’The woman on the bed must be Eve Vaughn’s only living relative,’ Neil Kane thought.

She already had one foot in the grave. He reminded Mason, "Mr. Lawson, I’ve consulted the doctor. They said Aurelia Quinn is in poor health and has severe anemia. If we forcibly draw a large amount of blood, I’m afraid..."

He trailed off, watching Mason Lawson’s face for a reaction.

Mason Lawson’s voice was cold and heartless as he commanded, "Eve Vaughn will not find out about this. I won’t allow her to."

"Yes, I understand."

Neil Kane confirmed again, "So, for GeneCorp... they need large blood samples from Aurelia Quinn. Should we proceed as they requested? Draw as much as they need?"

After all, given Aurelia Quinn’s condition, Neil Kane was worried the procedure could cause complications.

If anything went wrong, Eve Vaughn—the apple of Mason Lawson’s eye—would be devastated. He had to be absolutely clear on the orders. He didn’t want things to go south, earning him the blame from both Eve and Mason.

But Mason Lawson’s decision was unwavering. He said just one word: "Draw." Neil Kane understood immediately.

In truth, he wasn’t surprised.

Mason Lawson had always been ruthlessly decisive, a man so rational it was frightening. His actions were always calculated to benefit himself.

Otherwise, it would be impossible to survive in a place like the Lawson Family.

Defending Eve Vaughn in front of Old Mr. Lawson had been the first irrational thing Neil Kane had ever seen him do.

But then again, it was understandable. After all, this concerned Mason Lawson’s biological mother.

In any case, Aurelia Quinn had been this way for years, barely clinging to life. She was destined to be sacrificed by Mason Lawson.

Just then, Neil Kane interjected, "Mr. Lawson, it’s almost five-thirty. Doctor Hale mentioned that several prominent professors are coming to consult on The Third Madam’s case. We should head back now, or we might arouse suspicion."

The Third Madam was also at Evergreen Hospital, coincidentally the same hospital where Eve Vaughn’s mother was staying.

So it only took Mason Lawson ten minutes to get from Aurelia Quinn’s room back to his adoptive mother’s.

Many of Rivaster’s most renowned cardiologists had gathered in The Third Madam’s room. Old Mr. Lawson was there as well.

Because of the whole affair with Eve Vaughn, Old Mr. Lawson was thoroughly displeased with Mason Lawson.

Seeing him return, the old man said irritably, "Your mother is sick in bed because of you, and where have you been? Just strolling back now? Don’t tell me you went to see that girl again."

Joanna Sullivan saw an opportunity and quickly came to Mason’s defense. "Uncle, Mason has actually been here watching over her all day. He just stepped out for some air a little while ago, for less than half an hour. He wouldn’t have had time for anything else."

What she said was true.

Mason had indeed been at the hospital all day. He had only gone to Aurelia Quinn’s room for a look after Neil Kane told him about a new lead regarding Eve Vaughn’s mother.

After Joanna Sullivan finished her explanation, her beautiful eyes, shimmering with a soft light, lingered on Mason Lawson.

’Now that things have come to this,’ she thought, ’I see that Eve Vaughn might actually have a place in Mason’s heart.’

’In that case, my only choice is to side with him for now and show him my sincerity.’

Persuaded by Joanna Sullivan, Old Mr. Lawson didn’t press Mason any further.

He turned to Hamilton Hale. "Have the experts give your aunt a thorough examination. Find out what’s really going on. Hamilton, our family and the Hale Family have been partners for years, and you and Mason are good friends. I’m trusting you."

"Thank you for your trust, sir. My father also instructed me to do everything in my power to treat the Third Madam."

Hamilton Hale was impeccably respectful in Old Mr. Lawson’s presence.

After all, this seemingly gentle and refined old man was the same person who had beaten Mason Lawson black and blue.

It was a clear sign of how ruthless he could be.

After reviewing The Third Madam’s test results, Hamilton Hale said, "Sir, we can’t make a definitive diagnosis yet based on her current condition. We’ll need to perform a cardiac angiogram to determine if there’s a risk of myocardial infarction."

Upon hearing this, The Third Madam immediately protested, "Is it surgery? I won’t do it! As long as Mason breaks things off with that Eve Vaughn girl, I’ll be perfectly fine!"

