Chapter 175

Evelyn's next words shattered Victoria's moment of triumph instantly.

"Yes, I'm clearly talking about your mother."

"What?" Victoria looked like she'd been slapped. "What does my mother have to do with this?"

"Yesterday, your mother visited my boutique to purchase two jewelry sets for you," Evelyn explained calmly.

Understanding dawned on Victoria, but her smile vanished.

Watching the exchange, Eleanor and William exchanged glances. "Did Victoria just call her Miss Prescott?"

William was equally confused, unsure of what was unfolding. The moment they saw Evelyn approach Victoria, they hurried over, fearing Evelyn might do something drastic.

As they drew closer, they heard Alexander say to Evelyn, "Since you're here, come inside and join us."

"No! We can't let that woman into our home!" William shouted immediately.

Evelyn ignored the sting of their words, maintaining her composed smile as she turned toward them.

Before her stood her own parents, yet their gazes held even more venom than they had three years ago.

Evelyn wondered what sins she must have committed in a past life to endure such torment now.

"You must be Mr. and Mrs. Kingsley? Allow me to introduce myself—I'm Vivian Prescott." She extended a business card with practiced grace.

Eleanor and William scrutinized the card before giving Evelyn another suspicious once-over.

"You're not Evelyn? Impossible. How can two people look so identical?" Eleanor muttered under her breath.

William remained skeptical. "Your name is Vivian?"

"Yes," Evelyn confirmed with a nod. "This is my first time visiting Willowbrook."

"That can't be!" Eleanor snapped, her eyes narrowing. "There's no way two people could resemble each other this closely!"

"The world is full of miracles," Evelyn countered smoothly. "After all, didn't you miraculously find your long-lost daughter after twenty years?"

Eleanor faltered, unable to refute that. She scoffed instead. "Evelyn, stop lying! You never died—you faked your death to ruin Alexander and Victoria's engagement! And now you're back to stir up trouble again. You haven't changed at all. How despicable—"

"Enough." Alexander's voice cut through sharply, cold as ice.

Eleanor froze, startled by his tone. His expression was glacial, as if carved from frost.

"I won't tolerate such words again." His gaze flicked to Evelyn, who stood there, unruffled. "They're clearly two different people. Mind your words—respect others, and respect yourself."

"Mother, Father, Alexander is right. Miss Vivian isn't Evelyn. Evelyn left us forever three years ago..." Victoria forced a tear, then added, "Mother, Father, this is Vivian Prescott. I've met her before. She's nothing like Evelyn—they're completely separate people."

Eleanor and William's expressions shifted as they offered Evelyn an awkward apology. "If Victoria and Alexander say so, then it must be true. Please forgive our rudeness, Miss Prescott."

Evelyn smiled faintly. "I'm quite used to it by now."

Eleanor and William hesitated before extending a stiff invitation. "Since Miss Vivian is acquainted with Alexander and Victoria, why not come inside and witness Alexander's proposal?"

"Of course." Evelyn's lips curved as she cast a meaningful glance at Victoria. "I brought a gift for Miss Lancaster. It was a last-minute choice, but I hope you'll like it."