Editor: Henyee Translations Meanwhile, at the Lowell residence.
Mrs.
Lowell sat comfortably on the living room couch, preparing tea while chatting with Matthias.
“The Ashfords’ eldest daughter is certainly attractive enough,” she said.
“But she wasn’t raised by her parents, and from what I have heard, she never received much of an education.” Mrs.
Lowell wasn’t the type to judge people by their background.
Wealth and social status had never mattered much to her.
Still, she believed education played an important role.
The Lowell family’s standing in Norbright was unmatched.
No one dared claim superiority over them.
Evelyn’s upbringing didn’t concern her, but if two people were worlds apart in education and experience, getting along would inevitably be difficult.
Thinking back to Evelyn’s claim at the restaurant that she had graduated from Northgate University, Mrs.
Lowell shook her head.
“That girl certainly told a bold lie,” she said.
“Still, it’s not a major issue.
If she joins our family, those habits can be corrected with proper guidance.” She handed Matthias a cup of tea.
He accepted it quietly, resting it on his lap, with one hand supporting the saucer while the other rested lightly on the cup.
“She didn’t lie,” Matthias said.
Mrs.
Lowell paused halfway through pouring tea.
Setting the teapot down, she looked at him in surprise.
“What do you mean?
How could you possibly know that?” Matthias didn’t answer immediately.
His gaze settled on a droplet of tea clinging to the edge of his cup, yet his thoughts had already drifted elsewhere Back to the private dining room.
Back to Evelyn.
She had been crouching in front of him, her slender fingers resting lightly on his motionless legs.
Looking up at him with unwavering sincerity as the words escaped her lips.
“I can help you.” They had been complete strangers.
Yet she possessed a strange kind of presence.
Not overwhelming or commanding, but quiet and persistent.
The kind that made others want to believe them.
From the moment she calmly stated that she had graduated from Northgate University, he had never doubted her.
Her eyes had been too clear.
She didn’t seem like someone who lied.
Seeing him fall silent again, Mrs.
Lowell remembered that he and Evelyn had spoken privately for some time.
Perhaps she had said something to him then.
Ever since the accident, Matthias had become increasingly withdrawn.
Most conversations with him lasted only a few sentences before he retreated into silence.
Mrs.
Lowell opened her mouth to ask something, then thought better of it.
In the end, she merely sighed.
It didn’t really matter.
Whether Evelyn had lied or not, she was destined to become her daughter-in-law.
Any shortcomings could be addressed later.
Still, Mrs.
Lowell found it difficult to believe Evelyn’s claim.
When Evelyn had mentioned Northgate University, Isabelle’s shock had been impossible to miss.
Given Isabelle’s love of bragging, if her daughter had truly graduated from Northgate, the entire city would have known years ago.
And if Evelyn truly were that exceptional, why would Isabelle have left her in a rural town instead of keeping her close?
Mrs.
Lowell couldn’t help wondering what exactly Evelyn had said to make even someone as intelligent as Matthias believe her so readily.
Back at the Ashford residence, Evelyn lay on her bed, staring at the newest contact she had just added.
Without much hesitation, she opened the chat window and typed.
Are you home?
When Matthias saw the notification, he frowned slightly.
After a moment, he replied.
Yes.
Evelyn laughed.
Back when he had been pursuing her, he certainly hadn’t been this quiet.
Her profile picture was a blank white image, whilst his was completely black.
For most men, a one-word reply like that would have seemed dismissive.
But Evelyn knew Matthias well.
This wasn’t arrogance.
It was simply who he was.
He had always been reserved around people he didn’t know well.
She quickly sent another message.
Send me your medical records, so I can take a look at them.
Matthias stared at the screen.
Over the past year, the Lowell family had consulted countless world-renowned specialists.
None of them had been able to help him.
It wasn’t that he had stopped hoping.
He had simply been disappointed too many times.
His gaze drifted toward the blanket covering his legs.
Should I really try again?
As he wrestled with the thought, his phone vibrated once more.
A new message appeared.
Trust me.
Just two words.
Yet something stirred unexpectedly inside him.
A faint warmth spread through his chest.
His eyes darkened.
Can I really stand again?
His fingers tapped lightly against the armrest.
I’ve failed so many times already.
One more attempt won’t make much difference.
After a long pause, he finally made his decision.
Five minutes later, Evelyn received the file.
A smile tugged her lips.
I will review everything and discuss a treatment plan with you afterward.
Matthias replied almost immediately.
Okay.
The conversation ended there, as neither sent another message.
Evelyn lay back against her pillow and stared at the ceiling.
Memories surfaced one after another, she couldn’t help typing another question.
Have you really forgotten me?
Back then, she was only a step away from accepting his feelings.
Then everything had changed, and somehow, they had lost contact.
When Matthias saw the question, he remembered their conversation at The Saffron Pavilion.
She had asked him if he remembered what had happened at Greektown years ago.
Frowning, he searched his memory again.
But there was not even the faintest impression.
After a moment, he asked in confusion.
I’m sorry.
Did we know each other before?
I don’t remember anything.
Evelyn wasn’t surprised.
That was exactly what she had expected.
The accident had clearly affected his memory.
The problem was that Matthias himself didn’t realize it.
He probably assumed she had seen him before while he had never actually met her.
The situation was strange.
It was almost as though he had forgotten only her.
For now, there was nothing she could do about it.
One step at a time.
So she replied.
Never mind.
We will talk about it another time.
The memory issue could wait.
His legs were a priority.
Matthias stared at her final message for a long moment, with his lips pressing into a thin line.
That evening, Grace returned home.
Two maids followed behind her carrying towering stacks of medical books that nearly blocked their faces from view.
The books had been written by some of the world’s most respected physicians and researchers.
Grace herself carried an especially thick hardcover book against her chest.
It was clearly her favorite.
The moment she spotted Isabelle in the living room, she hurried over excitedly.
“Mom, look!” She held up the book proudly.
“I have been waiting forever for Dr.
Lynn’s newest publication and it’s finally out.” As she flipped through the pages, her eyes practically sparkled.
“His work is incredible.
Every insight is brilliant.
Honestly, I think he’s practically a modern-day Miracle Healer.” Then her expression became wistful.
“It’s such a shame he’s so mysterious.
Nobody knows anything about him.
No one knows where he’s from, whether he’s a man or a woman, what he looks like–nothing.” She hugged the book tighter.
“We only know the name Lynn.
I wish I could meet someone that amazing just once.” Grace had always been an exceptional student, so academics had never been a concern for Isabelle.
Seeing her daughter work so diligently filled her with pride.
She reached over and affectionately smoothed Grace’s hair.
“You are such a wonderful girl,” Isabelle said warmly.
“Hardworking, obedient, thoughtful.
Everything you do makes me proud.” The Ashford family business would eventually pass to Aric, so Grace didn’t need to learn how to run a company.
As long as she excelled in her chosen field and brought honor to the family, Isabelle was more than satisfied.
Then, unbidden, Evelyn’s face flashed through her mind.
The smile on her face faded.
“Unlike your sister,” she muttered.
“She spends all day finding new ways to give me a headache.” Fortunately, Aric’s injuries had turned out to be minor.
If anything serious had happened to him, Isabelle would never have forgiven Evelyn.
Hearing her mother criticize Evelyn, Grace felt a quiet subtle sense of satisfaction bloom in her chest.