Chapter 129: Chapter 129: You Didn’t Think I Was Going to Kiss You, Did You?

Mia Kendall held her breath, her nerves stretched taut. She was about to push Eric Kendall away as he leaned closer, but he caught her by the wrist.

His eyes were dark and bright, a hint of a smile playing in their depths. "You didn’t think I was going to kiss you, did you?" he asked.

Mia Kendall was instantly so embarrassed she wished the ground would swallow her whole. "I... I wasn’t!" she stammered in her defense.

Unfortunately, her crimson cheeks had already given her away.

Eric Kendall’s lips curled into a smile. "I was just going to adjust the speed of your IV drip," he said.

The IV line wasn’t on his side of the bed, after all. It was on the other.

That was why he had to lean forward to reach it.

Even though Eric Kendall’s excuse was perfectly reasonable, Mia Kendall’s heart was still pounding. She felt incredibly unsettled.

As if to convince him—and perhaps to remind herself—Mia Kendall suddenly blurted out, "Eric Kendall, we’re siblings. We may not be related by blood, but we’re brother and sister in name. Of course I didn’t think you were going to kiss me; I’m not that foolish. Anyway... you should go. I’ll be fine on my own. It’s just an IV drip. It’s nothing serious."

A flicker of disdain and gloom passed through his eyes, but she didn’t see it.

He met her gaze calmly. "It’s perfectly normal for a brother to look after his sister, isn’t it? Unless you’re the one harboring other ideas. Is that why you’re so desperate for me to leave?"

Mia Kendall’s gaze faltered, a newfound coyness in her expression. "I’m not harboring any other ideas. I’m just not used to you being so nice to me all of a sudden. It’s a bit overwhelming, is all."

Eric Kendall enunciated each word clearly. "From now on, I’m going to be even better to you."

Mia Kendall stared at him, bewildered. She sensed a hidden meaning in his words, but she truly couldn’t grasp what it was.

Being alone with Eric Kendall now, she felt nothing but awkwardness and tension.

Mia Kendall had no choice but to change the subject. "Why don’t you try calling Mason Lawson again? See if he answers. By now, Evie has probably already reached the Lawson residence."

...

When Eve Vaughn arrived at the Lawson residence, the vast living room was already filled with people.

To Eve Vaughn’s surprise, Charlotte Vaughn was there as well.

Every single person wore a grim expression, but Old Mr. Lawson, seated in the center, had a gaze as sharp as a blade, fixed unblinkingly on her.

Eve Vaughn’s heart leaped into her throat. It would have been a lie to say she wasn’t scared.

The Third Madam pointed a finger at her, the first to speak. "You shameless hussy! Tell me, how exactly did you seduce our Mason?"

The words had barely left her mouth when Autumn Woods let out a cold sneer. "Third Madam, how are you so sure this girl seduced your Mason? For all we know, the feelings were mutual!"

Autumn Woods had only just learned that Eve Vaughn and Mason Lawson were together, and that they had been for quite some time.

Beyond her shock, she even felt a touch of malicious glee, because Mason Lawson had been dragged into the muck as well.

And so, Autumn Woods seized the opportunity to mock The Third Madam relentlessly, until the other woman’s face turned livid with rage.

"What nonsense are you spouting?" The Third Madam raged. "It wasn’t long ago that our Mason went on a blind date with a woman with a medical doctorate—it’s not like you didn’t know! She’s from Calypsos, from a good family, with excellent prospects! Why would Mason possibly be interested in a girl that even your Julian cast aside?"

Autumn Woods was about to fire back a sharp retort, but Old Mr. Lawson slammed his hand on the table and roared, "All of you, be quiet!"

After the old man spoke, the living room finally fell silent. You could have heard a pin drop.

Eve Vaughn was panicking. ’I feel like I’ve walked into a den of vipers!’

’But does Mason Lawson even know about this?’

’Does he have any idea that his family has discovered our relationship?’

Eve Vaughn fought back her panic, forcing herself to think calmly. ’What’s my next move?’

’When the time comes, how can I answer Old Mr. Lawson without dragging Mason into this mess?’

Old Mr. Lawson sized her up and down, scrutinizing her for a long time before he spoke. "I hear Mason brought you into his life to be his little mistress. How long has this been going on?"

Eve Vaughn frowned reflexively. ’I can’t believe a man his age would speak so crudely.’

Mustering her courage, she met his piercing gaze and said, "Mr. Lawson did help me out when I was going through a difficult time, but we are not in any kind of romantic relationship."

Old Mr. Lawson’s eyes narrowed as he spoke in a sinister tone, "You dare to lie to my face! A slip of a girl like you has my son and grandson completely infatuated. Did you really think a simple denial would get you out of this today?"

A defiant glint appeared in Eve Vaughn’s eyes. "If you’re determined to find fault, you’ll never be short of an excuse. If you’ve already decided I’m guilty, why bother asking me at all?"

Standing beside his mother, Julian Lawson shot a sideways glance at Eve Vaughn, a hint of worry in his eyes.

’He’d never seen anyone dare to speak to his grandfather with such an attitude.’

Sure enough, after Eve Vaughn spoke, Old Mr. Lawson’s expression darkened even further. A grim smile touched his lips. "Fine. It doesn’t matter if you won’t admit it. Let me ask you this, then: Julian postponed his wedding because of you. He doesn’t want to marry Charlotte. That, at least, is a fact, isn’t it? So you tell me, what did you say to Julian? What sort of spell did you cast on him to make him come to such an outrageous decision?"

Eve Vaughn looked at Julian Lawson, utterly baffled. ’Who knows what possessed him to call off his own wedding?’

She turned back to the old man indignantly. "I know even less about that! Julian Lawson and I are ancient history. Who he marries—or doesn’t marry—is his own business. It has absolutely nothing to do with me!"

Just then, Charlotte Vaughn suddenly interjected, "Easy for you to say! If it weren’t for you, why would Julian call off the wedding? I already asked his driver—he’s been to Rivaster University looking for you several times recently! Is that not proof that you’ve been seducing him?"

Eve Vaughn suddenly whirled on Julian Lawson, enunciating every word. "Did you tell them I seduced you? Who was it that kept showing up at Rivaster University when you had no business being there? Does your decision to call off your wedding have anything to do with me? Do me a favor and explain things clearly to your family. Stop dragging me into your messes every single time."

Autumn Woods immediately grew angry. "Eve Vaughn, what do you mean by that? This is the Lawson residence! How dare you ask Julian to lie for you right in front of his grandfather?"

Old Mr. Lawson was determined to get to the bottom of things today. "Julian, come here!" he commanded.

Julian Lawson flinched when he heard his grandfather call his name. He quickly walked over to the old man and lowered his head. "Grandfather, you called."

Old Mr. Lawson’s tone was sharp and authoritative. "Tell me the truth. Was this idea to postpone the wedding your own, or did someone pressure you? And as for this Miss Eve Vaughn—is it really as she claims, that your feelings are entirely one-sided?"