He stood her under the shower, and cold water came splashing down on Eve Vaughn’s head.

The girl jumped in surprise, pouting as she shook her head. "It’s raining! Julian, it’s so cold. Hold me!"

She kept calling out Julian Lawson’s name, her arms outstretched, looking as pitiful as a small child demanding to be held.

Mason Lawson pulled her back with restraint, maintaining some distance. His voice was deep. "Eve Vaughn, you brought this on yourself!"

The girl was already soaked to the bone, her thin t-shirt clinging tightly to her body and outlining her delicate, shapely figure.

When her soft, youthful body once again lunged into Mason Lawson’s arms, the thread in his mind called ’reason’ finally snapped!

Mason Lawson yanked her into his arms. His large hand came to rest on her slender back as he lowered his head and crushed his lips against hers, silencing her incessant chatter.

For some reason, hearing her constantly cry out Julian Lawson’s name made him feel inexplicably displeased.

After all, he was the one sponsoring her now, yet all she could think about was another man. It gave Mason Lawson the distinct feeling that a flower he had carefully cultivated was about to be snatched away by another.

If that’s the case, I might as well make her understand just whose woman she is now.

At that thought, the man’s movements grew more aggressive, and one of his hands had already slipped beneath the hem of her shirt.

Just then, Mrs. Linton’s voice came from the bathroom door. "Mr. Lawson, you have a phone call."

Mason Lawson finally stopped, his voice unbelievably hoarse. "Who’s calling?"

Mrs. Linton answered truthfully, "A young lady, sir. She said her name is Joanna Sullivan."

The name ’Joanna Sullivan’ was like a spark exploding in Mason Lawson’s mind.

In an instant, the lust in his eyes vanished, replaced by a cold, sharp iciness. He released the dead-drunk girl from his arms and went to open the door.

He instructed Mrs. Linton, "Get Eve Vaughn cleaned up, change her into some clean clothes, and let her rest."

With that, he took the phone from Mrs. Linton and left in a hurry.

And so, Eve Vaughn spent another night at Mason Lawson’s villa. She never would have imagined that if it hadn’t been for that timely phone call, she likely would have been devoured completely.

...

The next day, Eve Vaughn woke up in Mason Lawson’s villa.

She rubbed her aching forehead, her sleepy eyes scanning the room. She immediately recognized it as the same guest room she had stayed in at Mason Lawson’s house before.

A few seconds later, fragments of memory from before she blacked out last night started coming back to her.

She vaguely remembered refusing to go home with Mason Lawson, only to be shoved into his car.

And after that... what happened? She really can’t remember.

Just then, Eve Vaughn looked down and saw she was wearing a clean set of pajamas. She realized all her clothes had been changed.

Her heart leaped into her throat, and her face burned with humiliation.

Did... Did Mason Lawson change her clothes?

At the thought, Eve Vaughn wished the ground would open up and swallow her whole. She took a deep breath and decided to get out of bed to see what was going on.

At the very least, she needs to get her clothes from yesterday back so she can get out of here!

...

Meanwhile, in the living room, Joanna Sullivan was dressed in a long, floral-print dress, her chestnut curls gathered into a low, elegant chignon. She was stunning.

But at that moment, Mason Lawson was in no mood to admire her.

He remembered how three years ago, on the eve of their engagement, she had left without a single word of warning. She didn’t return his texts or answer his calls, all to pursue her dream of dancing.

He’d known since then that, in Joanna Sullivan’s heart, he wasn’t nearly as important as her ambitions.

Facing this successful and famous woman, Mason Lawson’s gaze was frigid, his entire being radiating an indifference that kept everyone at arm’s length.

Joanna Sullivan gazed at him softly, her voice tinged with a pleading, almost coquettish tone. "Mason, as soon as my dance troupe’s plane landed in Rivaster this morning, I came straight to find you. It’s been three years. I think... It’s time to let go of some misunderstandings. Was our relationship really so fragile?"

Mason Lawson’s eyes narrowed, a sarcastic smile touching his pale lips. "You already answered that question for me three years ago. Or did you think our love was somehow unbreakable?"

Joanna Sullivan’s expression faltered. Biting her lip, she said, "I know you still haven’t forgiven me for leaving without a word right before our wedding. But dancing... It’s my dream. It’s my life."

Mason Lawson nodded, his voice cool and detached. "I respect your dream."

