Chapter 733

Natalie Castillo's gaze shifted between Alexander Vance and Evelyn Ross, her tone deliberately gentle.

"Honestly, you two have never gotten along with the main branch anyway. Why insist on holding Cecilia Evans? Let her out. Let her fight with Julian Evans. Their internal squabbles have little to do with you."

She paused, observing their expressions before continuing.

"Cecilia is quite capable. With her husband backing her, she might actually take a chunk out of Julian's power. Julian has been performing well lately and has pledged loyalty to you, but that doesn't mean you have to protect him. Besides... there doesn't seem to be any deep-seated hatred between you and Cecilia. Extending an olive branch to the Truman family would help maintain the alliance of the Five Great Families. It's a win-win situation."

Evelyn understood now.

After all that circling, the real goal was to get her and Alexander to release Cecilia Evans.

Worried she wouldn't agree and jeopardize the alliance, Natalie had started by using her mother to scare her.

Evelyn felt a wave of exasperation.

She looked up at Natalie, a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

"All this for that?"

Natalie cleared her throat, a flicker of embarrassment crossing her face.

"I was afraid you'd stubbornly stand up for Julian and refuse to budge. So I thought I'd scare you first."

The original plan was to claim her mother was in trouble. Once Evelyn panicked, she'd be told—if she didn't release Cecilia, her mother really would be in danger.

Then, Evelyn would surely compromise.

Who knew this little scheme would nearly provoke the woman before her.

Remembering Evelyn's cold, fierce demeanor earlier, Natalie still felt a chill down her spine.

She couldn't joke about her mother again.

Natalie thought this with lingering fear.

Evelyn turned to look at Alexander.

To be honest, she had been genuinely frightened by Natalie.

The alliance of the Five Great Families had to be maintained. Though the exact reasons were unclear, failing this task would likely bar her from even entering the Sterling Family estate, let alone saving her mother.

The thought of her mother suffering in the Sterling Family made Evelyn's heart burn with anxiety.

If it was just about releasing Cecilia Evans...

It might be worth considering.

She wasn't that rigid.

As she pondered, Evelyn's phone rang.

She looked down. It was Jane Evans.

She answered immediately. "Jane, what's wrong?"

Jane could speak now, though not fluently yet. She stammered.

"My... my mom... has something... to tell you."

Then, Mrs. Evans took the phone.

Mrs. Evans's voice was direct and to the point.

"Miss Ross, have you offended the Truman family?"

Evelyn fell silent for a moment.

The Truman family moved that fast?

Before she could speak, Mrs. Evans sighed.

"I just received word. All collaborations with you are to be suspended. I'm terribly sorry. Within the Evans family, I don't have absolute authority. And also..."

Mrs. Evans paused, her tone growing more serious.

"That Vance family love child has been released. Her husband is from a Truman branch family, but he's exceptionally capable and highly regarded by the Truman patriarch. So, would you like to find a time for me to take you to meet them? It's better to resolve grievances than to hold onto them. As long as it doesn't cross a line, everyone taking a step back leads to a broader path. Avoiding trouble is wiser. What do you think?"

Evelyn pressed her lips together.

She looked at Alexander. The man's eyes darkened, then he nodded.

Evelyn took a deep breath.

"Alright. Then I'll trouble you, Mrs. Evans."

Mrs. Evans's tone softened slightly.

"It's no trouble. Visit Jane more often when you can. She misses you."

"Definitely."

After hanging up, Evelyn frowned, looking at Alexander.

"Cecilia's crime was a felony, right? Released just like that? Does the Truman family really have that much influence?"

Richard Evans was murdered. Cecilia Evans and Lillian Evans helped conceal the body. The charges stood. They were sentenced to five years.

How could they be released so easily?

But from Mrs. Evans's meaning, not only was Cecilia out, her husband now held a grudge against them.

Evelyn couldn't understand it.

"If Cecilia had this kind of pull, why didn't she use it earlier?"

If the Truman family was truly that powerful, she would have long used their name to fight for power within the Vance family. Even Eleanor Vance might have had to yield to her.

But before, Cecilia clearly didn't dare to casually wield her husband's family's influence.

Alexander also frowned.

"The Truman family has always been law-abiding, low-key, and cautious. Someone as vain as Cecilia didn't dare to flaunt the Truman name outside. That shows their family discipline is extremely strict. After I learned she married into the Truman family, I specifically inquired. The Trumans never act so rashly and rarely make enemies. There's... probably more to this."

Natalie cut in directly.

"Didn't Mrs. Evans arrange a meeting? Just go! Clear things up face-to-face."

Evelyn nodded.

Mrs. Evans was decisive. Saying she'd arrange it for that afternoon, she truly did.

Evelyn and Alexander drove, following Mrs. Evans straight to the Truman residence.

The Truman estate was an imposing mansion with the distinct charm of old New York.

The ancient, sturdy main gate exuded a calm, imposing pride, silently declaring the family's heritage.

Evelyn, Alexander, and Natalie followed Mrs. Evans through the Truman gate.

The overall impression the Truman family gave could be described in one word: scholarly gentry.

Evelyn felt the Truman family members had an air of reclusive masters, the entire family embodying a classic, low-key, and reserved demeanor.

She liked this feeling and admired the Truman family's temperament...

But with such a prestigious family, how did they ever allow Cecilia Evans to marry in?