As the crowd gradually dispersed, Miranda’s group prepared to head to the next exhibit hall. As they turned around, they found themselves face-to-face with Evelyn.

“Whoa!” Winter said exaggeratedly.

Miranda kept her expression neutral and calmly looked away. To her, Evelyn was now just another stranger, and there was no need for politeness. They could simply pretend not to know each other, avoiding any awkwardness.

Unexpectedly, Evelyn took a couple of steps forward, smiling as she greeted her. “Miranda, you’re here visiting the Old City too?”

Lionel and Mindy exchanged a glance. Was she a friend? But they hadn’t heard of their daughter knowing someone like this. They couldn’t help but be curious about Evelyn’s identity.

Winter seized the opportunity and leaned in to whisper a quick explanation to them. Instantly, Mindy’s expression changed as she looked at Evelyn. Lionel’s smile also faded, his gaze turning sharp and intense.

Evelyn felt a bit awkward and was about to say something when Lucy, standing nearby, impatiently urged, “What’s the holdup? Hurry up, and let’s get out of here. It’s stuffy, hot, and reeks of mildew! It’s unbearable!”

“Yeah, seriously!” Franklin echoed. “If I knew it would be this boring, I wouldn’t have come. Who cares about these dead people’s stuff anyway? Mom, I’m starving.”

Lucy lifted her chin and ordered Evelyn, “Where’s the food around here? Go buy something for my son. Make sure it’s the good, expensive stuff!”

If there had been a hole in the ground, Evelyn would’ve gladly disappeared into it.

Miranda exchanged a bewildered look with Winter. Was Evelyn really… putting up with this? She seemed as timid as a turtle!

Who were these people, anyway?

Winter’s eyes flashed with curiosity. She then turned to Franklin with a friendly smile. “Hi, what’s your name?”

At the sight of a pretty girl initiating a conversation, Franklin’s eyes lit up. “I’m Franklin York! And you are?”

So, a York…

Miranda’s gaze deepened. She had already heard from Winter about how Ingrid lost her baby, was abandoned in the hospital, and completely disregarded by both Evelyn and Hansel.

In the end, it all came to this–the worst possible outcome.

Miranda didn’t feel any sense of satisfaction or relief; she only felt a deep sense of pity for another woman’s fate.

Ingrid had sacrificed her education, her body, and her reputation–all in the hopes of keeping a man. Was it worth it?

Miranda felt incredibly grateful that after six wasted years, she still had a chance to walk away.

Winter asked, “So, what’s your relationship with Mrs. Johnson?”

“Oh, she’s been showing us around this place, but it’s so boring. We told her to leave, but she just stood there like an idiot!”

Franklin eagerly spilled everything, almost as if he would reveal even more if prompted.

Winter quickly caught on. It was obvious now that Evelyn was being blackmailed into this–forced to play along.

“Mrs. Johnson is full of surprises!” she exclaimed. “Always the one with people trailing after her, but now she’s like some lackey, running errands and working herself to the bone.”

She then asked, “How does it feel? Pretty refreshing, huh?”

Evelyn gritted her teeth. “Don’t push it, Winter! No matter what, I’m still your elder!”

Winter didn’t bother hiding her disdain. “Oh, please! The Jeffersons have nothing to do with the Johnsons, so don’t try to pull rank with me.

“Besides, I’m not wrong, am I? Aren’t you just their lackey now? Although, to be fair, most lackeys don’t have to be punching bags!”

Winter’s words were brutally sharp, cutting Evelyn to the core. Her face turned a mix of green and white, looking more like a painter’s palette with every second. It was almost entertaining to watch.

“Mimi, Mr. and Mrs. Sutton, let’s go. There’s no point talking to people like her,” Winter said.

Lucy watched them leave, then glanced at Evelyn’s livid expression. “Tsk, tsk, seems like you’ve made a lot of enemies, huh?”

It was no wonder she was so unlikeable!

Evelyn merely stayed silent.

This little encounter didn’t dampen Miranda’s group’s spirits. They continued exploring two more exhibits and found a nice Jovanian restaurant for a meal.

“This place doesn’t look cheap, huh?” Mindy remarked, instantly sensing the upscale nature of the place from the exterior alone.