Chapter 447

Terror gripped Victoria Sinclair's heart. Though Evelyn Carter had transformed dramatically since childhood, her eyes remained unmistakable.

Those piercing green eyes—unchanged after all these years.

Why hadn't she noticed sooner? If she'd realized earlier, she would've eliminated Evelyn before she ever set foot near the Montgomery family.

Now everything hung in the balance. If Evelyn truly was the lost Montgomery heiress...

Victoria's nails dug into her palms. It made no sense—how had none of the Montgomerys recognized her? Julian and Christopher had spent months working alongside Evelyn.

Memories surfaced of Evelyn's childhood boasts about her wealthy parents and mansion. Had she never mentioned this to the Montgomerys?

The unanswered questions churned Victoria's stomach. She wouldn't rest until she confronted Evelyn directly.

Just then, Hannah Winslow approached with obsequious smiles. "Ms. Sinclair! Thank you for recommending me for the orchestra auditions."

"Mr. Kensington loved my performance earlier."

Victoria offered a thin smile. "Congratulations."

Hannah leaned closer, whispering, "And I've found the girl who sings that lullaby you've been searching for."

Victoria's pulse stuttered. She already knew—it had to be Evelyn performing on stage earlier. "Don't waste my time. We both heard her just now."

"You're mistaken, Ms. Sinclair. It's not Evelyn—it's someone else entirely."

Victoria's breath caught. "What?"

Relief flooded her veins. Anyone but Evelyn—she could handle anyone else.

Hannah lowered her voice. "Her name's Danielle Spencer from the Literature Department. An orphan surviving on scholarships."

"Take me to her. Now."

Outside, Victoria spotted a plain girl in thick-framed glasses—utterly unremarkable. No Montgomery bone in that body.

Evelyn, with her regal bearing, looked far more the part. Yet Victoria clung to desperate hope.

Turning to Hannah, she forced gratitude. "Thank you for finding my old friend. I'll need privacy now—dinner next week?"

"Of course, Ms. Sinclair! My pleasure."

As Hannah left, Danielle studied Victoria through her glasses. The way the usually arrogant music student had groveled... this woman clearly held power.