Mrs. Steele naively thought Regina Shaw would pay her a million. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

That way, her son could get out of the detention center. With the leftover money, she could build a house for him back home. They wouldn’t even have to worry about his betrothal gifts.

But Nina Steele quickly tried to stop her. "Mom, what are you talking about? Let’s just go. Your injury doesn’t warrant any compensation from anyone. Besides, a million? How is that even possible?"

Without a moment’s hesitation, Mrs. Steele slapped her daughter across the face again and cursed, "You worthless baggage, shut your mouth!"

Regina Shaw had been doted on by her parents and older brother her whole life. Mrs. Steele’s behavior was completely shattering her understanding of the world.

She said coldly, "Fifty thousand. Take it or leave it. If you don’t want it, we can go ahead with the official injury assessment. But don’t forget, you attacked me too. You might regret it when the results come back."

Mrs. Steele hesitated. Even the police officer at her side was advising her to quit while she was ahead.

Ultimately, she figured fifty thousand was just enough to solve their family’s urgent financial problem, and her son wouldn’t have to stay in the detention center.

And so, she agreed to Regina Shaw’s offer.

After transferring the fifty thousand to Nina Steele, Regina Shaw didn’t want to spend another minute in this wretched place.

Nina Steele was mortified, but at her mother’s insistence, she accepted the money transfer.

...

Outside the police station.

Eve Vaughn finally couldn’t hold back her questions. "Senior Shaw, why did you give her so much money? It clearly wasn’t your fault. Even if they did an injury assessment, you probably wouldn’t have had to pay that much. Besides, I was the one who hit her; it had nothing to do with you. If anyone should have paid, it’s me."

Regina Shaw stopped and looked at her, her gaze softening in a way Eve had never seen before.

Her voice was tired and hoarse. "You stood up for me. How could I let you get dragged into this? Besides, didn’t you hear that woman asking Nina Steele for fifty thousand yesterday? It sounds like her son got into some trouble and needs money to smooth things over."

Realization dawned on Eve Vaughn. "No wonder you offered fifty thousand right away. So, this whole time, you were trying to help Nina?"

After all, Nina was a girl with a lot of pride. No matter how broke she was, even if she couldn’t afford to eat, she would never ask them for money.

By giving her the money under the guise of ’compensation’, Regina Shaw had managed to avoid wounding her pride.

"Senior Shaw..."

Eve Vaughn called her name, deeply moved. "Before... how did I never realize you were such a good person? I was so blind!"

Regina Shaw laughed too. "And I never realized how tough you were," she said to Eve Vaughn. "To be able to take down a harpy like that."

But Eve’s heart ached for her. "Still, you got the short end of the stick this time. By paying her, it’s like you admitted you were in the wrong."

"Does it really matter who was right and who was wrong? As long as you have a clear conscience, isn’t that enough?" Regina Shaw said dismissively. "Besides, isn’t it demeaning to get into a drawn-out fight with a harpy like that? I don’t have the time, and frankly, it’s beneath me."

Eve Vaughn mulled over Regina Shaw’s words, a newfound admiration growing within her. She was so insightful, and yet still so kind.

...

When they got back to their dorm room, Nina Steele wasn’t there.

She didn’t return until early the next morning, her eyes shadowed with dark circles and her cheeks slightly red and swollen.

Regina Shaw and Eve Vaughn exchanged a look. They had an unspoken understanding that Mrs. Steele had probably hit Nina again last night for not getting the amount of money she wanted.

But, to spare Nina’s feelings, they didn’t bring up what had happened, acting as if everything was normal.

However, Nina walked over to Regina, her voice subdued. "Senior Shaw, that fifty thousand from last night... I’ll pay you back, bit by bit. Thank you. And for what my mother did to you yesterday... I’m so sorry. I apologize on her behalf."

Regina hadn’t expected Nina to see through her intentions, but she was never one for sentimental displays.

So she simply said, "You’re not responsible for what your mother does. Just... don’t bring her to our dorm room again."

Nina nodded earnestly. "I promise, it won’t happen again."

’If only I could,’ she thought, ’I’d cut ties with my family completely.’

After this incident, she realized how wonderful her roommates were. They didn’t pry into her family affairs and even went out of their way to protect her pride.

’I used to be so withdrawn,’ she reflected. ’I barely spoke to them. But yesterday, when my own mother was practically driving me to my grave, they were the ones who reached out to me.’

...

After the incident, Eve Vaughn fully expected Regina Shaw to move out of the dorm immediately. After all, Regina had always hated living there—truly hated it.

But for some reason, Regina never brought up getting an apartment off-campus again.

In fact, the atmosphere in their dorm room seemed to grow more and more harmonious.

Nina still worked her part-time jobs every day, but she started bringing back barbecue and other snacks for them at night.

Treats they couldn’t get in the school cafeteria.

Regina wasn’t as harsh with Eve anymore, either. She even started inviting Eve to go shopping or get their hair done together.

「A week later.」

Mason Lawson returned from his business trip. He called Eve Vaughn the moment he got off the plane.

At that moment, Eve was just about to head out with Regina to a newly opened dessert shop.

The chain used to only have locations in Calypsos, so it was a surprise that they’d opened a branch in Rivaster.

Regina was a regular customer back in Calypsos, and she was eager to go as soon as she heard about the new branch.

But then Eve got the call from Mason Lawson. He told her his car was parked at the school gate and that she should come out immediately.

"Senior Shaw..."

Eve flashed her phone at Regina.

Regina understood instantly, even without a word.

She rolled her eyes. "I knew it. I shouldn’t be friends with a taken woman! Look at you, the second your man is back, you go running off to him!"

Eve’s face flushed. "What ’taken woman’?" she said, embarrassed. "Isn’t this what dating is like? I haven’t seen him in a week."

"Alright, alright, go on. Don’t stand here shoving your relationship in my face!"

Regina playfully pushed her out of the room.

Thinking about not having seen Mason for a week, Eve’s heart leaped with joy.

She walked out of the school gates and, sure enough, saw Mason Lawson’s black town car parked by the curb.

As she got into the car, the brilliant smile on Eve’s face slowly faded as she met Mason’s stern gaze.

"Um..."

Eve asked cautiously, "Mr. Lawson, why the long face? Did your trip not go well?"

Mason shot her a glance before ordering the driver, "Drive."

Eve’s heart began to pound. ’What’s going on?’

She had thought that after not seeing each other for so long, Mason would pull her into a passionate kiss the moment she got in the car, just like he always did.

But here he was, wearing an icy expression, as if she’d done something to betray him.

The entire ride, Eve nervously racked her brain. ’What did I do this week?’

’Other than listening to him and befriending Regina Shaw, I was just in my dorm or at the library studying.’

’It’s not like I cheated on him!’

’So why is he treating me like this?’

By the time they were approaching The Sovereign Pearl, Eve couldn’t stand it any longer.

She asked meekly, "Mr. Lawson... are you upset with me? Did I do something to make you unhappy?"

Mason’s dark, heavy gaze fell on her. "You know exactly what you did," he said. "And you still think you’ve done nothing wrong?"