Evelyn changed into her evening gown at her office later that evening.

She then headed straight for the Sterling family banquet.

Just as promised, a luxurious car was idling near the curb.

Charlotte had arranged for her transportation.

Evelyn slipped into the back seat.

The driver pulled away without a word, navigating directly to the grand hotel.

She stepped out onto the bustling entrance plaza.

A steady stream of guests, dressed in their finest, flowed toward the hotel doors.

They were all here for Amelia Sterling's birthday celebration.

Evelyn paid them little mind and moved to enter.

Then, she caught the edges of hushed conversations.

"The resemblance is astonishing..."

"It's her, isn't it? It has to be."

"Which family is she from? I don't recognize her."

"Could she be a Sterling?"

Evelyn instinctively turned toward the whispers.

A small cluster of people were glancing her way while trying to appear discreet.

Their eyes darted away the moment her gaze met theirs.

They pretended to be engrossed in other things.

Their behavior only deepened her confusion.

What were they talking about?

She blinked, puzzled, but shook it off.

She continued her path into the main banquet hall.

As she crossed the threshold, someone exiting bumped into her.

Evelyn gasped, caught off balance.

She stumbled sideways.

Her first, instinctive thought was to protect her abdomen.

Her mind went blank for a second.

"Steady there."

A strong arm shot out, catching her firmly.

It held her securely, preventing a fall.

Evelyn's breath caught in her throat.

It took a moment for her composure to return.

"Thank you," she murmured, still slightly shaken.

She didn't realize the man holding her was equally stunned.

When he didn't speak, Evelyn frowned slightly and turned to face him.

Her own eyes widened in shock.

The man before her had a face that was strikingly familiar.

He looked like a masculine reflection of herself.

"You..." Evelyn hesitated.

Her hand lifted slightly, as if to reach out and confirm the vision.

Her expression was a mix of conflict and disbelief.

Jonathan Sterling was equally speechless.

He didn't even share such a strong resemblance with his own parents.

So why did this complete stranger look almost identical to him?

A fresh wave of astonished murmurs swept through the nearby guests.

"Seeing them together like this... it's undeniable."

"Exactly. When I saw her alone, I immediately thought of a softer, more delicate Jonathan."

"Perhaps she's an unacknowledged daughter of the Sterling family?"

The moment the words were uttered, Jonathan's dazed expression hardened.

A sharp, dangerous glint flashed in his eyes as he turned toward the gossips.

His voice was low and steady, but carried an icy weight that silenced the group instantly.

"Choose your next words very carefully. If I hear any more of these baseless speculations, you will be escorted out immediately. And you can consider your ties with the Sterling Group permanently severed."

His parents shared a legendary devotion.

The suggestion of an illegitimate child was not only absurd, but offensive.

The gossiping guests visibly shrank back, their faces paling.

"W-we apologize, Mr. Sterling. We spoke out of turn," they stammered, bowing their heads in a hurried apology.