Eve Vaughn was torn. It felt like no matter what she chose, she would offend one side.

’This has nothing to do with me,’ she thought sullenly, ’so how did this mess get dumped in my lap to decide?’

Aria urged impatiently, "Evie, just say it! Tell me, does our room need to be cleaned every single day or not? Shouldn’t girls be a little more diligent, a little cleaner? Who likes a girl who’s a slob?"

That last part was directed at Regina Shaw.

Eve Vaughn took a deep breath and forced herself to say, "Well... I agree with Senior Shaw. While it’s true we should be clean, the floor doesn’t seem that dirty. We could clean it every two or three days, right?"

In truth, this was what Eve Vaughn really thought.

Aria’s face fell completely. She probably never expected that Eve Vaughn, who was always on her side, would suddenly betray her!

Eve Vaughn knew this was a pretty low blow, but she couldn’t help it. ’After all, I know I owe Regina Shaw a huge favor.’

Aria was furious. "Fine, fine, fine!" she said resentfully. "From now on, nobody has to clean. I’m not going to bother either. Let’s just let the room get filthy and die in it!"

With that, she took her phone and went out to the balcony.

She was probably calling her boyfriend to complain about it.

Regina Shaw’s gaze fell on Eve Vaughn, full of confusion.

She probably hadn’t expected Eve to speak up for her.

Eve Vaughn gave her an awkward smile, then silently picked up the broom and mop and cleaned the room anyway.

Just then, Regina Shaw’s phone rang. She didn’t bother to step out, answering it right there in the dorm room.

Eve Vaughn subconsciously perked up her ears to listen.

"Mom, I’ve decided to move forward with Mason Lawson, just like you and Dad wanted! Are you happy now?"

Mrs. Shaw said something from the other end, but Regina Shaw just kept curling her lip, looking dismissive.

Finally, she said perfunctorily, "Alright, I know. Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to maintain this relationship properly."

Eve Vaughn watched her carefully. ’From the looks of it, Regina Shaw really has no interest in Mason Lawson.’

’A purely ’comrades-in-arms’ relationship.’

She finally felt at ease.

’With Regina Shaw in the picture, Old Mr. Lawson won’t be setting Mason Lawson up with anyone else.’

At this thought, Eve Vaughn let out a happy little laugh.

Regina Shaw looked at her, baffled. "What are you laughing at?"

"N-Nothing."

Eve Vaughn quickly wiped the smile off her face and went back to sweeping.

But Regina Shaw suddenly snatched the broom from her hands, narrowing her eyes. "You’re acting strange! Eve Vaughn, have you done something you feel guilty about?"

Eve Vaughn froze, then quickly shook her head. "Why would you say that?"

Regina Shaw said coolly, "Didn’t you used to hate me, just like Aria? Why did you suddenly take my side today? And you kept sneaking glances at me while I was on the phone with my mom. What’s gotten into you?"

Eve Vaughn wished she could just tell her about her relationship with Mason Lawson right then and there.

But then she remembered what Mason Lawson had told her on the way, and decided it was best for Mason to break the news to her himself.

If she said it, Regina Shaw would probably think she was trying to provoke her or show her up.

So, Eve Vaughn put on a sorrowful expression and said, "I just envy you. You have a mom who cares about you, calling you every few days. My mom is in a vegetative state and might never wake up to say another word to me."

When she mentioned her mother, Eve Vaughn felt a genuine wave of sadness.

And she really did envy Regina Shaw.

As expected, her words struck a chord with Regina Shaw.

"I’m sorry..."

Regina Shaw said awkwardly, "I didn’t know that about your mother. You... don’t take what I said to heart."

With that, she didn’t return the broom to Eve Vaughn but started sweeping the floor herself.

Eve Vaughn asked, puzzled, "Didn’t you not want to do it? Why the change of heart?"

Regina Shaw snapped, "Since she made the cleaning roster and it happens to be my turn today, I’ll do it this one time! Next time, we’ll follow a new roster that I’ll make."

She planned to schedule cleaning every three days, so each person would only have to clean two or three times a month.

Because Eve Vaughn had sided with Regina Shaw, Nina Steele, not wanting to offend anyone, chose to abstain.

So, with the majority ruling, Aria had to reluctantly follow the new cleaning roster.

It was probably because Eve Vaughn had mentioned her mother tonight. Not only did the "young miss" Regina Shaw take the initiative to sweep and mop, but her tone of voice when speaking to Eve also became deliberately gentle, as if afraid of bringing up a painful subject again.

Eve Vaughn felt incredibly awkward about it. ’I just hope Mason Lawson can find some time to lay his cards on the table with Regina Shaw soon.’

