Chapter 149: Chapter 149: He Also Thinks She’s Unworthy of the Lawson Family

The prolonged silence exhausted Old Mr. Lawson’s patience.

He struck the ground hard a few times with his cane. "That girl... she’s got some shady history with Julian, and now she’s latched onto you. What good could she possibly be? Letting you keep her around is already a massive concession on my part! If you even think about marrying her, I’d sooner have the second branch of the family come back to inherit everything. I will not allow you or her to set foot in the Lawson Family home ever again!"

Mason Lawson furrowed his brow.

He had to return to the Lawson Family and the Lawson Group now. He needed his grandfather to lower his guard so he could find clues and investigate the truth of what happened back then as soon as possible.

Since his grandfather was offering an out, he didn’t play hard to get. "I understand," he said.

Old Mr. Lawson finally calmed down a little. He nodded and said, "That’s more like it! I know you stood up to protect her the other day. Men will be men—young, full of vigor, with a soft spot for a pretty face. I was the same way back in the day. But when it comes to marriage, you have to marry someone of equal social standing. As for that girl, if you like her, just keep her on the side. Hide her well, and don’t let the media catch wind of it. From now on, I’ll just turn a blind eye."

Now, every word his grandfather said filled Mason Lawson with disgust.

The more he thought about it, the more certain he became that his grandfather must have caused his birth mother immense pain back then.

And it was very likely that this pain was still ongoing.

This thought made Mason Lawson extremely agitated. He couldn’t be bothered to argue, so he said with forced patience, "It’s getting late. You should go home and get some rest. I’ll be at the office on time tomorrow."

Old Mr. Lawson nodded in satisfaction. "How’s the wound on your back? Is it mostly healed? There’s no such thing as an overnight feud between a father and son. I was just furious that day. After all, how can a man of the Lawson Family be dragged down by some little girl?"

Of course Mason Lawson knew his grandfather’s methods.

He always paired threats with rewards.

It was, after all, a tactic common to every person in power.

He responded coolly, "It’s almost healed."

"Good. When you go to the company tomorrow, don’t make things too hard on your older brother. At the end of the day, you’re family!"

With that final instruction, Old Mr. Lawson left.

Meanwhile, Eve Vaughn was leaning against a cold wall, her eyes red.

She could understand Mason Lawson’s choice, and she didn’t want him to break with his family over her.

But it still hurt so much!

’So in his heart, I’m really not worthy of marrying into the Lawson Family. Even though he can protect me, and even though he might genuinely like me...’

’...he could never marry me in the future.’

The realization plunged her into an icy abyss. All she could do was cling to the memory of his kindness, telling herself to just take things one step at a time.

It was the only way she could feel a little better, the only way she could breathe.

Eventually, she went back to the study.

Even though she was heartbroken, she forced herself to study, pulling out a workbook and grinding through practice problems.

For one thing, studying was a good distraction. For another, if Mason Lawson got married someday, she certainly wouldn’t be able to stay with him like this. After she left him, she’d need a valuable skill to stand on her own two feet.

She had to admit that ever since meeting Mason Lawson, her life had been turned upside down.

He had taken care of all her worries, transforming her from a helpless, lonely orphan into a girl who was cherished and loved.

She savored every moment of his care, but the conversation between Mason Lawson and Old Mr. Lawson had been a rude awakening.

’No matter how much Mason Lawson likes me, even if he endured his family’s punishment for my sake, his future has nothing to do with me.’

Eve Vaughn blinked hard, finally forcing her tears back.

’Don’t cry,’ she told herself.

’No matter where the future takes me, I’ll always remember that a man who cherished me deeply once entered my life.’

’His name was Mason Lawson.’

Just like that, Eve Vaughn forced herself to complete two hundred practice problems. Her mood finally settled a little, and only then did she return to her room.

There was no one in the bedroom. She glanced around before spotting Mason Lawson leaning against the balcony railing, smoking.

His silhouette looked a little lonely as rings of white smoke drifted around him.

