Chapter 708

Evelyn's fingers tightened slightly around her phone.

A processed, electronic female voice came through the receiver, tinged with mockery.

"Professor Nathaniel Wright, you were the one who took him, weren't you?"

Evelyn raised an eyebrow, her tone flat.

"What if I was? What if I wasn't?"

"Quite capable," Scarlett chuckled, the laughter distorted through the voice changer, sounding eerie.

"But do you think gaining a foothold in the United States means you can contend with me? I've been operating in Aldoria for years. My roots run far deeper than you imagine."

"And so?" Evelyn's voice remained unperturbed.

"And so, I will swallow your forces," Scarlett said, each word deliberate.

"That's the rule of the Sterling Family heir competition—winner takes all, loser is out. Returning to the Sterling Family with the newly consolidated power, that's the final outcome."

Evelyn's gaze darkened.

So that was it.

The Sterling Family's expanding influence over the years was likely fueled by this internal, cutthroat competition, constantly absorbing fresh blood.

She turned her head to look at Alexander beside her.

Alexander had already picked up another phone, his fingers swiftly moving across the screen, clearly tracing the signal source.

Evelyn deliberately slowed her speech.

"How do you plan to swallow them? Perhaps... we could discuss cooperation?"

"Hah." Scarlett scoffed.

"I'm making this call to give you a chance. I know you've teamed up with the Fox—though I haven't uncovered who the Fox is yet. But if you're willing to help me eliminate the Fox, I might consider letting you submit to me."

"Eliminate the Fox?"

Evelyn's gaze drifted almost imperceptibly toward Natalie, who was not far away.

Natalie was leaning against the window, looking at the scenery, when she suddenly felt a chill on the back of her neck.

She instinctively touched her neck and turned around, meeting Evelyn's meaningful gaze.

A faint curve lifted the corner of Evelyn's lips.

"Sounds interesting. But how do I know you won't discard me once the bridge is crossed, after I eliminate the Fox?"

"You can come to Aldoria to see me," Scarlett said.

"Face-to-face talks should put your mind at ease, right?"

Evelyn looked at Alexander.

Alexander gave a slight nod.

"I need time to consider," Evelyn said, then decisively ended the call.

She immediately turned to Alexander.

"Did you get a location?"

Alexander turned his phone screen toward her.

"They used a VoIP service, routed through multiple layers of encryption and hops. The real IP is deeply hidden. This level of technology... unless it's a top-tier hacker, it's very difficult to trace back to a specific person."

Evelyn nodded.

She was proficient in this field herself and understood the difficulty.

"But at least we can lock down a general region," Alexander added.

"The signal source isn't in Aldoria."

Evelyn's pupils contracted.

"In the United States?"

"Yes."

Evelyn took a deep breath.

"She's got nerve."

Scarlett's main base was in Aldoria.

Yet now she herself was lurking in the United States. This was akin to venturing alone deep into enemy territory.

Evelyn pressed her lips together.

Natalie was right—for people like them, exposure was the greatest taboo.

Now the enemy was in the dark, they were in the light. Every step felt like walking on thin ice.

Alexander gently patted her shoulder.

"Don't worry. Even though we don't know who she is, since she's in the United States, we have the home-field advantage. Let's wait for her to show herself."

Evelyn nodded.

"That's all we can do. But during this time, everyone needs to be extra careful when going out."

"Don't worry," Alexander's tone was steady.

"Security is strict in the United States. She won't dare act recklessly."

The next morning.

Evelyn had breakfast with Eleanor and was preparing to go out.

Although it was said to be an investment for Julian, since it was a partnership, she couldn't completely be a hands-off manager.

Today, she had scheduled the first board meeting with Julian. Some details needed to be finalized in person.

She had just reached the foyer when she saw Julian walking in from outside.

Evelyn was somewhat surprised.

"What are you doing here?"

Julian looked slightly awkward.

"I came to see Great-Grandmother."

After leaving the oppressive environment of the main branch of the Vance family, Julian had suddenly realized many things.

Before, Richard had always complained about Great-Grandmother's favoritism, which led Julian to maintain a distance from the elder.

But yesterday, Fiona had quietly slipped him a bank card containing a hundred thousand dollars.

It was from Great-Grandmother, meant to be passed on.

Great-Grandmother clearly didn't know yet that Evelyn had already invested in his project, but she had still, in her own way, silently given him support.

Julian suddenly remembered an incident from his childhood.

Back then, he had sneaked into Great-Grandmother's courtyard—his father had always portrayed Great-Grandmother as terrifying, but what he saw that time was a kind old lady.

Great-Grandmother had smiled and beckoned him over, even sharing the small cookies in her hand with him.