His words gave Joanna Sullivan a glimmer of hope. She said coyly, "Actually, my parents have moved abroad now, so I don’t really have a home here in Rivaster anymore. So... could I maybe stay here with you for a little while?"

"That’s not convenient."

Those three short, direct words left Joanna Sullivan utterly mortified.

She had always been the one Mason Lawson doted on. She had been convinced that even after she’d broken their engagement, even after she’d left to pursue her own career, all she had to do was come back and apologize, and he would forgive her.

But she never expected that now, after she had taken the initiative and swallowed her pride, he wouldn’t even give her an out to save face.

Just then, footsteps sounded on the stairs.

Eve Vaughn had only come downstairs to find Mrs. Linton and ask where her clothes were. She hadn’t expected to see Mason Lawson sitting in the living room with a woman.

She stopped instinctively, hesitating where she stood. What’s going on?

But Joanna Sullivan’s shock was even greater than Eve Vaughn’s. Her scrutinizing gaze swept over Eve Vaughn from head to toe.

She remembered asking friends in her circle before she came back... and everyone said Mason was still single.

But now this girl... wearing pajamas... is in Mason’s house first thing in the morning. Any adult seeing a scene like this would know exactly what it implies.

Joanna Sullivan forced a bitter smile. "Mason, is this why you said it wasn’t convenient? You’re right, my staying here would be an intrusion on you two. It really is... inconvenient."

It suddenly dawned on Eve Vaughn. This woman really does look a bit like her. And judging by the way she talks to Mason... she must be his first love, right?

Afraid of getting in the middle of their relationship, Eve Vaughn quickly tried to explain. "No, you’ve misunderstood! I’m actually..."

"Evie!" Mason Lawson calmly cut her off. He beckoned to her, his tone indulgent and gentle. "Come over here."

Eve Vaughn swallowed nervously. Utterly confused by the situation, she dazedly walked over to Mason Lawson.

Under Joanna Sullivan’s astonished gaze, Mason Lawson pulled Eve by the hand, sat her down on his lap, and wrapped an arm around her slender waist.

Eve Vaughn was horrified. She struggled awkwardly, but his grip only tightened. She happened to turn her head and met Mason Lawson’s warning gaze. Eve Vaughn instantly wilted, remaining on his lap, her heart pounding as if she were sitting on pins and needles.

Joanna Sullivan’s eyes were red-rimmed. A self-deprecating smile touched her lips. "It’s only been three years, Mason. You’ve changed so much, I don’t even recognize you anymore."

"Miss Sullivan, I don’t think we were ever that close to begin with." Mason Lawson’s expression was completely blank. "I never really knew you three years ago. As for staying here, it truly isn’t convenient. My girlfriend might get the wrong idea."

Girlfriend? Eve Vaughn’s eyes went wide. She didn’t dare look up and meet the gaze of Mason Lawson’s ex-girlfriend. Has Mason Lawson lost his mind? How can he just toss out a word like ’girlfriend’ so casually?

But right now, Mason Lawson’s actions had clearly provoked Joanna Sullivan. She was a successful, world-class dancer now, and she had just offered him a sincere apology. There was no need for her to sacrifice her pride to fight over a man with some little girl who was still wet behind the ears.

And with that, Joanna Sullivan masked the disappointment in her eyes with a polite smile. "In that case, I wish you both the best. I only came back to the country to attend Julian’s wedding, and I just wanted to stop by and see you. Goodbye."

She gave Mason Lawson one last, deep look, then turned and left as decisively as she had three years ago, when she’d chosen to break their engagement to catch a flight for her dance troupe.

It wasn’t until she heard the door close that Eve Vaughn finally breathed a sigh of relief. But she was still in Mason Lawson’s arms. Through the thin layers of their clothes, she could feel the warmth of his chest and the rise and fall of his breathing.

Mason’s hand was still on her waist, and his warm breath tickled her smooth, slender neck.

Eve Vaughn was so tense she barely dared to breathe, let alone move.

Just then, the man’s low, husky voice broke the silence. "How much longer do you plan on sitting in my lap?"

Eve Vaughn’s heart skipped a beat. She scrambled off his lap and put some distance between them.

He’s the one who pulled her here! She couldn’t even break free! And now he’s acting like she’s the one who threw herself at him?

