「Meanwhile, at the hospital.」

After her IV drip, Mia Kendall was feeling much better.

Mason Lawson had a social engagement that evening, so he had left the hospital, leaving Eve Vaughn alone to keep Mia Kendall company.

Before long, Eric Kendall arrived as well.

Eve Vaughn and Mia Kendall were both very surprised. "What are you doing here?"

Eric Kendall said calmly, "Mason called me. He said something had happened to Mia, and I was worried, so I came to see how she was."

Eve Vaughn stared at him blankly, completely unable to imagine those words coming from Eric Kendall’s mouth.

Normally, he always referred to Mia Kendall by her full name, and his tone was always harsh.

Mia Kendall’s face flushed for no apparent reason.

After all, Eric Kendall had seemed like a different person recently. Although they still weren’t as close as a brother and sister should be, at least he no longer spoke to her with cold sarcasm.

Now, he had even made a special trip to stay with her because she was sick—something Mia Kendall had never imagined possible.

’And this whole change seemed to have started after I filed that complaint against his Crimson Spring Resort.’

’No, that’s not right... It must have started after he kissed me...’

At this thought, Mia Kendall’s heart was thrown into turmoil.

Just then, Eric Kendall reached out and placed his hand on her forehead, his tone gentle. "You don’t have a fever, do you?"

Mia Kendall had lost her usual combative spirit. She just shook her head blankly and said, "The doctor said it was severe diarrhea that led to dehydration and shock."

"Mm, that’s good."

Eric Kendall sat down by her bed, seemingly prepared to stay and keep her company.

Eve Vaughn asked timidly, "Young Mr. Kendall, you... don’t have a fever, do you?"

Eric Kendall narrowed his eyes. "Why would you say that?"

"I..." Eve Vaughn swallowed hard and gave an awkward laugh. "I just feel like you’ve been a completely different person lately."

"What? Are you saying you’d rather see Mia and me at each other’s throats every day? Just for your own amusement?"

Although Eric Kendall was joking, a fleeting shadow of melancholy passed through his eyes.

Neither Eve Vaughn nor Mia Kendall noticed.

Eve Vaughn quickly explained, "Don’t be ridiculous! I don’t want to see you two fight. I just think you’re different than you used to be, that’s all."

’She was even happy for her best friend. If Eric Kendall stopped making things difficult for Mia, her life in the Kendall Family would be much easier.’

Just then, Eric Kendall said to her, "I can take care of Mia. You should head back to school before it gets too late. Mason will worry."

Even though Eric Kendall wasn’t as cruel to Mia Kendall as before, Mia’s collapse had given Eve Vaughn a huge scare.

She shook her head. "It’s fine. I’ll stay here with you and keep her company. Anyway, she only has one bag left in her IV drip."

Eric Kendall didn’t say anything more. He simply picked up an apple and began to peel it.

Mia Kendall pursed her lips slightly, her amber eyes fixed on the apple in his hand.

’Is he... peeling that apple for me?’

Two minutes later, Eric Kendall actually handed the peeled apple to her.

Mia Kendall was a little surprised. Just as she was reaching for it, Eve Vaughn reminded her, "The doctor said your digestive system is a mess right now. You can only have porridge."

However, Mia Kendall took the apple from Eric Kendall anyway.

’This was the first time he had ever peeled an apple for me.’

’It was as if he was finally acting like a real brother.’

Mia Kendall felt a surge of comfort and was deeply touched. "It’s okay," she said. "I’m actually craving an apple right now."

Eve Vaughn couldn’t win against her, so she just shook her head. "Fine, eat it! But when you get diarrhea again, you’ll be the one suffering."

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Eve Vaughn opened the door. A middle-aged man in his fifties or sixties was standing there. "Excuse me," he said, "are you Miss Vaughn?"

"And you are...?"

Eve Vaughn looked at him, puzzled.

The middle-aged man introduced himself, "Hello, Miss Vaughn. I am the butler for the Lawson Family. Old Mr. Lawson would like to invite you to the family home for a talk."

Eve Vaughn then remembered seeing this man when she had taken Julian Lawson to the hospital. He had been supporting Old Mr. Lawson at the time.

’But he’s saying Old Mr. Lawson wants me to go to the Lawson estate?’

’Isn’t that... really strange?’

Eve Vaughn couldn’t put her finger on exactly what felt wrong, but she clearly did not want to go.

But the butler gave her no chance to refuse. He lowered his voice and said, "Miss Vaughn, the Third Young Master’s future is in your hands. He is the son in whom Old Mr. Lawson has placed his highest hopes. It would be best if you didn’t refuse any of his requests."

Eve Vaughn stared at him in astonishment.

’So, he means Old Mr. Lawson already knows about my relationship with Mason?’

Faced with the butler’s veiled threat, she had no way of refusing.

’Because if Old Mr. Lawson already knew, someone would have to take the fall.’

’I don’t want to drag Mason down with me, and I certainly don’t want to be the reason he loses everything he’s worked so hard for.’

And so, she turned to say a quick goodbye to Mia Kendall, then followed the butler out of the hospital.

After Eve Vaughn left, Mia Kendall asked worriedly, "That man just now... he said he’s the Lawson Family’s butler? Why would Old Mr. Lawson be looking for Evie?"

A look of confusion also crossed Eric Kendall’s handsome face. "You’re asking me? How would I know?"

Mia Kendall instinctively sensed that something was wrong. "Do you think something’s wrong?" she said at once. "Call Mason Lawson and ask if he knows anything. I have a bad feeling about this."

At Mia Kendall’s urging, Eric Kendall called Mason Lawson.

Unfortunately, the call went unanswered.

Eric Kendall said, "Right now, Mason is probably still at the banquet hall. There’s an auction tonight, so he’s likely busy and didn’t hear his phone."

An anxious look crossed Mia Kendall’s face. She wished she could go after Evie immediately, afraid her friend would be at a disadvantage going to the Lawson home all by herself.

Eric Kendall seemed to notice her worry and said, "You should worry more about yourself. After all, Eve Vaughn goes to a top-tier university. Her IQ is definitely higher than yours."

"What does IQ have to do with anything?"

Mia Kendall immediately bristled like an angry little hedgehog, fuming, on the verge of starting a fight with him just like old times.

’She realized that she and Eric Kendall could never get along for more than three seconds. They would end up red-faced, arguing over the smallest thing to see who would come out on top.’

But just then, Eric Kendall’s tall, slender frame slowly leaned down. His handsome face, which held a trace of delicate softness, grew clearer and clearer in Mia Kendall’s vision.

The crisp scent of mint, mingled with a hint of chamomile, wafted around her.

In that instant, Mia Kendall held her breath, her body frozen. She could only stare blankly as he drew nearer and nearer.