Editor: Henyee Translations Grace carried the conversation alone as Evelyn didn’t respond.
Evelyn had already realized Grace wouldn’t leave without saying her piece, whether Evelyn showed interest or not.
“The Lowell family is incredibly wealthy, but Matthias is crippled now.
I even heard that men who are paralyzed from the waist down… well, they usually have other problems too.” Grace sighed dramatically.
“Eve, I really hope you don’t marry him.
Wouldn’t it be like becoming a widow while your husband’s still alive?” Her voice was full of concern, but Evelyn saw straight through the performance.
Grace wasn’t worried about her at all.
She simply couldn’t stand the thought of Evelyn marrying into the Lowell family.
After all, Grace had once harboured secret feelings for Matthias.
And more importantly, if Evelyn married into the Lowell family, she would enjoy a life of privilege that Grace could never compete with.
Evelyn met her gaze calmly.
“It’s fine if you don’t like me,” Evelyn said.
“You don’t have to pretend you care.” Evelyn watched Grace’s eyes widen before adding evenly, “Because I don’t like you either.” The smile on Grace’s face froze.
She had never expected Evelyn to expose her so bluntly.
For a long moment, she was stunned to say a word.
By the time she recovered, Evelyn was already walking away.
Grace stomped her foot in frustration.
“What’s she so proud of?
She’s so rude!
What a hick!” Unfortunately for Grace, Evelyn hadn’t gone very far.
Hearing the insult, she stopped, turned around, and looked Grace straight in the eye.
“Mom and Dad grew up in a small town, too,” Evelyn said calmly.
“Should I let them know you think people from places like that are hicks?” Grace’s face instantly stiffened.
Under Evelyn’s calm, piercing gaze, she felt every petty thought in her mind had been laid bare.
Her resentment only deepened.
Still, she didn’t dare argue.
Scoffing, she spun around and stormed downstairs.
Not long after Grace disappeared, Isabelle came upstairs.
One look at her expression told Evelyn exactly what could have happened downstairs.
Grace had obviously run straight to their parents, claiming she had been bullied.
“What did you say to Grace?” Isabelle snapped.
She was clearly furious that Evelyn had made her sister cry on the very day she returned home.
Evelyn disliked the accusing tone.
“What did she tell you?” she asked instead.
“I’m asking the questions!” Evelyn’s nonchalance only fueled her mother’s temper.
Years away from home have completely ruined her manners, she thought.
“She called me a hick,” Evelyn answered calmly.
“I reminded her that you and Dad grew up in a small town too.
By her logic, that would make both of you hicks.” “That’s ridiculous.
Grace would never say something so rude.” Isabelle’s voice sharply rose.
“It wasn’t enough that you made your sister cry.
Now you are lying too.
Impressive, Evelyn.
You have learned quite a few tricks.” Evelyn almost laughed.
Her mother had demanded an explanation, only to reject it the moment she heard it.
She had no interest in learning the truth.
She had only wanted confirmation of what she already believed.
Evelyn had never been the type to accept unfair treatment quietly.
In fact, she was remarkably good at getting under people’s skin.
“If you believe I am lying, then fine.
I’m lying.” She shrugged.
“You will believe Grace no matter what I say.
But don’t expect me to apologise.
And if you can’t stand having me here, I can leave right now and go back home.
Or maybe you can make Grace marry Matthias instead.” The words struck exactly where they hurt.
Isabelle’s expression changed instantly.
“You—” Isabelle was so furious she nearly lost control.
But then she remembered why Evelyn had been brought back to Norbright in the first place.
Swallowing her anger with visible effort, she forced herself to stay calm.
She simply couldn’t understand it.
Both girls were her daughters, so why were they so completely different?
Grace was sweet, charming, and considerate.
Every word she spoke seemed carefully chosen to make people smile.
Evelyn, on the other hand, was stubborn, sharp-tongued, and impossible to reason with.
It only confirmed what Isabelle had always believed.
A child who wasn’t raised by your side would never truly become family.
“Get ready,” Isabelle said stiffly.
“We are going out to meet someone.
And change your clothes.
I will have Ms.
Lloyd bring you something appropriate.” Evelyn hadn’t returned to Norbright because of her parents.
The moment she saw the news about Matthias, she recognised him.
As for dressing up, she had no interest in it.
So when she came downstairs a few minutes later, she was still wearing her own clothes.
The moment Isabelle saw her, her face darkened.
“Why didn’t you change?” “Didn’t feel like it.” Evelyn’s answer was casual, almost lazy.
“You…” Only then did Isabelle realize that Evelyn was nothing like the obedient daughter she had imagined.
But securing the marriage alliance mattered far more than winning an argument.
After a long breath, she said, “Fine, if you don’t want to change, then don’t.
Let’s go.” — Meanwhile, Miles was still scrolling through the group chat.
After a moment’s thought, he privately messaged Grace.
What does your sister do for a living?
Grace’s heart skipped a bit.
She had never expected a member of the Lowell family to contact her directly.
Mom says she’s a doctor in a small rural town.
A doctor?
Miles frowned.
At least she will be able to take care of Matthias, he thought.
With that in mind, he reluctantly accepted the fact that she was supposedly unattractive.
The Ashford family planned to present Evelyn as a graduate of Crestview Medical University.
Grace, however, had worked incredibly hard to earn her own admission there and had just recently started enjoying the admiration that came with it.
There was no way she would let Evelyn share that prestige for nothing.
Pretending to add an innocent afterthought, she messaged, “Oh, but she never actually went to college.
She didn’t take the SAT or attend medical school.
She probably just learned a few things from some local doctor back in her town.” “What!” Miles stared at his screen, stunned.
Suddenly, Evelyn’s identity as a doctor seemed highly questionable.
His mood instantly soured.
His brother was a distinguished graduate of Kingswood University.
Marrying an unattractive woman was one thing.
But marrying an unattractive woman with no educational background was something else entirely.
Unable to hold back any longer, Miles immediately texted his brother.
Matthias, please don’t marry Evelyn.
She isn’t worthy of you.
Her sister says she never even went to college.
It’s bad enough she’s unattractive, but she’s uneducated too.
At that moment, Matthias was waiting in a private room at The Saffron Pavilion, an elegant, fine-dining restaurant known for its quiet atmosphere.
Unfortunately, neither he nor Mrs.
Lowell had any interest in appreciating the surroundings.
To Mrs.
Lowell, tonight’s meeting was little more than a transaction.
And to Matthias, it was another reminder of his own helplessness.
When his phone buzzed, he glanced at Mile’s text without any change in expression.
Mrs.
Lowell happened to see it as well.
After a brief silence she closed her eyes.
“Matthias, I’m sorry.
I don’t have another choice.” Only by arranging a marriage and quietly adopting a child could they finally silence the endless rumors.
A faint, self-deprecating smile crossed Matthias’s lips.
I have no right to blame anyone, he thought.
My father’s death was my fault.
My mother has already suffered enough.
After a moment, he replied in just a few words.
Watch your manners.
Miles nearly exploded when he read the message.
Seriously?
He thought.
That’s what he’s worried about right now?
Can he please get his priorities straight?
Meanwhile, Evelyn and Isabelle arrived at The Saffron Pavilion.
Evelyn was tall with long legs.
Even in a pair of flats, she moved with an effortless stride.
Beside her, Isabelle had to hurry in her heels to keep up.