Chapter 826

The Valentine household was a flurry of activity.

Servants hurried about, wiping down every inch of the estate.

The air smelled of disinfectant, mixed with the fresh scent of flowers.

Today was a special day.

King Alistair Montgomery was coming to visit.

The Truman family had also sent people to assist.

This involved diplomacy, after all. There was no room for the slightest oversight.

In the kitchen, the specialist sent by the Truman family was meticulously inspecting each dish.

From the freshness of the ingredients to the presentation on the plate, he examined everything.

When Evelyn Ross led Chloe Davis down the stairs, this was the scene of rigorous preparation she saw.

She handed a tablet to Chloe.

The screen lit up, playing an old video.

The woman in the video had gentle eyes and a soft smile. She was holding a young Chloe, humming a lullaby.

Little Chloe's eyes instantly lit up.

"Mommy!" She pointed at the screen. "When Daddy gets here, I'll show him this!"

Evelyn gently ruffled her hair.

"Okay."

She remembered what Elian Cross had said.

Alistair Montgomery remembered those eyes.

He said they held a gentleness and resolve he had never seen before.

Evelyn knew she couldn't imitate that.

Her sister Grace had something unique in her gaze—a resilience hidden within timidity, strength woven into gentleness.

That was Grace's essence.

Just like how Mina Sherwood could tell the sisters apart at a glance.

Anyone who knew Grace well could see the difference in their eyes.

But it didn't matter now.

After returning to the Valentine family, Evelyn had gradually stopped pretending.

Even if old acquaintances saw her, they would just think Grace had grown more confident after being reunited with her family.

No one knew a different soul now inhabited this body.

"Go wait on the sofa," Evelyn said softly.

Little Chloe hugged the tablet and obediently went to sit on the living room sofa.

She stared intently at the front door, her small face filled with anticipation.

Natalie Castillo and Joanna Sterling walked over.

"You're acting strange today," Joanna said bluntly. "You were so indifferent to Alistair Montgomery before. Why are you making such a big deal about his visit now?"

Evelyn raised an eyebrow. "Wasn't it you who told me to get closer to him and win him over?"

"Please." Joanna scoffed. "Since when does Evelyn Ross try to win people over? I'd believe in ghosts first."

Natalie, who had somehow produced a handful of sunflower seeds, cracked them as she studied Evelyn.

She walked a circle around the living room, finally stopping by a potted plant in the corner.

"What are you doing?" Joanna asked.

"Finding the best viewing spot," Natalie said with a grin. "I have a feeling there's going to be a good show today."

Joanna rolled her eyes but dragged a chair over to sit down.

The two of them sat side by side in the corner, like an audience waiting for a movie to start.

Not long after, the sound of a car engine came from outside.

Evelyn and Alexander Vance got up to greet their guest at the parking area.

Alistair Montgomery stepped out of the car, still maintaining an air of polite distance.

But compared to before, his attitude had clearly softened considerably.

After all, his cooperation with Mr. Valentine was finalized. His attitude toward the Valentine family was naturally different.

"Where is little Chloe?" Alistair asked.

"Waiting for you in the living room," Evelyn said with a smile. "It's cold. We didn't want the child to come out and risk catching a chill."

Alistair nodded. "That's very considerate of you."

The three of them walked toward the main house.

Evelyn suddenly spoke. "Actually, Chloe is not my daughter."

Alistair's steps faltered. "What?"

"She is my sister's daughter," Evelyn said calmly. "My sister and I are identical twins."

She decided to clarify things in advance.

To avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings during the reunion later.

For example, if a certain king got overly emotional and insisted on taking "the child's mother" back to his country.

She had no time for that.

Alistair was silent for a moment. "You have a sister?"

"Yes," Evelyn nodded. "We look alike, but our eyes are different."

She said no more and pushed open the door to the living room.

Little Chloe had been waiting impatiently.

As soon as the door opened, she flew into Alistair's arms like a little swallow.

"Daddy!" She looked up at him, her voice clear and bright. "You're finally here!"

Alistair smiled. "Calling me Daddy again."

"You are my daddy!" Chloe stated with absolute certainty. "Mommy told me since I was little, you're my daddy!"

Alistair froze.

He looked at Evelyn.

Evelyn gave a slight shake of her head.

Alistair immediately understood—the child was too young. She had mixed up the twin sisters.

He knelt down and asked gently, "Then what does your mommy look like?"

"I have a video!" Chloe said excitedly, holding up the tablet. "Look, Daddy!"

The screen lit up.

The woman in the video held a child. Her eyes were so gentle they seemed to melt.

They were the eyes from Alistair's memory.

Exactly the same.

His breath caught in his throat.