Sophia gently released Evelyn's embrace and tentatively asked, "Mom, who is Nicole?"

Evelyn's gaze suddenly became unfocused, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes. "Nicole... Nicole... We must find her..."

Vincent shot Sophia a meaningful look and tapped his temple.

Understanding, Sophia dared not press further.

Evelyn suddenly cupped Sophia's face, her clouded eyes blazing with startling intensity. "My child... my child has returned..."

Her trembling voice held twenty-four years of longing and anguish.

Sophia's nose stung. "Mom!"

Evelyn's rough fingertips traced Sophia's brows and lashes over and over, as if confirming this wasn't an illusion.

"My child... It's really my child..."

She abruptly pulled Sophia into a crushing embrace.

At first lost in the joy of reunion, Sophia gradually found it hard to breathe.

"Mom... Not so tight..."

Evelyn seemed not to hear, her frail arms tightening further.

Sophia felt her mother's body tremble violently—a warning sign of an impending episode.

She cast a pleading glance at Ethan.

Vincent stepped forward first, soothing gently, "Evelyn, Sophia won't leave. We're all here to protect her."

Evelyn snapped awake, hastily loosening her grip and anxiously checking Sophia for injuries.

Tears spilled from Sophia's eyes.

Even in her fractured mind, a mother's instinct still shielded her.

After leaving the sanatorium, Sophia immediately called Alexander.

"Brother, do you know Nicole? Mom asked me to find her."

Alexander paused. "She might have been a household maid. I was too young to remember clearly."

Hanging up, Sophia frowned deeply.

Ethan drew her close. "Tomorrow, I'll go with you to see Vincent."

At dawn the next day, Sophia waited at Vincent's Porcelain.

It was nearly noon when Vincent finally arrived.

Casually, Sophia asked, "Master, did you know Nicole Evans?"

Vincent's eyes flew open. "Who mentioned her to you?"

"My father did, in passing."

Vincent sighed heavily. "She was Evelyn's lady's maid, raised alongside her. When Evelyn married, Nicole went with her as a nanny."

Sophia's pulse quickened. "What... what really happened back then?"

Tears streamed down Vincent's aged face. "That night, the child suddenly developed a high fever. Nicole and her brother took her to the hospital. On their way back..."

His voice broke.

Sophia held her breath.

"They were ambushed by robbers." Vincent wiped his tears. "After the child was snatched, we found... a body in the river."

Sophia went cold.

"That child was covered in wounds, wearing the longevity lock Evelyn made herself." Vincent's voice shook. "Evelyn lost her mind on the spot, clutching the corpse for three days without letting go..."

Sophia's nails dug into her palms.

Now she understood why her mother had shattered.

"Who?" Sophia's voice was hoarse. "Who could be so heartless?"

Vincent shook his head. "All these years, I've kept searching..."

Flames of fury ignited in Sophia's eyes.

This mystery, she would uncover it.