The jeep came to a stop at the shabby alley entrance, instantly drawing the attention of the onlookers.

"Is it true Evelyn Hart is really going to be Victor Graham's concubine?"

"And she’s dragging along that little tagalong, her daughter? Does she not worry the Grahams will kick them out?"

"I always knew she wasn’t some innocent widow. Dressing up every day like that—she’s got 'man-snatcher' written all over her."

"How could Victor Graham even be interested in a widow?"

"They say she saved his life once..."

The crowd buzzed with all sorts of gossip.

This poor alley, packed with ordinary folk, now had something big to talk about. Evelyn Hart was marrying into the Grahams! Becoming the fourth concubine!

It was like winning the lottery—rags to riches, the Harts were about to hit it big.

With all eyes on her, Evelyn tugged her daughter’s hand and sat up straight in the back seat of the jeep.

On the way to the Graham estate, Evelyn kept coaching her daughter. "Now, once we’re there, you’d better be sharp. When you see the Commander, call him 'Daddy,' okay? And you remember Mr. Graham, don’t you? From now on, he’s your father..."

"Wait, Mr. Graham?""Daddy! Commander Daddy!"

"Commander Daddy?"

"That's right!"

The Graham mansion was a grand white villa, looking almost like a castle. As the iron gates slid open, the car glided across the manicured lawn and stopped at the entrance.

Mianmian pressed her face against the car window, her wide eyes darting around with curiosity. "Mama, this place is so pretty."

Evelyn Hart didn't respond this time.

Not only did she ignore her, but she also forgot to carry her out of the car when she got off.

The jeep was too high for Mianmian, and she stretched out her stubby little legs, trying and failing to reach the ground. Her tiny feet dangled in mid-air as she struggled.

Meanwhile, Evelyn was already walking ahead, leaving her behind. Mianmian looked around before raising her small hand towards Henry Clarke, who was standing nearby.

"Uncle, carry me."

Henry glanced down and saw a round little face with soft, chubby cheeks, impossibly adorable.

As he hesitated, her hand remained up, her big, dark, grape-like eyes blinking expectantly. She urged him again in her sweet, soft voice, "Carry me, please."

It was his first time encountering such a cheeky little girl. Without giving it much thought, Henry bent down and scooped her up in his arms. He lifted her up, but his wrist sank all of a sudden—almost dropped her.

This little girl... she's heavier than she looks!

Cotton landed on the floor with a thud and said politely, “Thank you, Uncle.”

“You’re welcome, kid.”

The double doors of the mansion were wide open, flanked by two rows of maids in black-and-white uniforms. Inside, the opulence was overwhelming—the crystal chandelier sparkled even in the middle of the day.

In the sitting room, Margaret Brooks, Victor Graham’s wife, and his three other mistresses were seated on the leather sofa.

They had been waiting here since early morning—the new mistress was arriving today.

The moment Evelyn Hart and her daughter walked in, they were met with four pairs of scrutinizing eyes.

“Cotton,” Evelyn whispered nervously, tugging her daughter’s sleeve, “say hello.”

Cotton stared curiously at the women in front of her.

Evelyn Hart had come to marry Victor Graham as his fourth mistress. She’d reminded Cotton repeatedly—she was here to be part of this family, to be Victor’s daughter now.

So Cotton puffed out her small chest and, with all the confidence in the world, began greeting them: “Mama!”

The four women froze.

Evelyn was stunned too.

Cotton’s sweet little voice fired off like a machine gun.

“Mama!”

“Mama!”

“Mama!”

Four mamas—you’ve got yourself a daughter now! After a brief silence, Daisy Quinn couldn’t hold back her laughter.

"Since when did our house have such low standards? Any random stray can come and claim to be family nowadays."

"Strays?" Cotton’s eyes lit up. "Where are they?"

She eagerly looked around, her face full of curiosity, but before she could spot anything, Evelyn Hart pulled her behind.

Margaret Brooks spoke in a calm tone, "Miss Hart, the General is busy with military matters today. He already informed me to welcome you into our home."

As she said that, her gaze fell on the little girl peeking out from behind Evelyn. The child, small and stubby-limbed, clung tightly to her mother’s leg. From behind, she poked her chubby little face out, looking adorable and innocent.

Recalling the child’s earlier call of "Mommy," Margaret couldn’t suppress a chuckle.

"This is my daughter," Evelyn Hart stated firmly. "The General is fully aware of it."

Daisy Quinn sneered. "Oh, how caring of the General. Bringing back a woman wasn’t enough, now he’s brought home a kid too. People might start thinking this place is some kind of charity house.""Alright, that's enough. Stop talking," Margaret Brooks turned to interrupt, then waved at Cotton. "Come here, little one."

On the coffee table sat a pot of freshly brewed tea and a plate of snacks.

Cotton glanced at her mom, and with no sign of disapproval, she trotted over quickly.

Looking up at Margaret Brooks, she hesitated for a second, then confidently chirped, "Mom!"

Margaret let out another laugh. "What's your name, sweetheart?"

"Cotton, just Cotton!"

"And how old are you, Cotton?"

"I'm three years old!"

After a few more questions, Margaret finally shifted her attention to Evelyn Hart. "I didn’t realize you had a daughter too. She’s so little. You two can share a room for now."

Evelyn's face softened a bit as she gave a reserved nod. “Thank you.”

"You’ll be staying upstairs on the second floor. Ah Xiang, take them there," Margaret instructed a maid nearby. "And bring the Fifth Madam’s belongings along as well."

Leading the way, the maid said, "Fifth Madam, please follow me this way."

Even as they walked quite a distance, Daisy Quinn’s voice floated over from the sitting room:

"Honestly, I thought she’d be impressive, but she’s just... meh."

Evelyn’s face flushed red with anger. The stairs were steep, so little Millie eagerly stretched out her tiny arms. Evelyn Hart bent down and picked her up, her footsteps thudding against the wooden stairs as she climbed.

Once inside the room, she shut the door behind them. As soon as the maid walked away, Evelyn began to vent her frustration.

"Unbelievable! They’re so full of themselves. We saved Victor Graham’s life, for heaven’s sake!"

"Crunch."

"All of them are just concubines! Who knows who’ll be favored the most in the future!"

"…"

"And you, you little dummy, I've only got one daughter, and you go around calling them 'mom'?!"

"Crunch."

When she got no response, Evelyn turned to see Millie, her cheeks puffed out as she munched away, crumbs of biscuit scattering all over.

Evelyn recognized the treat immediately—western cookies from the department store, sprinkled with crushed almonds.

"Millie, where did you get those cookies?"

"Mom gave them to me."

"Which mom?"

Millie answered cheerfully, "The biggest one!"