The cookies were very sweet.

But when he returned home, Richard had beaten him, sternly warning him never to go again.

From then on, he had always kept his distance from Great-Grandmother, but he had never truly resented her.

Julian walked up to Eleanor and respectfully bowed his head.

"Great-Grandmother, I came to see you."

Eleanor was drinking tea. Hearing this, she lifted her eyes, her gaze gentle.

"It's good that you came. Have a seat."

Julian sat down on the chair opposite her, placing his hands on his knees, appearing somewhat nervous.

Evelyn stood to the side, quietly watching this scene.

She didn't interrupt, turning instead to the walk-in closet to get her coat.

When she returned, Julian had already exchanged a few words of small talk with Eleanor.

The atmosphere was more harmonious than expected.

Seeing Evelyn ready to leave, Julian stood up.

"Evelyn, let me drive you? I'm heading to the company anyway."

Evelyn thought for a moment and nodded.

"Alright."

The two walked out of the Vance family estate together.

The morning sun filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows. The air carried the freshness of grass and trees.

After getting in the car, Julian gripped the steering wheel and suddenly spoke.

"Evelyn, thank you."

Evelyn paused while fastening her seatbelt.

"For what?"

"For being willing to believe in me, for giving me this opportunity," Julian said, looking straight ahead, his voice soft.

"And thank you... for not completely writing me off because of what happened before."

Evelyn looked out the window at the rapidly receding streetscape and didn't respond.

The car was quiet for a moment.

Julian spoke again.

"I've arranged everything for the board meeting. Several shareholders will be present. I've also revised the project proposal. You can take a look in a bit."

"Mhm," Evelyn acknowledged.

The car smoothly merged into the main road.

The morning rush hour traffic moved slowly. The radio played cheerful morning music.

Evelyn suddenly asked.

"How has Richard been lately?"

Julian was silent for a few seconds before saying.

"Same as always. Stays in his room all day, won't see anyone."

Evelyn didn't ask further.

Some knots in the heart could only be untied with time.

When the car arrived at the company building, Julian parked but didn't immediately unbuckle his seatbelt.

He turned to look at Evelyn.

"Evelyn, I will work hard."

Evelyn pushed the car door open and glanced back at him.

"I know."

She turned and walked into the building.

Her slender, upright figure was reflected in the glass doors.

Julian sat in the car, watching her back disappear behind the revolving door, then slowly let out a breath.

He clenched his fist, a determined light appearing in his eyes.

This time, he couldn't let anyone down again.

The board meeting proceeded smoothly.

Julian's preparations were thorough. The project proposal was well-organized, with clear and detailed data.

The shareholders, who initially had some reservations, nodded in approval after hearing his presentation.

Evelyn sat in the main seat throughout, speaking little, only occasionally raising a few key questions.

Her presence alone was a form of intangible support.

After the meeting ended, Julian saw the shareholders off, while Evelyn remained in the conference room, flipping through the documents in her hand.

Her phone vibrated.

She took it out and looked. It was a message from Alexander:

«Dinner at home tonight? Grandma says she made the soup you like.»

The corner of Evelyn's lips lifted as she replied:

«Okay.»

Just as she put down her phone, there was a knock on the conference room door.

The secretary peeked in.

"Ms. Ross, there's a Ms. Zhao here to see you. She says she's an old acquaintance."

Evelyn frowned.

"Ms. Zhao?"

She didn't recall any old acquaintances with the surname Zhao.

"Please show her in."

A moment later, an elegant middle-aged woman in a beige suit walked in.

She appeared to be in her fifties, with delicate makeup and a proper smile.

"Evelyn, it's been a long time," the woman proactively extended her hand.

Evelyn stood up and shook her hand.

"You are?"

"My name is Yvonne Zhao," the woman smiled.

"You probably don't remember me. Many years ago, I met your mother."

Evelyn's gaze sharpened.

Yvonne Zhao took a slightly yellowed photo from her handbag and gently placed it on the table.

In the photo, two young women stood side by side under a crabapple tree, their smiles brilliant.

One of them was Evelyn's mother as she remembered her.

"This is..." Evelyn picked up the photo, her fingertips trembling slightly.

"Your mother and I were university classmates," Yvonne Zhao's voice was soft.

"Later, she married into the Sterling Family, and we lost contact. Until a few days ago, I happened to hear you were looking for clues about the Sterling Family, so I took the liberty of coming to find you."

Evelyn looked up, meeting her eyes directly.

"What do you know?"

Yvonne Zhao sighed.

"I don't know much either. But there's one thing I think you should know—your mother didn't leave the Sterling Family willingly back then."

Evelyn's heart clenched violently.

