And so, Mason Lawson took them to a Japanese restaurant with a pleasant ambiance and a high degree of privacy.

After they sat down, Mason Lawson and Eve Vaughn sat together, with Regina Shaw across from them.

It was then that Regina Shaw spoke, her tone laced with sarcasm. "Mr. Lawson, you really do have everything calculated. You must have thought of the idea I brought up at Crimson Spring Resort long ago, didn’t you? But you deliberately said nothing, forcing me to be the one to suggest it. The moment I did, did you think I was a complete idiot?"

"No. I think you’re very charming, Miss Shaw."

Mason Lawson delivered the compliment calmly.

The strange thing was, Eve Vaughn had always thought she would get incredibly jealous if Mason Lawson ever complimented another woman.

But when he complimented Regina Shaw, she didn’t feel a hint of jealousy or anger.

Because she always felt that their relationship was open and honest.

Regina Shaw snorted. "You don’t have to flatter me. With the way you two are playing this, I feel like a pawn you’re running in circles. It’s quite a blow to my pride."

Mason Lawson apologized to her again, then took out a journal and handed it to her. "I heard you’re researching bioinformatics, Miss Shaw. This should be very useful to you."

Regina Shaw pursed her lips. "And now we’re on to the sweet talk and gifts?"

Despite her words, she still took the journal. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Her face had been full of displeasure, but the moment she saw the journal, she looked at Mason Lawson in disbelief. "This is out of print! How did you get it? I searched for it for ages when I was abroad and couldn’t find a seller, even for a high price."

Mason Lawson’s lips curled into a slight smile. "With this, can we call it even and let bygones be bygones?"

Regina Shaw coughed awkwardly. ’Was I a little too undignified when I got the journal just now?’

’Like I’ve never seen anything nice before?’

’Ugh, I should have been more reserved, so Mason Lawson wouldn’t think I’m such a pushover.’

But now, she was clutching the journal, unwilling to let it go.

She didn’t care about saving face anymore.

"Hmm... alright then. I’ll be the bigger person and let this go! Besides, I have no interest in getting involved in other people’s relationships anyway."

After speaking, Regina Shaw took a sip of the shochu in front of her to hide her embarrassment.

Eve Vaughn hadn’t expected Regina Shaw to actually forgive them.

She had thought that with Regina’s temper, she must have hated her guts.

Her admiration for Mason Lawson grew, but so did her sense of insecurity, rising rapidly.

After all, a man like Mason Lawson understood all too well how to capture a girl’s heart.

An ordinary person would probably never think to apologize with a research journal.

Eve Vaughn thought to herself, ’Thank goodness I’m the one Mason Lawson likes.’

’If he fell for someone else, no matter what kind of woman she was, wouldn’t he be able to win her over in minutes with his intelligence and emotional savvy?’

Just then, Regina Shaw changed the subject. "But, you two have to tell me clearly what’s going on. What... is the relationship between you? I’m your cover, after all. As the cover, I have the right to know the truth, don’t I?"

Eve Vaughn spoke up timidly, "Then... how about I explain?"

Regina Shaw looked at her, waiting for her to continue.

Eve Vaughn gathered her thoughts and said, "It’s actually very simple. I like Mr. Lawson, and he likes me. But the Lawsons don’t think I’m good enough for him, so they won’t accept me. Mr. Lawson can’t go against his father, so he had no choice but to agree to the blind dates."

Regina Shaw clicked her tongue. "Tsk, tsk. And here I thought it was some epic, earth-shattering love story. Turns out it’s for such a mundane reason."

Mason Lawson said faintly, "Because you come from a background like the Shaw Family, you may not understand that sometimes, purely mundane reasons are enough to back a person into a corner."

Regina Shaw looked a bit dazed, as if mulling over Mason Lawson’s words.

...

By the end of the meal, the misunderstanding was mostly resolved.

Regina Shaw decided to help them out and act as their cover.

Besides, there was another benefit: Mason Lawson would also be her cover. As long as she cooperated with him, she wouldn’t have to deal with her parents nagging her about getting married.

"Miss Shaw, I’ll have my driver take you home."

Mason Lawson’s meaning was clear. He was having his driver take her home so that he could spend the rest of the night with Eve Vaughn.

Regina Shaw gave them a suggestive smile. "Well then, I wish you two a pleasant evening. Don’t worry, if your father asks, I’ll just say I spent the night out with you. He definitely won’t suspect a thing."

Eve Vaughn’s face turned bright red at her words. She blurted out, "I wasn’t planning on staying out with him! I’ll go back to the dorm with you."

She was too embarrassed to be so forward in front of her roommate.

But Mason Lawson pulled her into his arms, wrapping an arm around her waist. "I’m sure Miss Shaw understands."

Now, it wasn’t just Eve Vaughn; even Regina Shaw was starting to feel a little awkward.

She’d been third-wheeling them all night. If this kept up, she felt like she might want to find someone to date, too.

Just then, the driver pulled the car over and opened the door for Regina Shaw to get in.

"Miss Shaw, wait a moment."

Mason Lawson suddenly called out to her, having almost forgotten something very important.

His expression turned serious as he asked, "By the way, who told you about my relationship with Eve Vaughn?"

Logically, besides a few people in the Lawson family, only his best friend should have known.

Mason Lawson had to find out who was trying to cause trouble for Eve Vaughn. Only then could he deduce who was behind it and what their intentions were.