Miriam Croft hesitated.

She struggled to follow Evelyn’s train of thought.

At the Sterling family’s event, she hadn’t even met Amelia Sterling.

Because of that, she had no idea what Amelia had been thinking back then.

Eventually, she did meet her biological daughter, Amelia.

To keep the truth about her and Evelyn’s origins hidden, Miriam had to weave a lie.

She claimed Evelyn had repeatedly sought out the founder of Aethelgard Industries with ulterior motives.

It was the only way to sway Amelia to her side.

She needed to turn Amelia against Evelyn, the rightful daughter of the Sterling family.

After all, Amelia’s interest in the founder wasn’t a secret within the Sterling household.

But now, after she watched Amelia lash out at Evelyn, doubt crept into Miriam’s mind.

Did Amelia know something?

Something deeper?

Was that why her hatred toward Evelyn ran so deep?

Still, Miriam was sure Amelia remained unaware of the real truth.

If Amelia knew Evelyn was the Sterling family’s true daughter, given her fiery temper, she would have already made Evelyn’s life unbearable.

"Evelyn, don’t expect to get anything out of me. I’m just a servant of the Sterling family," Miriam said coolly.

She drew a deep breath.

Evelyn met her gaze calmly.

After a brief pause, she spoke with conviction.

"So, you don’t know the real reason either."

Miriam’s heart skipped a beat.

Evelyn was sharp.

Too sharp.

If she kept piecing things together at this pace, it was only a matter of time before she uncovered the truth about her own origins.

A sudden wave of fear gripped Miriam.

She had made a mistake.

She shouldn’t have lingered here with Evelyn.

She should have left with Amelia.

As Miriam pulled herself together, her eyes landed on the deep, blood-red wound on Evelyn’s hand.

Pressing her lips together, she said dryly, "I’ll get you a first aid kit. Stay put."

Without waiting for a response, Miriam turned and walked swiftly toward the supply closet.

It almost seemed as if she were fleeing.

Evelyn’s gaze followed her.

As Miriam reached the door, Evelyn’s eyes flickered.

She had noticed something.

The hallway was empty.

Amelia’s bodyguards must have left with her.

A thought crossed Evelyn’s mind.

She spoke casually.

"I’m a little thirsty. Could you bring me some water?"

Miriam, still preoccupied, answered briskly.

"Fine."

Evelyn wasn’t in any condition to escape.

There was no harm in indulging her request.

Just as Miriam was about to shut the door, Evelyn suddenly asked, "Have we met before? Perhaps... At a hospital?"

Miriam froze.

Through the narrow gap in the door, Evelyn’s calm, unwavering gaze met hers.

It sent a jolt of panic through her chest.

How terrifying this woman was!

How could she remember something from so long ago?

Without thinking, Miriam slammed the door shut.

She cut off any further conversation.

Leaning against it, she inhaled deeply.

She tried to steady her racing heart.

For a moment, she closed her eyes.

When she opened them again, her expression was cold.

It was filled with quiet resentment.

She shouldn’t have wavered.

She shouldn’t have felt even a shred of sympathy for Evelyn.

With Amelia still holding the title of the Sterling family’s cherished daughter, now was the perfect time.

She could get rid of Evelyn once and for all.

Once Evelyn was out of the picture, no one could challenge Amelia’s place in the family.

Steeling herself, Miriam pulled a key from her pocket.

Without hesitation, she locked the storage room’s door from the outside.