"She was forced out," Yvonne Zhao lowered her voice.

"The one who forced her was the current head of the Sterling Family—Kingsley Sterling."

The air in the conference room seemed to instantly freeze.

Evelyn tightened her grip on the photo, her knuckles turning white.

She heard her own voice, calm to the point of sounding unfamiliar:

"Why?"

Yvonne Zhao shook her head.

"I don't know the specific reason. But I know your mother had something in her possession that Kingsley Sterling always wanted to obtain. That thing... seems to be related to a secret of the Sterling Family."

"What thing?"

"I don't know," Yvonne Zhao smiled bitterly.

"Your mother never told me. She only said that thing was very important, important enough... to overturn the entire Sterling Family."

Evelyn was silent for a long time.

The sunlight outside the window filtered through the blinds, casting shifting patterns of light and shadow on her face.

"Thank you for telling me this," she finally spoke, her voice calm.

"You didn't come to see me today just to talk about these past events, did you?"

Yvonne Zhao nodded.

"Kingsley Sterling has been investigating you recently. He seems to already suspect you. You need to be careful."

Evelyn's gaze darkened.

"I understand."

Yvonne Zhao stood up, took a business card from her bag, and placed it on the table.

"This is my contact information. If you need any help, you can reach out to me."

She reached the door, then turned to look at Evelyn once more.

"You look so much like your mother."

With that, she gently closed the door.

The conference room returned to silence.

Evelyn picked up the business card.

It bore a simple name and phone number, no title, no company.

She put the card in her pocket, then looked down at the photo in her hand.

Her mother in the photo, smiling brightly, her eyes clear.

It was her mother in her youth, a version Evelyn had never seen.

Evelyn gently traced her mother's cheek in the photo, complex emotions surfacing in her eyes.

So her mother's departure from the Sterling Family back then had hidden reasons.

So the thing Kingsley Sterling had been searching for was in her mother's possession.

So...

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

When she opened them again, only clarity remained in her gaze.

Whatever the truth was, she would uncover it.

For her mother, and for herself.

Her phone vibrated again.

This time, it was a message from Natalie:

«Scarlett is making a move. She just contacted me, wants to meet.»

Evelyn immediately replied:

«Time? Location?»

«Tonight at eight, the abandoned factory in the west of the city.»

Evelyn stared at the screen, a cold curve lifting the corner of her lips.

Finally, they were going to meet.

She stood up and walked to the window.

The streets below were bustling with traffic, pedestrians hurried by.

This prosperous city seemed calm on the surface, but undercurrents were surging.

The Sterling Family, Scarlett, the secret her mother left behind...

All the threads were gradually weaving into a net.

And she was already standing at the center of that net.

Evelyn picked up her coat and turned to walk out of the conference room.

The sound of her high heels clicking against the floor echoed in the empty corridor, firm and clear.

Tonight, she was going to meet this mysterious "Scarlett."

To see just who this opponent lurking in the United States really was.

Night deepened.

The abandoned factory in the west of the city was shrouded in darkness, with only a few scattered street lamps emitting a dim, yellowish light.

Evelyn parked her car in the distance and approached on foot.

She wore a black tracksuit, her figure agile, silently blending into the night.

Natalie was already waiting at the agreed-upon spot.

Seeing her approach, she immediately came forward.

"She's not here yet."

Evelyn nodded, scanning the surroundings.

The factory was filled with abandoned machinery and shipping containers, limiting visibility, making it ideal for an ambush.

"Are you sure she'll come in person?" Evelyn asked quietly.

"Not sure," Natalie shook her head.

"But this is the first time she's proposed a meeting. She probably won't send a stand-in."

The two hid behind a shipping container, waiting quietly.

Time passed minute by minute.

At exactly eight o'clock, faint footsteps sounded in the distance.

A slender figure slowly emerged from the darkness.

She wore a black trench coat, a hat, and a mask, her entire face completely concealed.

Evelyn narrowed her eyes.

Was this Scarlett?

The person walked to the open area in the center of the factory and stopped.

She lifted her head, her gaze accurately targeting the direction where Evelyn and Natalie were hiding.

"Come out," her voice, processed through the voice changer, was still the electronic female voice.

"I know you're there."

Evelyn and Natalie exchanged a glance, then stepped out from behind the container.

The three stood in a triangular formation, the atmosphere instantly tense.

Scarlett chuckled softly.

"Fox, long time no see."

Natalie said coldly.

"Spare me the familiarity. What exactly do you want to say by meeting me today?"

"I want to say..." Scarlett slowly removed her hat, then took off her mask, revealing a face Evelyn knew all too well.

"The game should end."

Evelyn's pupils contracted sharply.

Standing before her was actually—