Chapter 685

Alexander Vance frowned slightly.

Evelyn Ross glanced at him and gave a small nod.

She had already called her father, Mr. Valentine, and her martial arts master, Joseph Cortez.

Both sides had reacted swiftly.

Now, only Alexander's stance remained unclear.

Evelyn leaned closer, about to explain.

But Alexander spoke first.

"When you're in trouble, some people will kick you while you're down."

"Others will cut ties to protect themselves."

"But someone has to stand up for you."

"My reputation as a 'hopeless romantic' is already well-known."

"I might as well live up to it completely."

Evelyn fell silent.

He had a point.

Deliberately distancing themselves for public perception would seem insincere.

If all three families issued statements denying involvement simultaneously, it would look too staged.

It would seem like an act.

Evelyn cleared her throat softly.

She lowered her voice.

"Then... I'm putting you in an awkward position?"

"How can serving my wife be considered awkward?"

Alexander replied with a quiet chuckle.

Their whispered exchange was observed by Richard Evans.

He immediately sneered.

"Dad, see that?"

"Second Brother is completely bewitched by this little enchantress!"

"He doesn't care about the Vance Group's reputation at all!"

Robert Vance's brow was deeply furrowed.

"Alexander Vance, if you don't cut ties with her, get out of this house!"

Alexander took a step forward, ready to shield Evelyn behind him.

He prepared to state his position firmly.

But a sharp crack interrupted him.

He turned to look.

Eleanor Vance was leaning on her cane, trembling as she stood up.

Her face was filled with anger as she glared at Robert and Richard.

Eleanor didn't know the full story yet.

She was genuinely furious.

Her chest heaved with emotion.

She pointed a finger at the father and son.

"You two, shut your mouths!"

She took a step forward with her cane, pointing directly at Robert.

"Is this how I raised you?"

"Husband and wife are one!"

"If everyone abandons ship at the first sign of trouble, who in this family can be trusted?!"

Robert was speechless.

Eleanor turned to Richard.

"And you!"

"To be so cold-hearted!"

"At the slightest problem, you want to wash your hands of someone and cast them aside!"

"With character like this, you still pester me for shares all day?"

"How could I ever entrust the Vance Group to you?!"

Richard stiffened his neck in protest.

"Grandma, that's not fair!"

"Look at the Valentine family and the Cortez Sect!"

"Didn't they both cut ties?"

"Her own family and her master have abandoned her."

"Why should the Vance Group be dragged down by her?"

Eleanor took a deep breath.

"I can't control others."

"But I can control you!"

"In my eyes, Evelyn is my granddaughter-in-law."

"I've accepted her!"

"You two, get out of here right now!"

"From now on, no one is to mention cutting ties again!"

Robert frowned.

"Mom, do you know how terrifying the public opinion is right now?"

"The Valentine Group's stock price has already dropped ten percent!"

"Our Vance Group is being torn apart online today!"

"If we don't distance ourselves, the public might boycott our products!"

Richard immediately pulled out his phone.

"Grandma, your eyesight isn't great."

"Let me read some online comments for you."

"'I thought the Valentine Group was really going to aid the villain. I'd already turned from a fan to a critic.'"

"'But they came out so quickly to deny involvement. My respect for them is back.'"

"'The Valentine Group's stock dropped ten percent. They've finally realized their mistake.'"

"'Who's going to wake up next? @VanceGroup, I hear this Miss Ross is your CEO's fiancée!'"

"'The Vance Group still hasn't made a statement.'"

"'Reporters even photographed Miss Ross currently living at the Vance residence.'"

"'Looks like the Vance Group is determined to protect her.'"

"'Blocked. Blocked!'"

"'Oh, the crackers I usually eat are from their company. I won't buy them anymore.'"

"'I've already requested refunds for everything I just bought online!'"

"'If I could return the house, I definitely would. The cost is just a bit high...'"

Comments like these flooded the internet.

The whole web was buzzing about the incident.

Robert stated bluntly.

"Mom, did you hear that?"

"The entire internet is condemning the Vance Group right now!"

"If we don't respond, the stock will definitely plummet when the market opens tomorrow morning!"

Eleanor was resolute.

"Let it plummet!"

"Since Alexander took over the Vance Group, the stock price has risen twenty percent!"

"So what if it drops ten percent?"

Robert was speechless.

He wanted to argue further.

But Eleanor waved her hand impatiently, shooing them away.

"Get out!"

"Both of you, get out of here!"

"Don't embarrass yourselves here!"

Robert and Richard exchanged a look.

They sighed heavily and left in a huff.

After the two had gone, Eleanor looked at Evelyn.

Her voice softened.

"Evelyn, don't be afraid."

"As long as Grandma is here, no one can make things difficult for you."

Evelyn walked over to the elderly lady.

She linked her arm with Eleanor's.

"Grandma, I know."

"Don't you worry either."

"My situation will be resolved in four days."

She didn't want Eleanor to worry.

The elderly lady was getting on in years.

She couldn't handle too much stress.

Eleanor's eyes immediately brightened.

She relaxed and gently patted Evelyn's hand.

"I knew it."

"You're not a child who can't tell right from wrong."

"There must be circumstances we don't know about."

"But in this life, all we seek is a clear conscience."

"Don't pay any mind to other people's idle gossip."

Evelyn nodded firmly.

At that moment, Natalie Castillo came downstairs.

She held her phone and looked at Evelyn.

"Spencer Valentine sent a message."

"He says he and his brothers are outside the gate."

Outside the Vance family gate, all the Valentine brothers except Marcus Valentine had arrived.

Ethan Valentine was the most familiar with Evelyn.

His brow was deeply furrowed.

He stepped forward.

"First Senior Sister, I understand you."

"Grace is your best friend."

"Her grandfather is in trouble, so it's understandable you'd stand up for her..."

"What you did wasn't right."

"But Third Uncle can't just kick you out of the family like this, can he?"

"Hurry back and say a few nice words to Third Uncle."

"Apologize and yield a little!"

Evelyn was about to speak.

Another car sped over.

The door opened.

Mr. Valentine stepped out.

He strode over with large steps.

The brothers immediately stood up straight.

They watched as Mr. Valentine walked up to them.

He glared fiercely at Evelyn.

"You, come with me!"

Evelyn nodded obediently.

She followed Mr. Valentine as he walked to the side.

The brothers watched as the two moved away.

Ethan was confused.

"Is Third Uncle going to scold our cousin?"

"Let's go try to talk him out of it."

Spencer spoke up.

"Third Uncle usually dotes on our cousin so much."

"Suddenly kicking her out of the family might just be to appease the shareholders."

"He probably won't really scold her, right?"

As soon as he finished speaking, they saw Mr. Valentine's face darken.

"What's going on with you?"

His tone was extremely harsh.

Spencer and Ethan immediately panicked.

They hurried forward two steps, shielding Evelyn behind them.

Ethan put on a pleading smile.

"Third Uncle, let's talk this out properly..."

Spencer also nodded repeatedly.

"Yes, yes, Third Uncle."

"Our cousin is a girl."

"You can't hit her..."