Chapter 706

Alexander Vance's brow furrowed.

He moved in a flash, blocking Richard Evans's path.

His voice was cold as ice. "Dare to disturb Grandmother's rest, and I'll break your leg right now. Believe me?"

Richard Evans felt his breath catch under the oppressive aura radiating from Alexander.

He froze in place.

He had never seen Alexander like this.

In their eyes, Alexander had always been formidable but bound by rules. Ruthless, yet never crossing the line.

But the Alexander standing before him now had a turbulent, almost violent darkness swirling in his eyes.

He seemed like a demon escaped from hell, ready to tear everything in his path to shreds.

Richard's legs went weak. He nearly stumbled and fell.

Evelyn Ross stepped forward quickly.

She gently grasped Alexander's hand.

It was icy and tense, but at her touch, its grip loosened slightly.

The murderous intent surrounding Alexander visibly receded a few degrees.

It was as if he was being pulled back from the brink of losing control.

Evelyn had long sensed that Alexander was far from simple.

His actions domestically seemed rule-bound. Within the Vance family, he mostly followed reason.

But deep down, he harbored a nearly obsessive dark side.

That darkness had always been gently yet firmly restrained by Eleanor Vance.

It made him appear "normal."

But what if Grandmother was gone?

Once that "tight restraint" binding him disappeared, what would Alexander become?

Evelyn suddenly remembered Eleanor Vance tightly holding her hand, whispering, "If I go, Alexander will have no family left in this world... He won't be able to bear it."

She had thought then that Grandmother meant a psychological breakdown.

Now she abruptly understood—perhaps there was more.

Recalling Alexander's time in Aldoria, how he said he'd send someone back and did so safely.

Even that trip out to sea seemed as calm as a vacation.

Thinking of his nightly cross-border meetings, speaking languages she didn't understand, his expression focused and profound...

She suddenly realized she might never have truly seen Alexander clearly.

Evelyn's fingertips trembled slightly.

She instinctively wanted to let go of his hand.

The next second, the man's grip tightened even more forcefully.

Alexander closed his eyes briefly.

When he opened them again, his usual cold composure had returned.

He looked at Richard Evans, his tone leaving no room for doubt. "I will allow your branch to come and 'entertain Grandmother.' But if Cecilia dares to mention shares again or stir up family discord, don't blame me for being harsh. Additionally, if Grandmother says to leave, you leave immediately. Anyone who dares to linger—"

He paused, his gaze sharp as a blade. "I will handle it personally."

This was already a concession.

Richard Evans secretly sighed in relief and hurriedly agreed. "Yes, yes."

He turned and walked away quickly.

Only when he was far off did he realize his back was soaked with cold sweat.

"Richard, how did it go?"

Lillian Evans's gentle voice came from beside him.

Richard snapped back to reality and looked at her. "It's settled. Starting tomorrow, you and Cecilia will go morning and evening to pay your respects."

He sighed and took Lillian's hand. "The Dowager has never favored our branch. When you go... you'll probably face some humiliation."

Lillian gave a soft smile, but her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "For you, what's a little humiliation? I've been without status all these years outside. What kind of scorn haven't I endured? I'm used to it."

Richard's heart softened, filled with guilt. "Lillian, these years... you've suffered."

"It's nothing."

Cecilia Evans walked over at the right moment and interjected softly. "Mom, why have you never told Dad about the grievances you faced outside?"

Lillian immediately frowned. "Cecilia, don't speak nonsense."

But Richard pressed on. "What grievances?"

Cecilia lowered her head, her voice choked. "Before, when Mrs. Evans went out, she always told the society ladies that Mom was a mistress... She even had stores bar Mom from shopping. Every time Mom wanted to attend a tea party or flower viewing, Mrs. Evans deliberately brought people to ostracize and insult her... All these years, Mom has just been waiting in an empty house, day after day, hoping for your visits."

Richard's face instantly darkened. "That vicious woman! I explicitly told her to treat you better!"

Cecilia wiped the corner of her eye. "Mom didn't want to cause trouble. She always avoided Mrs. Evans. But no matter how she hid, there were times they crossed paths... Then, Mrs. Evans would gather a crowd to surround and berate Mom, calling her a homewrecker, calling me a love child..."

Lillian gently pulled Cecilia, her voice trembling. "Don't say anymore... In matters of the heart, the one who isn't loved is the third party. Reputation... I never cared about it."

Cecilia looked up, her eyes red. "Mom, you may not care, but what about me? In my husband's family, people always bring up 'love child' to shame me..."

Lillian's tears finally fell.

She raised a hand to wipe them away, her voice choked. "You silly child... Do they... give you a hard time in the Truman family because of this too?"