Chapter 714

Richard Evans stared at Lillian Evans's retreating back, his palms slick with cold sweat.

That woman had performed flawlessly in front of Eleanor Vance.

Was she wearing a mask in front of him too?

He quickly dismissed the thought.

Twenty-five years.

They had been together since before Cecilia Evans was even born.

Who could pretend for that long?

He was overthinking.

Even if something was amiss, he wouldn't end up with nothing.

After Eleanor passed, the inheritance would be divided equally.

Even one percent of the Vance Group's shares would be enough for several generations to live lavishly.

Richard steadied himself and turned to leave.

Elsewhere, Julian Evans was presenting the company's development plan to Evelyn Ross.

He had even prepared a detailed PowerPoint.

His focused expression reminded her of the meticulous senior he had been in university.

A faint smile touched Evelyn's lips.

Alexander Vance noticed her smile, and his gaze darkened slightly.

He picked up a teacup and walked over, naturally inserting himself between them.

"Have some water."

Evelyn accepted it, took a sip, and handed it back.

Alexander sat down beside her, his shoulder almost touching hers, and looked at the screen with her.

Evelyn turned her head, her cheek brushing against his jaw.

She instinctively tried to move away, but his arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer against him.

Evelyn's ears grew warm.

Julian looked up and saw them.

A trace of bitterness flashed in his eyes, but his tone was respectful when he spoke again.

"Aunt Evelyn, do you think this plan is feasible?"

The term "Aunt Evelyn" made Alexander's brow twitch slightly.

Before Evelyn could answer, Alexander's finger pointed at the screen.

"Here, here, and here. The logic isn't fully closed. The data support is insufficient."

A few brief remarks hit the core issues.

Julian was stunned for a moment, then suddenly understood.

He had once been resentful.

He thought his uncle had reached his high position merely due to seniority and Eleanor's favor.

He had never been deeply involved in frontline operations, only overseeing the big picture.

That kind of strategic vision, Julian had believed he could master too.

Only now did he realize the chasm between them.

Behind the three or four-year age gap lay a world of difference in perspective and experience.

Julian straightened his back, his attitude becoming even more humble.

Alexander was concise and to the point.

Occasionally, when he touched on more complex concepts, Evelyn would softly add a few words, simplifying them.

Watching the two sitting side by side, Julian suddenly felt they were like the sun and moon sharing the sky.

Where their brilliance shone, everything else seemed to pale.

He listened even more attentively, his notes filling the page.

By the end of the discussion, the once vague concept had a clear structure.

Julian stood up and bowed respectfully.

"Uncle Alexander, Aunt Evelyn, thank you for your guidance. I know what to do now."

Alexander gave a faint "Hmm."

"Come ask anytime you encounter difficulties in the future."

"Yes."

After Julian left, Alexander cleared his throat, speaking casually.

"Julian has decent talent, but he lacks a certain spark."

Evelyn chuckled.

"He's outstanding among ordinary people. Not everyone can be like you."

Alexander ruffled her hair.

"Aren't you just like me?"

Evelyn didn't respond.

She had long been aware she was different.

Photographic memory, quick comprehension, exceptional physical stamina.

Only the frequent anemia was a persistent issue.

She turned to look at Natalie Castillo by the window, cracking sunflower seeds and watching cartoons.

Was this common among the Sterling Family?

It seemed not entirely.

Evelyn shook her head and looked back at Eleanor Vance.

Lillian Evans and Cecilia Evans were on either side, attending to Eleanor.

They peeled grapes, removed the seeds, and fed them to her.

Eleanor squinted, her smile making every wrinkle on her face relax.

Evelyn's lips also curved into a smile.

But the next second, Eleanor's smile froze.

Her body tilted, and she slumped weakly onto the table!

"Grandma!" Evelyn shot to her feet.

Alexander's face changed drastically.