Chapter 873

Sienna Sterling's eyes widened as if she had just heard the most absurd fairy tale.

She stared fixedly at Evelyn Ross, her brows knitted tightly together.

"Love?"

She let out a derisive snort, her tone dripping with disbelief.

"Sis, have you lost your mind? Men are creatures who can whisper sweet nothings to you today and kick you into the gutter tomorrow!"

Evelyn's expression remained calm.

"Alexander is different."

"Ha!"

Sienna rolled her eyes, looking utterly exasperated.

"You're hopeless. Truly hopeless."

She gritted her teeth, lowering her voice to a threatening whisper.

"Believe me, I could throw you into the sea to feed the fish right now. On this island, a person going missing wouldn't even make a splash."

Before Evelyn could respond, the assistant who had been standing silently beside Sienna suddenly stepped forward.

She lifted her chin, casting a contemptuous glance over Evelyn.

"Hey, country bumpkin."

"Judging by your look, you have absolutely no idea who our young mistress is on Saint Helena Island, do you?"

A flicker of interest passed through Evelyn's eyes.

She had been wanting to learn more about the Sterling Family's background, and now an opportunity had presented itself.

She nodded slightly, her tone indifferent.

"I'm all ears."

The assistant snorted, as if about to boast about some extraordinary family lineage.

"Listen carefully."

"This island is the kingdom of the Sterling family. Over twenty million people here recognize only the Sterlings as their masters."

"Here, the Sterling family's word is law. The Sterling family members are the uncrowned royalty!"

Evelyn let out a soft "Oh," shifting her gaze to Sienna.

"So, you are a Sterling?"

Sienna immediately straightened her back, a hint of pride appearing on her face.

"Of course."

Evelyn pressed further.

"Direct lineage?"

The smug expression on Sienna's face instantly froze.

She coughed twice, her eyes darting away.

"Well... not exactly."

The assistant quickly cut in, her tone sharp.

"Direct lineage? You wish! Do you think you can just meet one of the nine heirs whenever you want?"

"However, although my young mistress is not one of those nine, among all the collateral branches, she is at the very top!"

She lowered her voice, adding a touch of mystery.

"Let me tell you, in the Sterling family, aside from the Matriarch, the highest status belongs to the nine heirs and their mothers."

"Next in line are the various collateral Sterling families."

"My young mistress's father is of genuine Sterling blood. He is the real, full-blooded younger brother of the mothers of those heirs! Do you understand now?"

Evelyn nodded.

She understood.

The Sterling family was matriarchal. The Matriarch and the heirs were all women.

But male children were still born into the family. These men were like princesses of old—they could retain their surname after marriage, but their descendants were no longer considered part of the direct line.

She pondered for a moment before asking.

"May I ask, Miss Sterling, which heir's uncle is your father?"

The question was clever.

The Sterling family passed inheritance through women, not men. Women had limited reproductive capacity and couldn't produce numerous offspring like men could.

The so-called direct lineage essentially consisted of the few daughters eligible to compete for the heir position.

The nine heirs, including herself, might not all be daughters of sisters.

As expected, her question left the assistant speechless.

Sienna's face flushed bright red. She stammered for a long moment before finally lifting her chin defiantly, speaking fiercely.

"My aunt... my aunt is Sophia Ashcroft!"

"She... she may not be the mother of any of the nine heirs, but she was incredibly formidable back in her day!"

"She was a top contender in the previous generation's heir competition! If it weren't for... if it weren't for the accident later, if she hadn't run away, her daughter would definitely be a top contender in this generation too!"

The assistant quickly chimed in.

"That's right! In the competition over twenty years ago, my young mistress's aunt was the most promising to win! It's just that later..."

She didn't finish her sentence, sighing instead.

Sienna snorted, her lips pouting in clear dissatisfaction.

But Evelyn was stunned.

Sophia Ashcroft?

Wasn't her mother her grandmother's only daughter?

Did her grandmother... have a son as well?

As her mind reeled from this revelation, a sharp, piercing laugh suddenly rang out from behind her.

"Well, well, who do we have here reminiscing about the glorious old days?"

"Oh, it's you, Sienna Sterling."

Evelyn turned around.

A young woman dressed in flamboyant clothes, with sharp, somewhat mean-looking features, was swaying her hips as she walked over.

Her face wore an undisguised sneer.

"Are you really bragging about such old, stale history?"

"The winner was my aunt. The Matriarch is my aunt. What is there to boast about your traitor aunt?"

"Bragging in front of some vagrant of unknown origin, Sienna. You truly embarrass the Sterling family."

Sienna's face instantly darkened.

"Scarlett Sterling! What are you doing here?"

Scarlett covered her mouth with a light laugh, but her eyes swept over Evelyn like knives.

"What am I doing here?"

"Of course, I heard that our high-and-mighty Miss Sienna picked up a male pet at the docks. I came specifically to see the novelty."

"I never expected to arrive just in time to hear you bragging about your useless aunt."

She turned to Evelyn, her smile dripping with malice.

"Don't believe a word of her nonsense."

"Her aunt, Sophia Ashcroft, is a complete and utter traitor. She was only recently captured and brought back."

"Now, she has to publicly confess her sins in the town square every day via live stream. Her state, tsk tsk, is truly pitiful."

Evelyn's fingers clenched abruptly.

Her nails dug deep into her palms.

Scarlett acted as if she didn't notice, continuing in her acerbic tone.

"Sienna, have you no shame?"

"How can you even mention an aunt like that?"

"Back then, she represented the family in an external competition. And what happened? She betrayed the family and never returned!"

"What right does someone like that have to feel proud?"

She lifted her chin high, her face full of arrogance.

"My aunt is the true winner! In this generation's heir competition, my aunt's daughter will undoubtedly be the final victor!"

She deliberately drew out her words, her eyes challenging Sienna.

"And your aunt, Sophia Ashcroft? She doesn't even have a daughter... Oh, wait, I think I heard she did have a daughter once?"

Scarlett exaggeratedly covered her mouth, her eyes crinkling with laughter.

"What a pity. I heard she died long ago!"

"Hahaha, so it seems your branch will never produce an heir again~"

"Shut up!"

Sienna trembled with rage, taking a sudden step forward, her eyes reddening.

"Don't you dare speak about my aunt like that!"