The girl couldn’t stomach the injustice. Her face flushed as she protested, "But you were the one who—"

For some reason, she was too embarrassed to say it out loud—that he had been the one taking advantage of her again.

Mason Lawson stared at her intently. "The one who what?"

Eve Vaughn shot him a glare and said resentfully, "I was the one who helped you out, Uncle, by scaring off your first love!"

Mason Lawson’s eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint in them. "Who told you who she was?"

Eve Vaughn froze for a second. Realizing he was asking about Joanna Sullivan, she explained, "Julian Lawson told me once that I look a little like your first love. And when I saw her just now, I could see the resemblance. That’s how I guessed who she was."

I can’t believe Julian would just blab about anything and everything, Mason thought. Not wanting some young girl to read his mind, he changed the subject. "Do you remember what happened last night? Do you remember what you said?"

"I remember Charlotte Vaughn was causing trouble, and you told her off. Then... I think you put me in the car. After that..." Eve Vaughn bit her lip. "I don’t remember anything after that. Did you... These pajamas..."

She trailed off, her words a jumble as she stared at him with a look of dawning horror.

Did... did Mason Lawson do... that to her?

At the thought, Eve Vaughn suddenly felt tears welling up. To think that her nineteen years of innocence had been taken by a man old enough to be her uncle.

Seeing the girl on the verge of tears, Mason Lawson said with a dark expression, "I had Mrs. Linton change your clothes."

Eve Vaughn visibly sagged with relief.

But in the next second, Mason added, "You spent the entire night screaming Julian Lawson’s name like your life depended on it."

"I... I was?" Eve Vaughn was cringing so hard she wanted to slap herself across the face.

If Julian hadn’t come to campus yesterday and said all those things to provoke her, she never would’ve gone to that bar, and she definitely wouldn’t have run into Mason.

And now, who knows what kind of embarrassing spectacle she made of herself in front of him while she was drunk?

It’s just too humiliating!

Eve Vaughn stammered, "Um... thank you, Uncle, for helping me out yesterday. I... I won’t bother you anymore. I’ll go find Mrs. Linton and get my clothes!"

With that, she turned to flee.

The best way to deal with this, she thought, is to escape the scene of my social suicide as fast as possible.

"Stop!" Mason Lawson called out.

Eve Vaughn looked at him blankly. "Is... is there something else?"

Mason Lawson pointed to the sofa next to him. "Come sit down."

Eve Vaughn had no choice but to bite the bullet and sit.

Maybe it’s because his presence is so overwhelming, but sitting next to him feels like being crushed by a mountain of pressure.

Mason Lawson even poured her a cup of herbal tea from the pot on the table and handed it to her.

Eve Vaughn’s mind was wandering. She took the cup, hoping to use the act of drinking to hide her nervousness.

Then she heard Mason Lawson say, his voice calm and matter-of-fact, "Until Joanna Sullivan leaves Rivaster, and until Julian’s wedding is over, you will live here. I expect you to play the part of the future Mrs. Lawson well."

"PFFT—!"

Eve Vaughn sprayed out the mouthful of tea she had just taken, a fine mist of it splattering across the face of the man sitting primly before her.

Clutching her chest and coughing, Eve Vaughn grabbed a few tissues for Mason. "I’m so sorry, Uncle, I didn’t mean to. But could you please stop making jokes like that? You’ll give someone a heart attack."

Mason Lawson calmly wiped the droplets from his face, managing to look elegant even in such a sorry state. He glanced at her. "I’m not joking."

"Isn’t that... inappropriate?" Eve Vaughn cleared her throat, politely refusing. "Why don’t you find someone else to act for you? I have a friend at the Film Academy. I’m sure she and her classmates would be much more experienced at this sort of thing. I can ask if any of them are willing to take on this... business proposition!"

Mason Lawson was clearly out of patience. His dark, brooding eyes locked onto her panicked face. "It’s just acting. What are you afraid of? Are you afraid Julian will get the wrong idea?"

The mere mention of his name made Eve Vaughn grind her teeth. "What does this have to do with Julian Lawson? I couldn’t care less if he misunderstands! In fact, I’d love for him to misunderstand! Make him call me ’Little Auntie’ with respect!"

The moment the words were out, she was shocked at herself.

Oh my god, what kind of audacious things was she saying in front of Mason Lawson?

Mason Lawson’s chiseled face drew closer, his tone a mix of coercion and temptation. "You have a point. So... want to give it a try?"