Inside a high-end café.

Although Mason Lawson was in a suit, his tie was off, and the top two buttons of his shirt were undone, all indicating his casual attitude toward this blind date.

But to his surprise, Regina Shaw was even more casual.

She’d shown up in a casual teddy bear jacket and jeans, looking like a completely different person from her usual ’young miss’ self.

However, upon seeing Mason Lawson in person, she was still slightly stunned.

A pang of regret immediately followed.

’If only I’d known, I would have dressed up properly.’

Her mother had told her that this man was a shrewd operator in the business world and was already thirty. Regina Shaw had naturally assumed he would be some greasy businessman who had been around the block.

But she hadn’t expected his looks to rival those of a celebrity. While she wouldn’t say it was love at first sight, Regina Shaw was more than satisfied with Mason Lawson’s overall aura and appearance.

Thus, she explained awkwardly, "M-Mr. Lawson, please don’t mind my clothes. I was in the lab all day, so I just wore whatever was comfortable. Next time, I’ll definitely prepare properly."

"It’s fine, Miss Shaw. This is good. At least, it’s real."

Mason Lawson took a sip of his coffee, his expression neutral as he delivered a reasonably fair assessment.

Regina Shaw wished she could find a hole to crawl into. ’This isn’t my ’real’ side at all!’

She usually went for an elegant style, or something chic and sophisticated.

But, her pride getting in the way, Regina Shaw didn’t press the explanation. Instead, she asked with a deeper meaning, "I heard Mr. Lawson has reached the age of thirty. Your standards for a marriage partner must be quite high, then? Otherwise, an outstanding man like you would have been taken long ago."

Mason Lawson, of course, knew what she meant. This was her indirect way of asking about his relationship history.

"You’re too kind, Miss Shaw. I was busy with work in previous years, so I put matters of love on the back burner. I’m still very busy with work now, so I’m looking for a good wife and loving mother who can manage the home front for me. I hope that after marriage, Miss Shaw can stay at home to support her husband and raise the children, fulfilling her duties as a helpful wife."

After Mason Lawson finished, Regina Shaw’s expectations instantly vanished.

’I studied for so many years—was it all just to become his ’helpful wife’?’

’In his dreams!’

Regina Shaw stood up abruptly and said, "Mr. Lawson, I don’t think our values align. There’s no need to continue this conversation."

A fleeting smile crossed Mason Lawson’s lips, but he feigned ignorance and added fuel to the fire. "If you’re dissatisfied with something, Miss Shaw, you can be direct. However, my wife staying home to be my helpmate is my bottom line. Building a career, after all, is not a woman’s duty."

Regina Shaw nearly fainted from anger. A man with such great looks and presence actually had such archaic views.

’How many years has it been since the Qing Dynasty fell?’

She forced a smile and said, "Well then, I wish Mr. Lawson an early success in finding his ideal partner."

With that, Regina Shaw practically fled as if escaping a plague, afraid that if she stayed another minute, she’d end up married into the Lawson Family and forced to become a housewife!

Mason Lawson watched the woman’s hastily retreating figure, the smile on his lips growing wider.

Just then, Neil Kane walked over from a nearby table and said to Mason Lawson, "Boss, you’re brilliant! No wonder you had me investigate Regina Shaw’s personality beforehand. You really know how to read people perfectly."

Mason Lawson nonchalantly finished his coffee. "Since Old Mr. Lawson wants me to go on blind dates, why should I fight him on it? I’ll go! These young ladies from prestigious families are all spoiled. They naturally have things they can’t tolerate."

Neil Kane could see it now. From here on out, Mason Lawson was planning to repeatedly dance on the landmines of these young ladies, making them retreat on their own accord.

And even though Mason Lawson was orchestrating everything, he could act all innocent and just say the women weren’t interested in him. That way, Old Mr. Lawson would have nothing to say.

At this thought, Mason Lawson’s mood lightened considerably.

Just then, Eric Kendall called, wanting him to come hang out at the club.

Mason Lawson realized he hadn’t seen Eve Vaughn in a few days, so he turned down Eric Kendall and drove to Rivaster University by himself.

After returning from a barbecue with Aria, Eve Vaughn sat spacing out in her dorm room.

’What are Mason Lawson and Regina Shaw doing right now, at this very moment?’ she wondered.

Suddenly, her phone rang, startling her.

Seeing it was a call from Mason Lawson, she wanted to decline it, but some things couldn’t be avoided.

’Since it happened, we have to clear the air.’

She answered the call, and upon learning he was right at her university’s gate, she headed out.

On her way down, she ran into Regina Shaw coming up the stairs.

Eve Vaughn gave a self-deprecating laugh. ’So, he finished the blind date, dropped Regina Shaw off, and then came to see me as an afterthought.’ 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

She ignored Regina Shaw and quickened her pace, rushing out of the university gate.

Mason Lawson’s car was parked on the other side of the road.

Just as she was about to cross, a black Porsche screeched to a halt right in front of her.

Eve Vaughn jumped back in fright, taking two steps back before realizing it was Julian Lawson.

"Why is it you again?"

Eve Vaughn had no desire to speak with him. She just wanted to get across the street and demand a clear explanation from Mason Lawson.

But Julian Lawson said, "Evie, I came to thank you for saving me the other day and taking me to the hospital."

Eve Vaughn frowned and replied coldly, "You’re welcome. I wouldn’t stand by and watch even if it were a stray cat or dog collapsed in front of me."

Julian Lawson’s heart ached as he listened to her merciless taunt.

He clenched his fists and said with a cold smirk, "I know you’re still dreaming of becoming my little aunt. But Eve Vaughn, your dream is about to be shattered. I’ll be honest with you—my grandfather has already arranged blind dates for my uncle, all with heiresses from prestigious families. Tell me, what chance do you think you have against rivals like that?"

Eve Vaughn’s heart felt as if it had been stabbed, the pain overwhelming.

She pretended to be unfazed. "Is there anything else? If you only came to tell me this, then there’s no need. It has nothing to do with me."

Julian Lawson was taken aback, but he quickly shot her a mocking look. "You dare say you don’t have other intentions toward my uncle? Now that you know he isn’t interested in you, you’re finally ready to give up, aren’t you?"

"Who says I’m not interested in her?"

Just then, Mason Lawson’s bone-chilling voice came from behind them. Julian Lawson’s heart leaped into his throat as he turned around in disbelief.

And there he was—his uncle, staring at him with a dark expression, his gaze as sharp as a knife.