Old Mr. Lawson scolded her, "How old are you? Don’t be so childish! Let’s deal with one thing at a time. If Hamilton Hale says the procedure is necessary, then we listen to the doctor. As for that girl, as long as I’m here, she will never set foot in the Lawson Family home!"

Hamilton Hale stole a glance at the unnervingly calm Mason Lawson and couldn’t help but feel a knot of anxiety tighten in his stomach for him.

A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched the corners of Joanna Sullivan’s lips.

’That’s right,’ she thought. ’As long as Old Mr. Lawson is around, what do I have to worry about?’

And just like that, Old Mr. Lawson had made the decision for The Third Madam. Hamilton Hale would perform the cardiac angiogram the next day for further testing.

Seeing it was getting dark, the butler said, "Sir, there are people here to look after the madam. Your own health isn’t the best, so let me escort you home."

After all, Old Mr. Lawson had had several wives in his lifetime, to say nothing of his other dalliances.

He had come to the hospital out of a sense of duty, to visit The Third Madam and get an update on her condition.

But staying overnight to keep her company was out of the question.

Mason walked his father to the elevators.

As they waited, Old Mr. Lawson said, "Your mother’s heart problem is no small matter. She may not be your biological mother, but she’s the one who raised you. If you have a shred of conscience, you’ll stop making her angry and break things off with that girl immediately!"

Mason simply replied, "I will take good care of my mother."

Hearing his evasive answer, his father’s face darkened. "Mason, for your mother’s sake, I’ll give you a little more time to get rid of that girl. Don’t force my hand, do you understand?"

Mason understood his father’s threat. His brow furrowed slightly as he replied in a hard, cold tone, "Then I’m asking you not to force my hand, either. I never planned on having her marry into the Lawson family anyway. Because I don’t think there’s anything so great about being a Lawson!"

Old Mr. Lawson had assumed that after suppressing Mason and transferring his corporate power to the eldest branch of the family, his son would have learned some restraint.

But he never expected that after all this time, Mason would still be so obstinate.

The old man coughed, choked with anger. "Since you think so little of the Lawson family, then get out! Get out and never come back! I’m telling you, the Lawson family will do just fine without you!"

With that, he turned and stormed off, supported by the butler.

Neil Kane, who had been standing by Mason’s side, watched the tense standoff. He ventured cautiously, "Mr. Lawson, if you really were to leave the Lawson family, we would have even fewer leads on your biological mother. We still don’t know how involved your father is in all this."

Mason understood Neil Kane’s point perfectly. You have to enter the tiger’s den to get the cub.

Besides, he had no intention of simply handing over the empire he had spent years building.

He had saved Eve Vaughn because she was his woman.

But a woman and a career weren’t mutually exclusive.

If Neil Kane understood that, how could he not?

He simply hated being threatened and coerced.

Mason’s cold gaze landed on Neil Kane. He warned, word by word, "You’ve been talking too much lately."

"Yes. My apologies, sir."

Neil Kane instantly understood. Mason had no intention of giving up his place in the Lawson family for Eve Vaughn.

Back in The Third Madam’s hospital room, Mason was as calm as if nothing had ever happened.

The Third Madam said with a hint of satisfaction, "It was almost worth getting sick! Your father was so angry he wouldn’t even see you, but now, at least you two can meet here. He is your biological father, after all. He won’t be too hard on you."

Mason looked at The Third Madam in her hospital bed and felt a pang of unexpected sorrow.

He knew she was selfish, but she was also the one who had helped him—an illegitimate son once barred from the family registry—find his footing in the treacherous world of the Lawson family.

Moreover, after recently discovering a clue about his biological mother, he had immediately ordered an investigation into whether The Third Madam had any contact or conflict with his mother back then.

After all, the person who stood to gain the most from his biological mother’s death was The Third Madam.

But the investigation had revealed that The Third Madam didn’t marry Old Mr. Lawson until Mason was five years old. Furthermore, her first pregnancy had been ectopic, and a subsequent hysterectomy due to severe hemorrhaging had left her unable to conceive.

His own biological mother, on the other hand, had been declared dead from complications in childbirth by Old Mr. Lawson right after he was born.

He had also carefully investigated The Third Madam’s background before her marriage to Old Mr. Lawson and found no connection to his biological mother whatsoever.

The Third Madam had neither the means nor the motive to harm his biological mother.