’Otherwise, I’ll keep feeling this sense of guilt, like I’m deceiving Regina Shaw and taking advantage of her kindness.’

...

「The Lawson Residence.」

Old Mr. Lawson had already finished his call with the Shaw Family. Hearing that the two youngsters were getting along very well, the old man was delighted.

At breakfast that morning, the first branch of the family was listless, like defeated roosters, not saying a single word.

Meanwhile, Old Mr. Lawson’s attention was entirely on Mason Lawson.

"Excellent, very excellent this time!" Old Mr. Lawson said with a laugh. "I told you my son was outstanding. How could he fail to win over that girl from the Shaw Family? Just now, Shaw told me his daughter is very satisfied with you!"

This was all within Mason Lawson’s expectations.

He gave a calm and composed smile and said, "I’m also very satisfied with Miss Shaw."

Old Mr. Lawson said with a great sense of accomplishment, "See? You should have listened to me. Sending you two to Crimson Spring Resort for a getaway was the perfect way to build your relationship. Last time, you went to the wrong place. What can you learn about someone in a cold coffee shop?"

"Father, you’re right."

Mason Lawson was always like this. When he had his own ideas but saw no need to argue with the old man, he would always go along with him.

After all, a few flattering words wouldn’t cost him anything.

However, aside from the old man, no one else at the table was as pleased.

The first branch of the family, naturally, was not happy. Their in-laws, the Vaughn Family, were bankrupt, while Mason Lawson had found the prestigious Shaw Family of Calypsos.

’From now on, won’t he have an even smoother ride at Lawson Group, walking all over everyone?’

The Third Madam wasn’t happy either. After all, she had heard that Miss Shaw was very dissatisfied with Mason Lawson, and Mason didn’t seem to have any feelings for Miss Shaw either.

She had originally thought their relationship would go nowhere, and that the position of Mrs. Lawson would still go to Joanna Sullivan.

But who would have thought that a single trip to Crimson Spring Resort would lead to such rapid progress?

Old Mr. Lawson stroked his graying beard and said, "It looks like the Lawson Family will have another happy occasion to celebrate soon!"

Mason Lawson chimed in, "Father, Miss Shaw hasn’t even finished her doctorate yet. We should at least wait until she graduates. Otherwise, it’ll make our family look too desperate."

The old man didn’t overthink it and nodded in agreement. "Yes, you have a point! The Lawson Family is in no way inferior to the Shaw Family. For their daughter to marry into our family, to put it bluntly, is marrying up! If we were to rush the marriage, it would indeed make us seem like the lesser party!"

With just a few words, Mason Lawson had dispelled the old man’s thoughts of rushing the marriage.

Just then, Julian Lawson suddenly interjected, "Since Uncle is getting married, what about Eve Vaughn... It wouldn’t be right to keep a mistress on the side, would it?"

He just didn’t want Mason Lawson and Eve Vaughn to be together.

Even if he couldn’t have her, he didn’t want Mason Lawson to have her either!

That’s why he deliberately brought up the topic; after all, Old Mr. Lawson should also be against Mason Lawson and Eve Vaughn being together.

The moment the words left his mouth, Mason Lawson’s icy gaze swept over him. "Have your injuries healed?"

The warning and threat were unmistakable.

’If you provoke me again, I still have ways to beat you black and blue.’

But when Julian Lawson thought about how he hadn’t even been able to touch the hem of Eve Vaughn’s clothes after all these years, while this girl was being toyed with by Mason Lawson...

...his anger flared up uncontrollably.

So, he looked at Old Mr. Lawson and said, "Grandfather, the Shaw Family is also a prestigious and well-respected family. If they found out about this, wouldn’t they think our family lacks discipline? This would be bad for the Lawson Group’s reputation too!"

Old Mr. Lawson immediately rebuked him angrily, "You shameless thing, who do you think you are to speak here? Whatever is going on between your uncle and Eve Vaughn, at least he hasn’t been photographed or caused any scandal to disgrace the Lawson Family! But you—how long has it been since that wedding incident? Not only have you shown no remorse, but now you’ve learned to stir up trouble!"

Julian Lawson was thoroughly reamed out and didn’t dare say another word.

He really didn’t understand why everything he said or did was wrong in the old man’s eyes!

Mason Lawson could play around with women, but he couldn’t!

On what grounds?

But under the old man’s intimidating gaze, Julian Lawson could only shut his mouth and eat in sullen silence.

Sitting beside him, Charlotte Vaughn revealed a fleeting, cold smirk.

’Isn’t this great?’

’If Mason Lawson marries someone else, then Eve Vaughn can forget about ever entering the Lawson family’s doors openly.’

