Editor: Henyee Translations Grace’s voice turned stiff with anger.
“Understood.
You can go.” The moment the maid left, the composure she had worked so hard to maintain finally cracked.
With a furious sweep of her arm, she sent the folders scattered across Evelyn’s desk flying to the floor.
Her chest heaved.
Without a second glance, she spun on her heel and stormed out of the room.
By the time she returned to the ballroom, the tension in her face hadn’t eased in the slightest.
Isabelle had just finished greeting a group of guests when she spotted her daughter.
Seeing Grace’s pale complexion, she immediately excused herself and hurried over.
Gently cupping Grace’s cheek, she asked anxiously, “What’s wrong, sweetheart?
You look exhausted.
Are you feeling sick?” It wasn’t an illness.
It was anger.
Pure, burning anger had drained the color from Grace’s face.
Still, she forced herself to swallow it down.
Her lower lip trembled.
Moments later, tears welled in her almond-shaped eyes, making her look heartbreakingly vulnerable.
Isabelle instantly panicked.
“What happened?” she asked.
“Did someone upset you?
Tell me.
I’ll take care of it.” Grace shook her head, her voice soft and trembling.
“No one upset me.
I’m just…
a little sad.” “Sad?” Isabelle frowned.
“Why?” Grace sniffled.
“Today’s my birthday party.
I was so happy because all my friends are here, and it’s the first time our entire family is celebrating together.” She paused, lowering her eyes.
“I went upstairs to invite Evelyn down to cut the cake with me, but…” Her voice broke.
Tears slipped down her cheeks.
Isabelle’s expression immediately hardened.
“And?” Grace looked away.
“I knocked on her door, but nobody answered.
So I went inside.” More tears followed.
“She wasn’t there.” Isabelle’s frown deepened instantly.
Noticing the shift in her mother’s expression, Grace continued in a carefully distressed voice.
“This day means so much to me…” Her shoulders trembled.
“But she just left without saying anything.” She looked up with tear-filled eyes.
“Mom, do you think she doesn’t like me?
Did I do something wrong?
Is that why she’s avoiding me?” Every word sounded painfully sincere.
Every tear appeared genuine.
Isabelle’s heart softened immediately.
Pulling Grace into her arms, she gently stroked her hair.
“Of course not.” Her voice was full of affection.
“You are a wonderful girl.
Anyone would love you.” She glanced toward the staircase with visible irritation.
“This has nothing to do with you.
It’s your sister’s problem.” A trace of contempt entered her voice.
“She grew up without proper guidance.
She doesn’t understand basic manners or respect.” Although they were standing in a relatively quiet corner, a few guests had already begun glancing in their direction.
Isabelle patted Grace’s shoulder.
“Dry your tears.
Everyone’s watching.” Then she added firmly, “Go enjoy your party.
I’ll deal with Evelyn.” Grace obediently wiped her eyes.
“Okay, Mom.” After a brief hesitation, she added softly, “But please don’t be too hard on her.
Maybe she had something important to do.” That apparent kindness only darkened Isabelle’s expression further.
“What could possibly be more important than your birthday?” Her tone sharpened.
“She doesn’t even have a job.” Seeing the anger building in her mother’s eyes, Grace knew exactly what would happen when Evelyn returned home.
The thought finally eased the frustration she had been carrying since Miles failed to show up.
After chatting with her mother a little longer, she composed herself and returned to the party.
Once Grace disappeared into the crowd, Isabelle walked toward a quieter section of the garden and immediately called Evelyn.
At that moment, Evelyn was driving through the city.
The caller ID told her everything before she even answered.
The moment she picked up, Isabelle’s furious voice exploded through the speaker.
“Evelyn Ashford, where are you?
It’s your sister’s birthday party!
Why aren’t you here?
Get back immediately!” Evelyn kept one hand on the steering wheel.
Her tone remained calm, almost amused.
“Grace’s birthday party?” She paused.
“What does that have to do with me?” Isabelle nearly choked on her anger.
This daughter was becoming completely impossible to control.
“She’s your sister!” Isabelle snapped.
“What kind of question is that?
The entire family is here celebrating, and you disappear without saying a word.
Do we need to send you a formal invitation to attend your own family’s gathering?” A cold smile appeared on Evelyn’s lips.
A family gathering?
What a joke.
The entire event was nothing more than a carefully staged performance.
The Ashfords wanted everyone to see how generously they treated the daughter who had grown up away from home.
It was all for appearances.
A polished public image.
Nothing more.
But Evelyn had no interest in exposing their hypocrisy.
Instead, she asked quietly, “You remembered to call me for Grace’s birthday.” Her voice cooled.
“But where were you on mine?” Silence fell.
For a moment, Isabelle had no answer.
A flicker of guilt crossed her face.
It vanished almost instantly.
Evelyn wasn’t surprised.
Her mother’s patience and affection had always belonged exclusively to Grace and her brother.
Never to her.
Her own patience finally ran out.
Her voice turned icy.
“I told you before not to bother me.
What I said wasn’t a warning.
It was a promise.
If you keep harassing me with these pointless, annoying issues, I will make sure none of you get what you want.” Before Isabelle could respond, Evelyn ended the call.
The line went dead.
Isabelle stared at her phone in stunned silence.
When reality finally sank in, fury surged through her.
“How dare she talk to me like that…” Her grip tightened around the phone until her knuckles turned white.
If not for the birthday party still underway, she would have immediately sent someone to drag Evelyn home.
Meanwhile, less than ten minutes later, Evelyn’s phone rang again.
Assuming Isabelle had found another number to continue her lecture, she glanced at the screen.
Her expression softened slightly.
It wasn’t Isabelle.
It was one of her former patients.
She answered immediately.
“Hello, Mr.
Wright.” A slightly hoarse elderly voice came through the speaker.
“Dr.
Ashford, are you still overseas?” Evelyn smiled faintly.
“No.
I’m back in Norbright.” “Wonderful!” The old man sounded genuinely delighted.
“What a coincidence.
I’m in Norbright too.” Then his tone became serious.
“My old leg injury has flared up again.
The pain was so bad earlier that I nearly passed out.” He sighed.
“I called another doctor, but the treatment didn’t help.
And I have run out of the medication you prescribed.” After a brief pause, he asked hopefully, “Would you be willing to come take a look?” Evelyn didn’t hesitate.
She had no intention of returning home anytime soon.
And regardless of what was happening in her personal life, her patients always came first.
“Of course.” She switched on her turn signal.
“Send me the address.” Mr.
Wright quickly sent it over.
A few seconds later, Evelyn entered the destination into her GPS.
The black sedan smoothly accelerated down the highway toward its new destination.