’But as for Old Mr. Lawson... why would he hide the truth about my biological mother? Why would he claim a living person had died in childbirth?’

"Mason?" The Third Madam said, displeased. "What are you daydreaming about now? You’ve only been apart from that girl for a day, and you’re already this distracted?"

Mason snapped out of it, looking slightly awkward. "Nothing. I was just thinking about your procedure tomorrow."

The Third Madam seemed mollified. "I was starting to think that girl had you completely under her spell," she said faintly, "and that your parents meant nothing to you anymore!"

Joanna Sullivan chimed in soothingly, "Aunt, how can you say that? You’re the mother who raised Mason, after all. He would never abandon you."

The Third Madam’s face was clouded with worry. "I heard that for this procedure tomorrow, they stick a tube in your leg and thread it all the way to your heart. It’s terrifying just to think about. What if... what if I die on the operating table?"

Mason said, "Don’t let your imagination run wild. Hamilton Hale told you, he performs several of these a day. It’s a very routine procedure. Besides, I’ll be staying here tonight to look after you, so you can rest easy."

The Third Madam seized the opportunity. "Joanna, why don’t you stay too? Keep me and Mason company. The thought of surgery tomorrow is just so frightening."

"Of course, Aunt."

Joanna Sullivan couldn’t have been happier for the chance to be alone with Mason.

She knew The Third Madam was creating an opportunity for them.

...

「Meanwhile」

Eve Vaughn stared at the clock on the wall. It was already past nine.

But her phone remained silent.

The young woman’s heart ached.

She couldn’t bring herself to do anything but wait for his call.

Finally, her phone rang.

Eve Vaughn’s eyes lit up as she snatched the phone.

Mason’s deep voice came through the line. "Evie, I’m not coming home tonight. My mom has a procedure tomorrow, and I have to stay and look after her."

A knot formed in Eve Vaughn’s stomach. She asked tentatively, "Is it very serious?"

"We’re not sure yet. Tomorrow’s procedure is for further testing." Mason’s voice was tinged with exhaustion. "You should get some rest. Be good."

Eve Vaughn’s voice was full of disappointment as she apologized. "I’m sorry..."

He instantly picked up on her sadness and asked in a teasing tone, "Silly girl, what have you done that you need to apologize for?"

"You and your mother argued because of me."

Eve Vaughn truly blamed herself. Mason’s voice had sounded so tired.

It made her heart ache for him.

The man on the other end of the line comforted her in a gentle voice, "It has nothing to do with you. Her illness wasn’t caused by anger. Don’t overthink things. Get some rest, okay?"

Eve had so much she wanted to say, but she knew it wasn’t convenient for him to talk while he was at the hospital.

"Can you... can you try not to take so long to get back to me in the future? I get so worried... and scared."

Her voice was filled with hurt.

Mason was silent for a moment. "I’m sorry. Today was just too busy. I didn’t even look at my phone."

After hanging up with Mason, Eve finally felt a little more at ease.

At least he didn’t blame her or seem to have any regrets.

A little while later, just as she was about to take a shower, there was a knock on the door. It was Mrs. Linton. "Miss Vaughn, are you resting?"

Eve opened the door. "It’s so late. Is something wrong?"

Mrs. Linton seemed a little nervous. "Just now, a young lady named Sullivan came by. She said she was here to pick up some clothes for Mr. Lawson. She said you knew her, so I let her wait in the living room downstairs."

Mrs. Linton had a gut feeling that this Miss Sullivan’s relationship with Mr. Lawson was not a simple one.

Eve Vaughn’s expression visibly darkened.

She hurried downstairs. Sure enough, Joanna Sullivan was standing in the middle of the living room. A black, waist-cinching cashmere coat perfectly accentuated her graceful figure.

She was peeling an orange, sauntering around in her high heels.

She looked less like a guest and more like the lady of the house.

Eve Vaughn frowned. "Miss Sullivan, is this how you behave when you’re a guest in someone’s home?"

Joanna Sullivan turned, her eyes full of scorn. "Someone’s home? Whose home? Yours? I see Mason has really spoiled you, Miss Vaughn. Starting to think you’re going to be the lady of this house?"

Eve wasn’t about to back down. "Even if I’m not the lady of the house, I’m still Mr. Lawson’s girlfriend. So I have to ask, Miss Sullivan, in what capacity are you here challenging me?"