Chapter 831

Evelyn glanced at Joanna.

Then she looked past her to Natalie Castillo, who was eavesdropping with ears perked up.

These two were truly incorrigible gossips.

She gave a helpless tug at the corner of her mouth and spoke slowly.

"I suppose it's because his body developed. His Adam's apple became prominent. Continuing to impersonate a woman would have risked exposure."

Joanna's face lit up with sudden understanding.

Natalie smacked her own forehead.

"Why didn't I think of that!"

Evelyn gave them both a look of utter exasperation before turning to leave.

There were still over ten days before the Sterling Family gates would open.

She needed to make some preparations in advance.

What kind of place was the Sterling Family exactly?

Joanna, Natalie, even Elian Cross—they all remained tight-lipped about it.

This only fueled her curiosity.

And stirred a faint sense of unease within her.

Returning to her room, she found Alexander Vance buried in work.

Evelyn walked over and asked softly.

"Why have you been so busy lately?"

"Hmm. I need to arrange all the work for the next month in advance."

Alexander explained without looking up.

Evelyn understood his meaning immediately.

He intended to accompany her back to the Sterling Family.

But the Sterling Family was likely isolated from the outside world.

He had to settle all his affairs beforehand...

Evelyn was silent for a moment.

She walked over and stood before him.

"Don't come with me to the Sterling Family this time."

Alexander's fingers, which had been typing, abruptly stilled.

He lifted his head, his gaze heavy as it settled on her.

"Why?"

Evelyn spoke slowly.

"This is my first time going to the Sterling Family. I have no idea what it's like inside. I want to see if my mother is safe. But I can't guarantee I won't be discovered. If they find out I'm not Grace Sterling, I might be trapped there. If you go too, who will rescue me from the outside?"

Alexander refused outright.

"No."

Evelyn was taken aback.

Alexander stood up.

His tall frame completely enveloped her in shadow.

"Evelyn, do you know how I endured those days in San Francisco when I thought you were dead? I will not bear that kind of pain alone again."

Evelyn sighed.

She had expected him to say this.

But she still wanted to confirm it one more time.

Seeing his resolute attitude, she could only nod.

"Alright. Then we go together."

"Yes. Whether in life or death, we stay together."

Alexander gave her a light hug.

Then he sat back down behind his desk.

"We don't know how long this trip will take. I need to get all my work in order. As for other matters... don't worry. I've left contingencies."

Evelyn nodded.

Alexander continued his work.

Evelyn had long since handed over the management of her company to others.

With nothing to do, she decided to go find Joanna.

As she passed Natalie's room, the door suddenly opened.

"Where are you going?"

Evelyn was somewhat surprised.

"How did you know it was me?"

Natalie blinked.

"I recognized your footsteps. Joanna's room is just past mine. Are you going to see her?"

She was holding a handful of sunflower seeds.

But now, even the seeds seemed to lose their flavor.

"You have a new friend, so you don't love me anymore?"

The corner of Evelyn's mouth twitched.

"I just wanted to ask about the Sterling Family."

Natalie pouted, unhappy.

"I could tell you about it too~"

Evelyn looked at her.

When this girl first started following her, she was quite aloof.

She refused to say anything about the Sterling Family.

Now, was she feeling threatened?

Natalie's personality was naive and lively.

Her eyes were clear, seemingly easy to read.

But Evelyn always felt she was actually a little fox.

Unfathomable.

"Then come with me," Evelyn said.

"If Joanna's explanation isn't detailed enough, you can fill in the gaps."

"Okay!"

Natalie was about to step out, then suddenly stopped.

"Wait for me a moment."

She ducked back into her room.

Evelyn didn't wait.

She walked directly to Preston Valentine's room and knocked.

There was an immediate rustling sound from inside.

Then Joanna opened the door, her cheeks flushed.

"Evelyn? What is it?"

"I wanted to ask about the Sterling Family. But you seem... occupied?"

Evelyn could vaguely see red marks on Joanna's neck.

Joanna cleared her throat softly.

"I am a bit occupied. Maybe we could wait..."

Before she could finish, Natalie came rushing over, dragging a bag of snacks.

She was wearing rabbit-patterned pajamas and fluffy slippers.

As she rushed over, she said, "Is the lion busy? Evelyn, ask me anything you don't understand! I'm free! Spencer isn't coming back tonight!"

Joanna, who had been about to decline, immediately changed her tune.

"I'm free!"

She absolutely could not let the fox earn all the brownie points with the rabbit alone!

With that thought, she stepped out of the room.

"Let's talk in the fox's room!"

Evelyn had realized her timing was off the moment she knocked.

With her fifth brother at home, this wasn't a good time to visit Joanna.

So she nodded.

The three of them, dragging a large bag of snacks, made their way to Spencer Valentine's room.

This was Evelyn's first time entering her seventh brother's room.

It was clear Spencer was a neat, meticulous, academically-minded person.

The room exuded a sense of order.

The study area, part of the suite, had bookshelves covering three walls.

They were filled with professional books on physics and other subjects.

But in this serious space, there was a jarringly out-of-place pink snack cabinet.

There were also several white fluffy throw pillows and toys.

Clearly Natalie's additions.

Even more exaggerated, the books in the study were now piled in a corner.

The bookshelves were crammed with snacks!

It was as if something had forcefully barged into Spencer's life.

And Natalie was completely oblivious.

As soon as she entered, she hugged a white fluffy toy and jumped onto the black leather sofa.

She sat cross-legged.

Pulled a snack cart in front of her.

Then pulled out a small tea table from the other side.

The tea was already brewed.

She gestured with a hostess's air.

"Sit, everyone, sit!"

Evelyn found the room amusing.

She sat on a small sofa next to Natalie.

Joanna looked around, her lips twitching as she glanced at Natalie.

"Don't you think you've completely disrupted Spencer's life?"

"Have I?"

Natalie looked utterly innocent.

"I think we're quite compatible!"

Joanna rolled her eyes, speechless.

Evelyn cut in.

"Alright. We're going to the Sterling Family soon. I came to you to understand the situation there."