Chapter 789

Ashlyn’s expression remained cold. She cast an icy gaze at Ryan before releasing her grip on Mary without warning.

Mary sprawled on the ground pathetically like an oxygen-deprived eel.

She trembled uncontrollably, for she had no doubt that if Ryan had not come over to call a halt to things, Ashlyn would have certainly strangled her to death.

“I’ll let you go today for the sake of Mr. Yates and Old Mrs. Yates. You’d best tell me the truth.” Ashlyn emanated a murderous aura.

Her grace and elegance from before were all but gone. At that moment, she was like Grim Reaper, who came from the underworld to take lives.

In the next heartbeat, however, she regained her previous indifference and composure. Turning to Bianca beside her, she said apologetically, “I’m sorry. It’s your birthday banquet today, yet I did such a disrespectful thing.”

Unexpectedly, Bianca regarded Ashlyn with a complex look in her eyes. “Sweetie, is your mother named Alice Chapman?”

Lifting her eyes, Ashlyn looked at the woman in puzzlement, only to notice that the latter was not glaring at her furiously. Contrarily, a trace of suppressed excitement showed in the older woman’s eyes.

Ashlyn pursed her lips for a moment. “Yes, that’s my mother.”

“Then… do you recognize this handkerchief?”

With trembling hands, Bianca took out a handkerchief. It was the one with a centenary icon, which she had kept for many years.

Ashlyn’s eyes stung, and she ventured, “From the embroidery technique… it’s my mother’s work?”

“Yes.” Bianca was seemingly lost in her memories, murmuring, “More than ten years ago, I personally went to H Nation to look for my daughter. It was drizzling at that time, and I bumped into Ms. Chapman, who was embroidering earnestly by the lake. Back then… she was beautiful. Her eyes shimmered like stars, and her features were exquisite. She was a very gentle lady.”

Her eyes turning red-rimmed, she continued, “I was all too tired and weary, falling into despair. I thought I’d possibly never see my daughter in this lifetime. I slumped to the ground by the lake and started weeping. It was her who gifted this handkerchief to me. She said the centenary icon on it would undoubtedly bring blessings upon my daughter and me.”

By then, tears escaped her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. “I’ve loved embroidery for my entire life, and I’m also skilled in it. However, Ms. Chapman’s embroidery is unparalleled. I love it. I also cherish this handkerchief greatly. Above everything, I cherish Ms. Chapman’s kindness.”

Subsequently, she lamented, “It’s the Yates family who wronged you and your mother. My daughter, Mary, committed too many misdeeds. Not only did she insult and disparage you, but she even did many things that hurt you. I’m the one who should apologize to you on her behalf.”

Patting the back of Ashlyn’s hand, she queried, “What kind of compensation would you like, Sweetie?

Tell me everything, and I’ll definitely fulfill all your heart’s desires.”

That remark stunned everyone present.

After all, Bianca was no ordinary elderly woman but the wife of a count in Maredania!

If one could have her fulfill all of one’s heart’s desires despite the lack of blood ties, that would be a veritable honor.

Ashlyn lowered her eyes and chuckled. “I don’t need any compensation, Old Mrs. Yates. I only need you to introduce someone to me.”

Bianca looked at her up close. Under the lights, even her skin glowed crystalline.

“Who is it? Just tell me.”

“I’ll tell you later.” Ashlyn glanced around and noticed that the expert psychologist Sinclair mentioned, his mentor, was not present.

“Okay, then.” Smiling, Bianca took out another handkerchief given to her by Nicholas as a birthday gift.

“Do you know who embroidered this handkerchief, Sweetie? The embroidery technique employed in this is exactly the same as your mother’s, but this handkerchief is very new. Earlier, Mary said that your mother had passed away… Could it be that someone else inherited her embroidery skills?”

Nicholas’ lips trembled. He, too, wanted to know the answer.

Back then, that woman misplaced a scented sachet. The word “Alice” was embroidered on it.

He searched for her for many years, but to no avail. She seemed to have vanished from the face of the earth all of a sudden. The embroidery of “Alice” on the scented sachet was precisely the same as the “Alice” embroidered at the lower right corner of the handkerchief Bianca treasured.