Lana Evans Wouldn't Lie to Me

Sam Evans slowly walked to Arthur Evans's shop.

Taking advantage of the slow business during the New Year season, Arthur Evans and his family quickly renovated their Silver Pavilion shop, turning it into a hot pot restaurant.

At the moment, Arthur Evans and his wife, Mrs. Charlotte Evans, were busy in the shop, supervising the renovations and placing orders for tables, pots, and kitchenware.

Seeing the busy scene in the shop, Sam Evans limped inside and shouted upstairs, "Arthur, are you there?"

Arthur Evans poked his head out, his face covered in dust, clearly busy with work. "Sam, you're here! I'll be right down!"

Arthur Evans and Mrs. Charlotte Evans put down their work and came downstairs. Seeing Sam Evans in such a state, both looked surprised.

"Sam, what happened to your face? And your leg—why are you limping? Did your son-in-law lay a hand on you again? If he causes trouble, just tell me, I'll stand up for you!" Arthur Evans said angrily.

"Arthur, no, it's not that. I was walking quickly and slipped on some ice. My son-in-law has changed; he doesn't get into fights anymore," Sam Evans hurriedly explained, waving his hand.

Hearing this, Arthur Evans relaxed and quickly led Sam Evans to a room to rest, instructing someone to fetch some ointment for his injuries.

Seeing his younger brother so concerned, Sam Evans felt embarrassed and didn't know how to bring up borrowing money. But thinking of Lana Evans, for his daughter's sake, he steeled himself and asked Arthur Evans for a loan.

"Borrow five thousand taels?" Arthur Evans and Mrs. Charlotte Evans exchanged glances.

Sam Evans lowered his head and mumbled, "Don't worry, Arthur. Our family still has the Evans Paper Mill. We'll pay you back slowly, we can manage it."

Arthur Evans said, "Sam, it's not really about the money. I just want to know, what kind of business is your son-in-law doing? How did he lose ten thousand taels in such a short time? I'm a businessman myself, and what you told me doesn't quite add up."

Sam Evans replied, "I... I don't really understand it either. My son-in-law and Lana Evans explained it. Arthur, do you think my son-in-law is cheating me?"

Arthur Evans didn't beat around the bush and nodded honestly, "Yes, I'm worried they're cheating you."

Sam Evans quickly shook his head. "I don't think so. Lana Evans said she understands the business too. Even if my son-in-law cheats me, Lana wouldn't, right?"

Arthur Evans and Mrs. Charlotte Evans exchanged a silent glance, both thinking that his daughter was probably the most likely to deceive him.

But saying that out loud now, without any proof, would only hurt Sam Evans deeply.

After a pause, Arthur Evans said, "Alright, since you asked, as your brother, I have to help."

Just then, Mrs. Charlotte Evans tugged at Arthur Evans's sleeve and interjected, "Sam, five thousand taels is no small sum. We don't have that much cash on hand and will need to move some funds around the shop. How about this—tomorrow, once we've gathered the money, we'll bring it to you?"

Sam Evans hurriedly expressed his gratitude, "Thank you so much!"

"No need to thank us, we're family," Arthur Evans said, patting Sam Evans's hand. "Sam, are you sure your injury is alright? Should I call a doctor for you?"

Sam Evans quickly replied, "No, no, I'm tough. A little fall is nothing, no need for a doctor—I'm not that delicate. I should go, Lana Evans is worried. I'll go tell her not to worry."

With that, Sam Evans hurried away, clearly anxious about Lana Evans.

After Sam Evans left, Mrs. Charlotte Evans said, "Arthur, it's not that we can't lend Sam the money, but once we open this door, Cheng Jin, Lana Evans, and Sun Evans will keep using Sam to ask us and the Ali family for money."