Julian Lawson opened his mouth, but he couldn’t muster the courage to bring the matter up with his future mother-in-law.

He said awkwardly, "So... when will Charlotte be back? I really do have something I need to discuss with her."

A proud expression appeared on Lana Chambers’ face. "Our Charlotte has gone to Meridia. She’ll probably be there for three to five days. She’s preparing to audition for a major IP production, so she’s in Meridia for some intensive training. She’s determined to land this role. This is all to make you look good, too. After all, if Charlotte becomes a big star, you, as her husband, will be in the spotlight as well."

Julian Lawson didn’t hear a word Lana Chambers said, nor did he care what Charlotte Vaughn was doing.

He said flatly, "Well, since Charlotte isn’t home, I’ll come back to see her in a few days."

Under Lana Chambers’s puzzled gaze, Julian Lawson pressed the elevator button and left.

He returned to the Lawson Group, heavy with anxiety, and headed straight for Mason Lawson’s office.

The secretary couldn’t stop him and apologized profusely to Mason Lawson. "President Lawson, Mr. Julian insisted on seeing you. I told him you were busy, but he forced his way in."

Mason Lawson glanced at Julian Lawson and said to the secretary, "You may leave. Close the door on your way out."

After the secretary left, Julian Lawson couldn’t hold it in any longer. "Uncle, what the hell are you playing at? Why are you the one with Eve Vaughn? When did you get together with her? Wasn’t it Jonah Spencer at the beginning?"

A cold sneer touched Mason Lawson’s lips. "Who gave you the nerve to question me like this?"

Although Julian Lawson was terrified, he straightened his back. "Uncle, don’t force me to have Grandfather question you!"

"Are you threatening me?"

Mason sneered, his narrowed, almond-shaped eyes glinting with an icy chill. "Julian Lawson, go ahead and try. See if Grandfather believes you. Don’t come crying when he scolds you for making baseless accusations and slandering your elder. The loss will far outweigh the gain for you!"

Julian knew exactly where he stood with his grandfather.

If he were to accuse Mason Lawson without solid proof, he would never win.

’Why didn’t I take a picture of them kissing that night?’ he suddenly regretted.

’Even if I didn’t want to use it to ruin Eve Vaughn, it would have been good to have some leverage against Mason Lawson.’

Julian Lawson clenched his fists, glaring at him with hatred. "Uncle, Eve Vaughn can never be with you. There’s a better chance of her being with me than with you. Don’t forget, Grandfather is preparing to make you the heir. You can’t possibly marry Eve Vaughn!"

Mason Lawson hadn’t wanted to get angry with him, feeling it wasn’t worth his time to argue with such a brainless child.

But now, Julian Lawson’s words had inexplicably infuriated him.

Therefore, Mason couldn’t resist a verbal jab, reminding him word by word, "You’re about to get married. What ’possibility’ is there between you and Eve Vaughn?"

Julian suddenly seemed to realize something and said mockingly, "No wonder you disagreed when I mentioned postponing the wedding to you before, Uncle. So you had your own selfish motives. You were already with Eve Vaughn back then, weren’t you? But this time, I’m going to compete with you fairly. I’m not getting married. The history Eve Vaughn and I have, all the way from high school through college, runs far deeper than you can imagine!" 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Mason Lawson snorted. "Then I’ll just have to wait and see how deep your history really runs."

After making his threat, Julian Lawson slammed the door and stormed out, his fear forgotten.

’By what right does Mason Lawson get to steal my woman?’

The more Julian thought about it, the angrier he got. ’Even if she’s a woman I cast aside, Mason Lawson has no right to touch her!’

...

「Rivaster University.」

Ever since Eve Vaughn had brought up breaking up with Mason Lawson, she hadn’t contacted him or seen him.

She had wanted to block him on everything several times, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

For the past few days, she had immersed herself in a sea of knowledge, holing herself up in the library or study hall from early morning until late at night.

It was as if only by doing this could she pretend that person had never existed in her life.

The villa was already listed with an agent, but there had been no buyers yet. After all, a house worth twenty to thirty million was no small sum.

One day, while Eve Vaughn was in the study hall, she was called out by Mia Kendall.

It turned out there was an open casting call for the second female lead in a major IP production. Anyone could audition, whether they were an amateur or an established star.

Getting chosen would basically guarantee a limitless future.

Mia Kendall was ecstatic and asked Eve Vaughn to go with her.

Right now, Eve was willing to do anything that kept her busy and occupied.

She dropped her books off at her dorm and went with Mia to Rivaster Film and Television Company.

The line for the open casting call was huge; they waited for over an hour just to get in.

Just then, a voice called out from a short distance away, "Eve Vaughn? Why is it you again?"

Eve Vaughn and Mia Kendall turned around at the same time to see Charlotte Vaughn, dressed so flamboyantly one might think she was there for a beauty pageant.

Charlotte Vaughn looked Eve Vaughn up and down. "You didn’t even graduate from the Film Academy. What are you doing here crashing the party? You want to be a star? Have you taken a good look in the mirror?"

