Chapter 3 Evelyn Winterbourne

Now, in a world of loneliness and emptiness, Livia felt the weight of the world without her father by her side. Tears streamed down her cheeks, soaking the crumpled job application letter in her hand.

She missed her happy childhood when she still had everything. Suddenly, a shadow blocked the afternoon sunlight shining on her face. Livia raised her head, and in that instant, her breath caught.

In front of her stood a middle-aged woman with an elegant aura and piercing eyes. Her clothes were simple, but the way she stood exuded class and authority.

An owl-shaped brooch encrusted with green gemstones poked out from beneath the silk scarf around her neck, adding to her mysterious air. Livia was transfixed, unable to utter a single word. She felt as if she was drowning in the woman's mysterious eyes.

There was a strange familiarity as if she had met the woman before, but she could not remember when or where. A faint smile spread across the woman's lips as if she could read Livia's mind. "I'm sorry, child. I didn't mean to frighten you," she said in a husky, soothing voice.

"My name is Evelyn Winterbourne. May I sit beside you?" Without waiting for an answer, Evelyn gracefully took her place beside Livia. She took out a lacy handkerchief from her small bag and offered it to Livia.

"You look tired, child. What's wrong? Livia hesitantly accepted the handkerchief and wiped away her tears. She looked at Evelyn with a questioning gaze. Who was this woman? And what was the purpose of her visit?

As if she could read Livia's mind, Evelyn said, "I know who you are, Livia Vane. And I know what you're going through." Livia's heart skipped a beat. How could this stranger know her and know her problems? There was a mysterious aura surrounding Evelyn, making Livia feel small and vulnerable.

She wanted to leave, but something held her back. She had to know more about this woman.

"Excuse me, but... who are you?" asked Livia hesitantly. "And how do you know my name?"

Evelyn smiled slightly, "I've known your family for a long time, Livia. Your father... Rhysand is an old friend of mine."

Hearing her father's name mentioned, Livia's heart felt like it was being squeezed. She looked at Evelyn expectantly, "Really? You know my father?"

"Yes, dear," Evelyn replied softly. "We worked together once, but it was a long time ago. He never told you about me?"Livia shook her head. She did not recall her father ever mentioning Evelyn's name.

"Never. But... if I may know, what are you doing here? And how did you find me?"Evelyn stared into the distance at the fountain in the centre of the garden as if lost in memories of the past. "I came to help you, Livia. I know you're going through a difficult time. And I'm here to offer you a solution."

"A solution?" asked Livia with a furrowed brow. "A solution to what?"

Evelyn turned to face Livia, her eyes full of meaning. "The solution to all your problems, my dear. The solution to saving your family."

Livia was stunned, looking at Evelyn with a mixture of hope and doubt. "What do you mean?" she asked cautiously. "How can you help us? We've lost everything." Evelyn gently rubbed the back of Livia's hand.

"Don't say that, dear. You still have each other. And that's more than enough to start over." She took a deep breath as if gathering strength before continuing.

"I know who defrauded your father, Livia. And I know how to make them pay." Livia's eyes widened. "You know? Who are they? And how can you prove it?"

"I'll tell you everything in due time, dear," Evelyn replied mysteriously. "But right now, you must trust me. I can help you return everything that has been taken from you. But I need your help, too." Livia felt as if she was at a crossroads. On the one hand, she was hesitant to trust this strange woman.

But on the other hand, she had no other choice. She had to try every opportunity to get justice for her father and save her life with her mother.

"What should we do?" Livia asked in a soft voice. Evelyn smiled with satisfaction. "Good, dear. The right decision. Now, listen to me carefully..."

"Wait." Livia interrupted, her chest pounding erratically. "Before we go any further, could you tell us who you are, and how you can help us?"

Evelyn looked at Livia with an unreadable look in her eyes. "I understand your concern, Livia. But trust me, all will be revealed in due time. All you need to know right now is that I know your father well, even more than you think."

"But..." Livia still wanted to ask further, but Evelyn raised her hand, stopping her. "Be patient, dear. One thing's for sure, I know exactly who's behind all of this. I also know how to make them pay for what they've done to your family."

"Who are they?" Livia urged hopefully. "Tell me who has ruined our lives?"Evelyn shook her head slowly. "Not yet, Livia. I can't say now. What is certain is that they are very dangerous. If they find out I came to see you, the lives of all three of us could be in danger."

Tension gripped Livia's heart. Who exactly was this mysterious woman? And who was the enemy she was referring to? Those questions swirled in her mind, but she knew that pressing Evelyn would only make things more complicated.

"All right, Livia. I'll be honest with you." Evelyn took a deep breath, her gaze turning sad. "I... I am the wife of your uncle, your father's brother-in-law."

Livia was stunned. Uncle? She did have a paternal uncle, but they rarely communicated. She remembered that her father and uncle did not have a good relationship. "Uncle Edgar?" she asked hesitantly.

Evelyn nodded. "Yes, Edgar Vane. We rarely see your family. I travel out of town a lot because of my work. But believe me, Livia, we are very concerned about what happened to your father and the two of you."

"Then... what do you mean by offering a solution?" asked Livia hopefully and questioningly.