Eve Vaughn composed herself, not wanting him to see what was on her mind.

After all, she had already caused him to suffer those terrible lashings; she didn’t want to create any more trouble for him with her own selfishness.

Old Mr. Lawson had finally relented and let him return to the Lawson Group. She should be happy for him.

As for the two of them...

Eve Vaughn thought that until Mason Lawson found a well-born lady from a matching background, she was willing to stay by his side to repay him for his kindness.

More importantly, he already filled her entire heart. She couldn’t end things right now. She couldn’t bear to.

But when that day finally came, she would leave without a trace and cause Mason Lawson no trouble whatsoever.

After steeling herself with this resolve, Eve Vaughn actually felt less sad than before.

’To have once had a man like Mason Lawson, a man at the very top of the pyramid, is already more than I could have asked for.’

With that, a small smile touched Eve Vaughn’s lips, and she slowly walked toward the balcony.

Hearing her footsteps, Mason Lawson stubbed out his cigarette.

He turned to face her, his voice a little tired and hoarse, and pulled her into his arms. "Were you studying hard tonight?"

"Mhm, I always do as Mr. Lawson says." Eve Vaughn leaned gently into his embrace, wrapping her arms around him as well and savoring the warmth he provided.

Even the faint scent of tobacco on him felt unusually reassuring.

In that moment, she suddenly realized that when you truly love someone, you love everything about them.

She’d never actually liked the smell of smoke before.

Mason Lawson looked down at the tranquil face of the young woman in his arms and gave a resigned smile. "What’s gotten into you today? Are you trying to be cute?"

"No, I just want to hold you."

In the dead of night, Eve Vaughn’s soft, clear voice seemed to brush against the very tip of his heart.

Just then, the look in Mason Lawson’s deep eyes darkened. "Evie," he said, "there’s something I need to tell you."

Eve Vaughn’s heart sank. She knew what he was going to say, but she feigned ignorance and said coolly, "Okay, go ahead."

Mason stroked her hair. "My grandfather came to the house tonight. He wants me to return to the Lawson Group. I... I agreed."

Even though Eve Vaughn was mentally prepared, a wave of bitterness washed over her when he actually said the words.

And he was merely informing her, not discussing it with her.

She looked up from his embrace and forced a smile. "That’s great. Your grandfather has finally forgiven you. If you lost everything because of me, I’d blame myself forever."

Her obedience and understanding made Mason Lawson’s heart ache for her.

But he could still see the strain and anxiety she was trying to hide.

Unfortunately, Mason Lawson couldn’t give her any promises right now. He was shouldering too many burdens.

"Evie, just stay by my side, understand?" His voice was low and raspy, yet it seemed to hold a power that could soothe the soul.

Eve Vaughn desperately wanted to ask how she could possibly stay by his side if he married someone else in the future.

But in the end, she couldn’t bring herself to ask.

It was an impossible question, and even if she asked, she wouldn’t get the answer she wanted.

Eve Vaughn looked into his deep eyes and said, "I’ll do whatever Mr. Lawson says."

Mason Lawson was very pleased by her answer. He loved her quirky spirit, but he also loved how understanding she was.

He couldn’t help but reach out to caress her cheek, then lowered his head and kissed her full, cherry-red lips. They were as soft as cotton candy, and the sensation made him gentle, as if he was afraid of hurting her with the slightest pressure.

Eve Vaughn felt his kiss, light as a feather at first, then slowly deepening, kissing her until her mind was a tangled mess.

But with so much on her mind, she couldn’t stop thinking about how one day, he would be kissing another woman just like this.

As his hand slipped under the hem of her shirt and started to move down, Eve Vaughn suddenly stiffened, a hint of resistance in her posture.

Mason Lawson was sensitive to the change in her demeanor. His hand stopped, and he asked in a low voice, "What’s wrong?"

Eve Vaughn had to make up an excuse. "The last couple of days, you... you were too rough..."

She bit her lower lip, too embarrassed to finish her sentence.