’Even though my own wedding was a disaster, I’m still legally married to Julian Lawson. I’m his lawful wife, Old Mr. Lawson’s only granddaughter-in-law.’

Thinking this, Charlotte Vaughn even felt a sense of relief and satisfaction.

’Anyway, as long as it’s not Eve Vaughn, I don’t care who Mason Lawson marries!’

...

「In a coffee shop.」

Regina Shaw stared at the woman before her, who had an excellent figure and a beautiful face, feeling somewhat bewildered.

"You’re the one who asked to meet me?"

Her tone toward Joanna Sullivan was not friendly.

Although Regina Shaw wasn’t one to compete with other women—in fact, she even paid more attention to and appreciated good-looking girls—

—for some reason, she couldn’t bring herself to like the woman in front of her, even though she was beautiful, had a fantastic figure, and was clearly top-tier among women.

She just couldn’t like her. In fact, she felt a little repulsed.

Joanna Sullivan smiled and said calmly, "Please sit, Miss Shaw. I’m the one who invited you. My name is Joanna Sullivan. I’m Mason’s first love."

Regina Shaw paused. ’So, she’s Mason Lawson’s first love.’

’Did she find out about my blind date with Mason Lawson and come here to fight for her man?’

She raised an eyebrow slightly and asked, "Is there something I can help you with?"

Regina Shaw was too calm.

Joanna Sullivan assumed that this Miss Shaw was just putting on a brave face. ’She must be boiling with jealousy on the inside.’

’It seems this Regina Shaw is quite a character, to be able to hide her emotions so well.’

"Miss Shaw, you don’t have to pretend to be so calm. If you’re angry, you can let it out."

Joanna Sullivan continued to provoke her.

If Regina Shaw were to throw a cup of coffee at her right now, it would show Mason that these spoiled and willful rich girls were not suitable for him.

Unfortunately, Regina Shaw didn’t follow the script Joanna had imagined.

In reality, she wasn’t someone who hid her emotions. Her family background and status meant she didn’t have to tolerate things quietly.

The reason she wasn’t angry was that she didn’t like Mason Lawson and had no intention of pursuing a relationship with him. Forget his first love—even if his little mistress came to see her, she couldn’t care less.

She just didn’t know that in Joanna Sullivan’s eyes, her composure was seen as a desperate attempt to look calm.

Regina Shaw took a sip of her coffee and asked with amusement, "Why should I be angry? Because Mr. Lawson has a first love? Everyone has a past. I have a first love too, you know."

Joanna Sullivan’s expression changed slightly. She continued her provocation, "Perhaps there’s something you don’t know, Miss Shaw. Mason and I were once engaged to be married. The invitations were even sent out. It was only for certain reasons that we didn’t go through with the wedding. But our feelings for each other run very deep."

Regina Shaw’s smile deepened, now tinged with sarcasm. "You’re... what was your name again? Never mind, it’s not important. Miss, are your feelings for Mr. Lawson deep, or are his feelings for you deep? If his feelings for you were so deep, why would he be going on blind dates with me? It seems his feelings aren’t that deep after all. It’s just your own wishful thinking."

Joanna Sullivan hadn’t expected the woman before her to be such a tough opponent. Her composure was unshakable. Not only did she not get angry, but she even managed to mock her.

At this moment, Regina Shaw wasn’t angry at all, but Joanna Sullivan was on the verge of losing her cool.

She gripped the handle of her coffee cup so tightly that the knuckles of her slender, pale fingers turned white. "Mason is just upset that I left without saying goodbye all those years ago."

Regina Shaw pouted and scratched her head. "I’m really not interested in hearing about your past. I have things to do, so I’ll be going. You can take care of the coffee, by the way. After all, you’re the one who invited me."

Originally, this woman had said she had a secret about Mason Lawson to tell her.

She had thought it might be some earth-shattering secret. ’What if Mason Lawson turned out to be a pervert? At least I’d be prepared.’

She never expected it would just be some random first love throwing a jealous fit.

Regina Shaw felt utterly bored and had no desire to continue the conversation.

She didn’t like watching sob stories, nor did she enjoy hearing about romantic entanglements.

’Wouldn’t it be better to spend this time running experiments in the lab?’

Just as Regina Shaw was about to get up and leave, Joanna Sullivan suddenly said, "Do you know Eve Vaughn?"

Those two words made Regina Shaw stop in her tracks. "What do you mean?"

Joanna Sullivan said with a beaming smile, "Ever since I left Mason, he’s found a replacement for me—and that’s Eve Vaughn! I hear she’s your roommate. So, did you know that your fiancé has been sleeping with her every single night?"