Chapter 469

Evelyn Ross's eyes narrowed, a sharp glint flashing in their depths.

She suddenly understood.

Turning to Amelia Lopez, she spoke urgently. "Aunt Amelia, something urgent has come up. I must leave."

Amelia was taken aback. "Grace, you—"

Before she could finish, Evelyn had already turned and was walking away quickly.

Mrs. Evans scoffed coldly at Amelia. "Is this the sincerity you brought? The younger generation truly has no respect these days!"

Amelia's expression was serious. "Grace is not that kind of person. My third brother has impeccable character. His daughter would never be lacking. Sister-in-law, are you truly willing to pit the Evans family against the Valentines completely over Jason?"

A conflict between the two families would only result in mutual destruction.

With rumors spreading and the Valentine stock price falling, how could the Evans family emerge unscathed?

Amelia's jaw tightened. "Is there truly no room for negotiation?"

Mrs. Evans sighed. "Jason has found a lead on Belle. This is a debt the main family must repay."

Amelia shook her head. "Sister-in-law, I must speak plainly. This entire matter is the fault of Justin and Jason. If Justin is not disciplined, Grace will not spare him for my sake next time. The Valentines will not show any leniency."

She turned to leave but paused at the door.

Looking back at Mrs. Evans, her tone was grave. "Among the girls they bullied, there was a pitiful one named Jane Evans. When you condoned their bullying of Jane, did you ever think of Belle? How despairing would it be if Belle encountered such a family?"

Mrs. Evans sat up straight, her face turning ashen.

She stared daggers at Amelia, as if hearing the most vicious curse.

Amelia sighed softly. "Put yourself in their shoes. If only for Belle's sake, you should accumulate more good karma."

Mrs. Evans clenched her fists, sneering. "How dare that lowlife compare to my Belle? Stop with your scare tactics!"

Amelia shook her head. "I know Belle was taken by poor people, and you hate all who are poor. But the fault lies with the traffickers, not the poor. Sister-in-law, you—"

"Enough!" Mrs. Evans screamed hoarsely. "Those poor wretches would do anything for money! Why should I show them mercy? If not for their greed, my Belle would never have been taken!"

Her voice was filled with pain, the never-healed wound torn open once more.

Seeing this, Amelia knew further words were useless and silently turned to leave.

She had witnessed her sister-in-law's obsession far too many times.

The Evans family was once passionate about charity.

But in recent years, her sister-in-law wouldn't even bother with the pretense.

She said the poor are lazy.

That they are rotten to the core and deserve to live like animals!

Amelia thought of this as she walked toward the parking lot.

…

After leaving the Evans residence, Evelyn immediately took a taxi to Jane Evans's place.

Neither Jane nor John Evans was home.

She called John. "Where are you?"

John's voice was cheerful. "I'll be right back."

"Okay, I'll wait."

Ten minutes later, John appeared, limping.

Evelyn looked behind him. "Where's Jane?"

John smiled. "She went to the market. We have good news today. The Nora Research Institute accepted her. We plan to celebrate. She specifically went to buy chicken wings to make her special cola wings for you."

Evelyn was happy for them but didn't forget her purpose.

She took out her phone and pulled up the jade pendant advertisement the Evans family had released. "Do you recognize this?"

John was stunned. "Isn't this Jane's jade pendant?"