After that day, preparations for Julian Lawson’s wedding continued in full swing.

Mrs. Lawson, Autumn Woods, took Charlotte Vaughn everywhere, introducing her to prominent high-society families. Meanwhile, at the company, a great deal of power had already been transferred into Ethan Lawson’s hands.

The only difference was that while Mason Lawson had previously held independent decision-making authority, Ethan Lawson now had to get approval from the old master before making any decision. He couldn’t act alone.

Even so, after being suppressed by Mason Lawson for so long, Ethan’s side of the family had finally made a comeback.

For a time, they were basking in their newfound glory.

Although Charlotte Vaughn had been eliminated during the auditions for a TV series, she had now gotten her revenge. She had even managed to bring down Mason Lawson.

She felt like she was floating on air. She even told herself, ’What’s so great about being a celebrity? Aren’t they just objects for people’s amusement and admiration?’

’But I’m different!’

’I’m the young mistress of the Lawson family. Now, countless corporate bigwigs have to treat me with the utmost respect.’

’Who wouldn’t look up to me now?’

And so, Charlotte Vaughn followed Mrs. Lawson every day, building her network in high society. Mrs. Lawson even paid visits to the Kendall, Spencer, and Hale families—the three other great families of Rivaster whose power rivaled that of the Lawsons.

...

To avoid any misunderstanding and make their stance clear, Eric Kendall and his friends all made excuses to be away from home when Mrs. Lawson came to visit with her future daughter-in-law.

Now, the group was gathered at The Sovereign Pearl.

It had been over a week since Mason Lawson’s beating, so they wanted to come and check on him.

Mason was no longer going to the office. His attire wasn’t as formal or stiff as before; instead, he wore a grey loungewear set.

His hair wasn’t meticulously styled either, falling casually across his forehead. He almost looked like a college student.

Hamilton Hale had just finished checking his wounds. "Not bad," he said, satisfied. "They’ve almost all healed and scabbed over. It’s thanks to Eve Vaughn taking such good care of you."

Jonah Spencer chimed in, "See? Love really is the best medicine."

Mason smiled without saying anything. "Eve will be back from class soon," he told them. "Don’t tease her. She’s thin-skinned and gets embarrassed easily."

"Enough is enough, Mason!" Eric Kendall interrupted. "Do you have any idea how chaotic things are out there? Are you really planning to give up everything for Eve Vaughn? Your sister-in-law brought Charlotte Vaughn to my house today. The way she was acting, are you just going to let the Lawson family become Ethan and Julian’s empire?"

Jonah Spencer nodded. "They came to my house this morning, too. They definitely had that insufferable air of someone punching above their weight who just got lucky. But knowing you, Mason, you must have something up your sleeve, right? I refuse to believe you’d just hand the Lawson family over to them."

Eric Kendall snorted. "You’d better have a plan," he said to Mason. "If you throw everything away for a woman, I’ll honestly lose all respect for you."

A small smile played on Mason Lawson’s lips. He took a calm sip of tea. "It’s been a long time since I’ve had a vacation this long," he said, completely at ease. "Frankly, it’s been quite nice."

Eric Kendall almost choked with exasperation.

He felt the situation was critical, like a house on fire, yet Mason was acting as if it were all a game.

Hamilton Hale clapped Eric on the shoulder. "Relax. Mason is far more thorough than you think. You’re in no position to be looking down on him."

"I hope so."

Eric Kendall said, exasperated, "I really don’t get it. I finally manage to get my head in the game and focus on my career, and now Mason’s getting taken down by a woman? Still, I have to admit, you’ve got guts. If it were me, I’d never take that many lashes for any woman!"

Mason’s lips curved into a smirk. "That’s because you haven’t met the right person yet. It won’t be too late to say that after you do."

Eric Kendall’s eyes glinted as he said thoughtfully, "By the way, your grandfather is an interesting one. He let your older brother take over company affairs, but he never officially removed you from your position. Do you think he’s waiting for you to apologize? Why don’t you just do it? You can’t let Ethan act so arrogantly forever, can you?"

Just then, Neil Kane hurried in, apparently with something to report to Mason.

However, he hesitated when he saw how many people were in the room.

Mason said to him, "They’re all friends here. Whatever it is, just say it."

Neil Kane finally spoke. "President Lawson, the government just issued a notice about building a chemical plant in the Koralis Bay area. Jason Vaughn’s project has been shut down, most of the investors have pulled out, and the loan sharks he borrowed from have already started calling in his debts."

Mason toyed with his teacup, listening quietly to his assistant’s report before breaking into a knowing smile.

As his three friends stared in astonishment and confusion, Mason said coolly, "Excellent. It’s time to close the net. If I’m not mistaken, Jason Vaughn’s next move will be to sell his company to pay off his debts. Make sure you move in for the acquisition at the right time. Drive the price down as low as possible. This time, I don’t want to give the Vaughn Family any chance of a comeback. Don’t give them a single penny more than you have to."

After all, if Charlotte hadn’t interfered, none of this would have happened. Since she did, he was going to finish the Vaughn Family for good.

Mason Lawson had never been a saint. Anyone who crossed him had to pay the price.

Having received his orders, Neil Kane immediately left to carry them out.

Eric Kendall narrowed his eyes. After a long moment of thought, he exclaimed, "So you’re starting with the Vaughn Family to strike back at your brother’s faction? I knew you wouldn’t just sit back and take it!"

Mason said nonchalantly, "There’s no rush to bring down my brother’s side. Even if I do nothing, they’ll self-destruct. I know exactly what Ethan and Julian are capable of—or rather, what they aren’t. However, the Vaughn Family’s company must be recovered. It’s what Eve’s father left for her."

Eric couldn’t help but grumble, "Damn! I’m stuffed from all this PDA."

He then set down two boxes of medicine. "By the way, I spent a long time searching for this for you overseas. It’s supposed to work wonders on healing wounds without leaving scars. I’m getting out of here before I choke to death on all this lovey-dovey stuff!"

Mason was long accustomed to Eric’s personality. He had a sharp tongue but a soft heart; he spoke without a filter, but his loyalty to his friends was absolutely genuine.

He nodded at him. "Thanks."

Eric waved him off. "Don’t thank me. I’m just counting on you to heal up quickly and go back to Lawson Group to retake control. The Kendall and Lawson families will have to cooperate a lot in the future, and I have no desire to deal with that brother and nephew of yours."

Jonah Spencer and Hamilton Hale also got to their feet, ready to leave.

Jonah said, "Your Eve should be home any minute. We know how to take a hint, so we won’t stick around and be the third wheels."

Just as they were speaking, Eve Vaughn happened to walk in.

Mason’s injuries were mostly healed now, so he no longer needed her to change his dressings every day. That was why she had gone back to her classes at the university.

But in the evenings, she still returned to The Sovereign Pearl to be with Mason.

Surprised to see so many people in the apartment, she glanced at Mason, assuming they had plans for later.

Mason said calmly, "They just came to check on me. They were about to leave."

The men shared a knowing look, offered Eve a quick greeting, and left.

Eve blinked in confusion. "They came all this way to see you," she asked. "You’re not even going to ask them to stay for dinner?"

Mason said, "Our relationship isn’t that formal. Besides..."

"Besides what?"

Eve looked at him, puzzled.

The man suddenly pulled her into his arms, his hand circling her slender waist. His stunningly handsome face drew closer. "Didn’t my Evie say," he murmured, "that once I was all healed, you’d give yourself to me completely? Hmm?"

His voice was dangerously seductive. As his warm lips brushed against her earlobe, a jolt like an electric current shot through every inch of Eve’s body.