Lost and Broken

Lana Evans listened and laughed, saying, "Wasn't I foolish back then? My mind just couldn't turn the corner, but my husband is clever. From now on, I'll keep coaxing my father like this, and the silver will just keep rolling in. Oh, and next month, I'll trick my father into thinking I'm gravely ill and can't afford treatment, so he'll keep asking them for silver. Heh, with my father's intelligence, as soon as he hears I'm sick, he'll panic. He'll give me however much silver I ask for, and maybe I can even swindle some precious medicine from Lily Evans. We can sell it later for more silver."

Jasper Cheng was absolutely delighted: "Silly wife, why didn't you tell me earlier that your family was so formidable? If you'd told me sooner, I would've married you long ago."

Lana Evans snuggled proudly into Jasper Cheng's arms. "Husband, I'm clever now. I know that to get money, I have to keep my father happy. From now on, I'll feed him sweet talk every day. I'm sure he'd climb mountains or walk through fire for me without a single complaint."

"Good, good, you're truly my wonderful wife."

Next door, the two were overjoyed, ordering a huge table of fine food and wine, eating and drinking to their hearts' content. Meanwhile, Sam Evans seemed utterly drained, as if his spirit had been sucked away. He sat weakly in his chair, staring at the ceiling, lips moving but unable to utter a single word.

He never imagined that the daughter he trusted so deeply would conspire with outsiders to plot against him, and speak about him in such a way behind his back. Was this scheming woman really the same innocent, sweet Lana Evans from his memories?

Seeing Sam Evans so lost and broken, Yuan Jie couldn't help but feel pity.

"Third Brother..." Arthur Evans patted Sam Evans's shoulder and sighed. "Don't blame me or Lily Evans. There are things you wouldn't believe unless you heard them with your own ears. If we tried to explain, it would only hurt our relationship. That's why we arranged for you to hear Lana Evans for yourself."

"How could Lana Evans turn out like this..." Sam Evans couldn't believe his ears. In agony, he clutched his head and crouched on the ground. His daughter's betrayal hit him as hard as when he learned of Susan Evans's misdeeds.

"Just like Third Uncle," Lily Evans sighed. "Now that you know, how you act and what you choose is up to you. Third Uncle, you're still young. Do you really want to spend the rest of your life being tricked by those two, begging us for silver?"

"I... I..." Sam Evans stammered for a long while, but couldn't utter another word.

Lily Evans and Arthur Evans knew how much pain he must be feeling right now, so they didn't push him further.

"I want to be alone for a while. Give me some time. Once I've thought it through, I'll make my decision." Sam Evans, numb and anguished, pushed open the door and walked out. His staggering steps looked pitiful and sad.

"Let's go too," Lily Evans said to Arthur Evans.

They'd done all they could, said all that needed saying. Whether Sam Evans would wake up to the truth was now up to him.

As they left, Lily Evans glanced back at the private room next door, a contemptuous smile on her lips. She instructed her men, "There's no way our hard-earned silver will go to those two scoundrels. Send someone to get the silver back."