Mia Kendall immediately shot back, "Evie is here with me! Besides, have *you* taken a look in the mirror? With an attitude like that, coming here and screeching like a banshee! If the director actually picks you, he must be blind!"

"You!"

As she was about to argue, Charlotte Vaughn stopped herself. After all, the most important thing today was the audition.

She forced herself to swallow her anger, a cold smile replacing her rage. She said sinisterly, "Then we’ll just wait and see if you can even make it to the next round! I find it strange, though. What’s with this casting call, letting any old riff-raff wander in?"

Mia Kendall curled her lip and said sarcastically, "You’re right, you’re right. Letting in riff-raff like you really does lower the bar for this whole thing!"

Eve Vaughn pulled Mia back, shaking her head gently. "Forget it. Don’t waste your breath on her. It’s just bad luck."

’Anyway, Mason Lawson already set a trap for Jason Vaughn last time. The Vaughn family is going to be in for a world of trouble soon.’

’Looking at Charlotte Vaughn now, I have no desire to compete with her. She’s just a pathetic, pitiable woman.’

But Charlotte Vaughn didn’t see it that way.

She thought Eve Vaughn was just too scared to cross her now.

After all, she’d heard her father had recently acquired a prime piece of land and construction had already begun. Once the villas were built, the profits would be enough for their family to leap up the social ladder.

On top of that, she was about to become the young mistress of the Lawson family. Charlotte Vaughn felt like she was walking on air.

She shot Eve Vaughn a disdainful glance. "So you finally know how to act around me? Eve Vaughn, you remember this: I am someone you can never afford to cross!"

Mia Kendall was about to fire back, but Eve Vaughn held her back.

While mentally calculating when Charlotte’s family would meet their downfall, she said to her, "Alright, I’ll remember that."

Only then did Charlotte Vaughn back down. What she wanted was for Eve Vaughn to be respectful and not dare to provoke her in the slightest.

After the argument, Eve Vaughn and Mia Kendall continued to wait in line. Charlotte Vaughn was standing not far from them, which meant they would probably be in the same group for the audition.

A little later, Mia said she was thirsty. Eve was worried that if she left to buy a drink now, it might affect her audition.

She said to Mia, "I think there’s a bubble tea shop nearby. I’ll go get you a fruit tea. You just stay in line so you don’t miss your number being called."

Mia leaned against her coquettishly, grinning. "Evie, you’re the best!"

Charlotte Vaughn overheard every word they said.

Her eyes darted as an idea struck her. She quickly pulled her assistant aside and whispered instructions in her ear.

The assistant nodded quickly and secretly followed Eve Vaughn.

Before long, Eve Vaughn returned with a lemon passion fruit tea.

Mia took a contented sip and offered it to her.

Eve Vaughn shook her head. "You forgot, I don’t like sour things. You drink it. I’m not thirsty anyway."

Half an hour later, it was finally Mia Kendall’s turn. As expected, she, Charlotte Vaughn, and three others were assigned to the same group.

Soon, the stage manager would be calling them in to audition together.

Eve Vaughn gave Mia a gesture of encouragement.

Just then, Mia suddenly frowned and clutched her stomach. "Oh no, Evie, I... I think I have diarrhea."

"What? I made sure not to get it iced because I was afraid it would upset your stomach."

Eve panicked too and quickly helped her up. "What are we going to do? It’s your turn any second. Hurry to the restroom, quick!"

The words had barely left her mouth when the stage manager came out and started handing out number cards to their group.

This meant they had to go in right now.

Mia grabbed her hand. "Evie, you go for me!"

"Me?"

Eve was stunned. She quickly waved her hands in refusal. "No way, I can’t. I don’t know how to do anything. I’ve never even studied acting."

Mia wouldn’t let go of her hand. "Even just holding my spot is better than nothing! I’ll come back and explain to the director after I’m done in the restroom. Please!"

With that, she rushed off toward the restrooms.

And just like that, Eve was forced into a situation she was completely unprepared for. Holding Mia’s number card, she followed the stage manager’s directions and went inside with the group.

Charlotte Vaughn was right behind her.

But Charlotte didn’t expose her. Instead, full of mockery, she whispered, "Eve Vaughn, are you sure you want to do this for her? You don’t know a thing. You’ll only make a fool of yourself up there!"

Eve had no time to deal with her. She was incredibly nervous. She’d never been in a situation like this before. ’How am I supposed to help Mia?’

’What if I screw this up for her?’

’Maybe when it’s my turn, I can just explain it clearly to the director? Tell them Mia has diarrhea and went to the bathroom?’

While Eve’s mind was racing, the stage manager led them in front of the judges’ panel.

However, when Eve got a clear look at the five judges sitting before her, her eyes widened in shock.

Because the man sitting in the center was none other than Mason Lawson!

She nearly lost her footing, her body trembling slightly as her heart began to hammer violently in her chest.