"Mmph..."

Eve Vaughn let out an uncomfortable sound as her lips were suddenly bitten.

But Mason Lawson kissed her more forcefully, as if punishing her, warning her to watch her words in the future—to stop saying things he didn’t like to hear and to stop contradicting him.

The thought that the driver was just outside the car and likely knew exactly what they were doing inside made Eve Vaughn’s face turn so red it felt like it would bleed.

"Little Uncle, Mr. Lawson..."

She pushed against him, saying in exasperation, "Don’t be like this. It’s so embarrassing."

Mason Lawson released her lips, but his large, warm hands continued to caress her. He asked in a husky, intimate voice, "What’s so embarrassing? Is being my woman so shameful?"

Eve Vaughn stammered, "The driver knows we’re... you know... in the car."

Seeing her cautious and flustered appearance, Mason Lawson felt the urge to tease her, so he nibbled on her earlobe.

This was Eve Vaughn’s most sensitive spot, and she couldn’t help but cry and beg for mercy.

In the end, she still found a small measure of release at Mason Lawson’s hands.

Watching the flush that bloomed for him spread from the young woman’s face down to her neck, Mason Lawson finally relented.

Afterward, the driver got back into the car and drove with a blank expression, as if he knew nothing.

But Eve Vaughn, beet red with shame, hid herself in Mason Lawson’s arms.

She had thought they would go back to The Sovereign Pearl, especially since tomorrow was the weekend.

But Mason Lawson still took her back to the university.

Seemingly sensing Eve Vaughn’s confusion, Mason Lawson explained coolly, "It’s one of Old Mr. Lawson’s rules. When he’s home, all the Lawsons must return home every night and have breakfast together in the morning. So, I probably won’t be able to see you as often for a while. You be good, and remember what I said. Stay away from Julian Lawson."

This time, Eve Vaughn didn’t dare challenge his authority again. She nodded quickly. "I know, Mr. Lawson."

Mason Lawson kissed the corner of her mouth again. "Go on, get out. I’ll watch you go in before I leave."

Eve Vaughn got out of the car and jogged all the way onto campus.

By then, it was already past midnight.

Thankfully, the dorm supervisor knew what had happened tonight. Although she had been woken up, she didn’t scold her.

Not only did she open the door for her, but she also asked, "Is your boyfriend okay?"

Eve Vaughn said calmly, "He’s not my boyfriend. But he’s out of danger now."

The dorm supervisor assumed it was just one of those breakup dramas young people often have and didn’t say anything more, just letting her in.

When she got back to her room, Eve Vaughn discovered that her two roommates were still awake.

"Evie, you’re finally back!"

Aria walked over and asked with concern, "Is everything okay now?"

Even Nina Steele, who was usually quiet, looked at her sympathetically and said, "When classes start on Monday, a lot of students are definitely going to be asking all sorts of questions."

Eve Vaughn said, touched, "Thank you, guys. But it’s fine now. That person probably won’t come looking for me again." Aria sighed and said, "So that was your boyfriend. Man, I’m glad we didn’t end up treating him to a meal. He doesn’t deserve it!"

Nina Steele chimed in, "Yeah. You need to be more careful when you get into your next relationship."

Eve Vaughn nodded and said to them, "Don’t worry. Next time, I’ll definitely use a magnifying glass!"

...

Meanwhile, after dropping off Eve Vaughn, Mason Lawson didn’t go straight home. Instead, he returned to the hospital.

After all, when Julian Lawson lured Eve Vaughn out today, he had used his name.

That meant he already knew about his relationship with Eve Vaughn.

Even if he wasn’t certain, he must have gotten a clue from someone.

Mason Lawson only had to think for a moment to know that the ones who had tipped Julian Lawson off were either The Third Madam or Joanna Sullivan.

A chill entered his eyes. He rolled down the car window, and the cold wind that rushed in cleared his head considerably.

He had to go and sound Julian Lawson out, to probe just how much he really knew.

...

At the hospital, Autumn Woods and Ethan Lawson were both there.

The two of them were by Julian Lawson’s bed, asking him all sorts of questions, but he just stared woodenly at the ceiling as if under a spell, not saying a word.

Autumn Woods even found some colleagues and had them take Julian Lawson for a head MRI, afraid that something might be wrong with his brain.

In the end, they found that everything with Julian Lawson was normal.

Autumn Woods was frantic. With a sob in her voice, she said, "Julian, don’t scare your mother. What on earth is wrong with you? Tell me, why did you go looking for Eve Vaughn? What did that wretched girl say to you that made you suddenly pass out?"

Julian Lawson still didn’t speak. ’He was already starting to imagine the consequences.’

’If Eve Vaughn really did succeed in seducing Mason Lawson, Old Mr. Lawson would definitely get to the bottom of it.’

’And if he found out this was all my fault, would the old man beat me to death?’

At this thought, Julian Lawson was even more afraid to tell his parents the truth. It wasn’t that he wanted to cover for Mason Lawson; he was just afraid of being dragged down with him.

Finally, Julian Lawson spoke wearily, "Dad, Mom, you should go home first. I want to rest. You’re being too loud, and it’s giving me a headache."

"But..."

Autumn Woods said, bewildered, "That can’t be right! Your head MRI showed nothing wrong at all."

Ethan Lawson quietly tugged on his wife’s sleeve. "Can’t you see? Julian doesn’t want to listen to us. Forget it, let’s just go outside."

Autumn Woods followed her husband out of the ward, anxious and nervous.

Something suddenly occurred to her. "Oh no. Could it be that Julian’s old feelings for Eve Vaughn have resurfaced? Otherwise, why would he suddenly go looking for her?"

Ethan Lawson sucked in a sharp breath. "No way. The wedding is in just over a week, and we’ve already sent out the invitations. If something goes wrong now, wouldn’t Dad be furious? Would he ever let us live it down?"

Just then, footsteps approached, and they both looked toward the elevators.

Neither of them expected Mason Lawson to return.

It wasn’t until he was standing in front of Ethan and Autumn that she snapped out of it. She said coldly, "Mason, you won another beautiful battle today, utterly humiliating our Julian in front of the old man. What now? Have you come to laugh at us?"

A barely perceptible smile touched Mason Lawson’s lips. "Sister-in-law, you’re being too shallow. Julian is my nephew, and he’s not in good health. No matter what, it’s my duty as his uncle to come and see him."

Autumn Woods didn’t believe for a second that Mason Lawson was that kind. She refused him outright. "That won’t be necessary. Our Julian is already resting. You should go home, too. If there are any sudden changes in his condition, I’ll let you know."

Just then, Julian Lawson’s voice came from inside the hospital room. "Mom, let Little Uncle in."

Autumn Woods was instantly embarrassed and had no choice but to let Mason Lawson into Julian Lawson’s room.

In front of Julian Lawson, Mason Lawson adopted the posture of an elder, looking down on him. "If you’re not well, you shouldn’t try to be a hero, running to a girl’s dormitory late at night to stand in the cold. In the end, you even had her take you to the hospital. How embarrassing is that?"

Julian Lawson flushed red with frustration. After all, every one of Mason Lawson’s words sounded like concern, but in reality, they were all insults!

He looked at Mason Lawson and asked, word by word, "Little Uncle, when did Eve Vaughn start seducing you? You... surely you wouldn’t be tempted by a woman like her, right?"