---- Chapter 25 Eve let out a derisive laugh. "Alina." Eve elegantly sipped her champagne and said, "| recall you were confidently claiming just a few days ago that you were pregnant with Lucas's baby, weren't you?" Alina's face turned pale instantly, and her fingers instinctively tightened around Ryan's arm. "And now you're marrying Ryan..." Eve's gaze swept back and forth between Alina and Ryan. "Does Lucas know about it?" Vickie suddenly stepped forward and shielded Alina. "Eve, let bygones be bygones. Everyone makes mistakes when they're young..." "Mistakes?" Samuel interrupted with a cold laugh. His eyes were full of sarcasm. "Being pregnant with another man's baby and yet planning to marry my father. It is not a mistake." Ryan's face darkened, and his bony fingers suddenly gripped Alina's chin. "Is what she says true? Are you carrying another guy's baby?" Alina was in such pain that tears streamed down her face. She hurried to explain. "It's not true! My dear, it was alla story made up to appease my father. | had to do that just to survive." ---- "Exactly. Alina was just too scared at that time." Vickie chimed in apologetically, "Her father was furious at the time, and she had to say that to protect herself." She turned to Ryan. "You know how a young woman can panic in such a situation." Ryan nodded thoughtfully, and the anger on his face gradually faded. He reached out to pat Alina's shoulder. "Fine, dear. Don't be nervous. | believe your explanation." Eve pressed her lips together, and displeasure flashed in her eyes. But soon she resumed her polite smile. "In that case, | respect Ryan's choice." Eve stood up. "However, | think that before the wedding, Alina had better undergo a thorough medical examination. After all, to become the mistress of the Vittorine family, good health is the most basic requirement." Ryan nodded in agreement. "You're right. | will arrange for the doctor to come tomorrow." Vickie's smile froze for a moment but quickly returned to normal. "Of course, that's necessary. Alina has always been in good health. | can assure you." Seeing Vickie's demeanor, Eve and Samuel exchanged a glance. They silently came to a conclusion. ---- Back in the bedroom, Eve surveyed the room's decor and casually brought up the earlier events in the reception room. "Ryan really is getting senile. He actually believed such a clumsy lie from Alina." Samuel sneered, "He is just blinded by the beautiful woman and doesn't think straight. You might find it hard to believe, but he has harbored such animosity towards your family partly because of Vickie. Back then, when Vickie was a stripper at a nightclub, both Ryan and Robert were interested in her. But initially, Vickie chose Robert." Eve gasped as she covered her mouth in shock. "There's such a history behind this. So Vickie chose Robert back then, and now she wants Alina to replicate her success by marrying Ryan." Samuel was silent for a moment before saying, "I suspect their ultimate aim is me and the entire Vittorine family." Eve also fell silent. But after a moment, she suddenly laughed. "How ironic it is! A stripper's daughter dared to dream of replacing me, the princess of the Costa family." Samuel embraced Eve from behind and rested his chin on her shoulder. "Are you jealous?" Eve shook her head. "You're not Lucas. | know you won't fall for Alina's trap." Samuel chuckled softly and then lifted Eve and tossed her ---- onto the soft bed. They spent a peaceful night. The next morning, as soon as Eve woke up, she received the news that Alina's medical examination results were fine. And Ryan had already spread the news that he was marrying Costa's daughter. The wedding would be held three days later. Robert called Eve in disbelief. "How dare they? When did Alina go to the Vittorine family's manor? That bitch dares to impersonate my daughter." Eve held the phone a bit away and waited for her father's roar to subside. Then she said, "Dad, calm down. It could be an opportunity." Robert sneered, "An opportunity? Is it an opportunity for Ryan to insult our family?" Samuel walked out of the bathroom, and water droplets trailed down his abs. He took the phone from Eve. "Mr. Costa, please trust Eve." His voice was steady and powerful. "Don't worry. Just watch closely, and | promise that the wedding will be a disaster for Vickie and Alina."