Chapter 113

Dawn's first light glinted off a row of over a dozen limited-edition sports cars parked outside Blenheim Palace, their sleek surfaces radiating cold luxury.

Sophia Roland clasped Evelyn's hand, her eyes brimming with affection. "Darling, I had these specially prepared for you. Pick whichever you like."

"With Alexander away, I simply can't rest easy knowing you're commuting alone."

Evelyn pressed her lips together, a flicker of resignation crossing her gaze.

Now she understood the root of Isabella's spoiled nature—daughters here were truly coddled like precious jewels.

Yet these flashy vehicles were already gathering dust in her private collection.

"Parking is scarce on campus. Driving would be inconvenient."

Edward interjected hastily, "Then let Old Liu chauffeur you. He's been my personal driver for twenty years."

Their suffocating concern left Evelyn momentarily speechless.

Nearby, Isabella dug her nails into her palms, her smile remaining saccharine.

"I'm heading to the Colorado Mines for a project inspection anyway. I can drop you off." Her voice dripped honey. "Hop in, Evelyn."

Sophia beamed, visibly relieved by this display of sisterly harmony. She'd secretly feared Isabella might resent her newfound sibling.

"Very well."

Under her parents' expectant gazes, Evelyn had no choice but to comply.

The car door hadn't fully closed before Isabella's expression turned glacial.

"Quite the design prodigy, aren't you?" She stared straight ahead, her tone laced with implication. "But business is an entirely different beast."

"Feel free to consult me—I just earned my MBA from Harvard."

Evelyn watched the blurring scenery outside, offering only a noncommittal hum.

This wasn't concern—it was a power play.

Having lost the design battle, Isabella was flaunting academic credentials instead.

Harvard MBA?

Evelyn recalled the institution's massive accreditation scandal three years prior. With Isabella's mediocre intellect, that degree undoubtedly came courtesy of family connections.

Her silence only stoked Isabella's simmering irritation.

"Father already entrusted me with KL's operations. The Colorado Mines development is my project now."

Colorado Mines?

Evelyn's eyes sharpened.

Before taking over CH Jewelry, she'd meticulously analyzed mineral distributions. Those eastern deposits were nearly exhausted, with recent seismic activity making them accident-prone. Any investment there would hemorrhage money.

Despite everything, she offered a warning: "That's a poor investment choice."

Isabella's derisive snort filled the car.

"I secured that land at a bargain through sheer effort." Her grip tightened on the steering wheel. "Amateurs shouldn't lecture professionals about commerce."

As the car halted before Stanford University's gates, Evelyn exited without a backward glance.