, Natalie had no doubt—if anything truly happened to Sophia Ashcroft, the woman before her would make the whole world pay for it.