Mr. and Mrs. Shaw’s hearts ached terribly. They felt their daughter was being terribly bullied by Mason Lawson’s first love.

Mrs. Shaw, in particular, said to Regina Shaw with teary eyes, "You silly girl, why didn’t you tell us sooner? Even though the Lawson family was the one your father picked, if we had known Mason Lawson was treating you like this, we would never have just stood by and done nothing!"

Regina Shaw put on a wronged expression and said, "Actually, Mason’s not so bad. It’s his first love who’s always coming to pick a fight with me, threatening and intimidating me. I didn’t tell you because I was afraid you’d worry."

Wesley Shaw frowned, questioning Regina Shaw’s words. "Since when have you been so considerate? I remember you always being the type to get revenge over the smallest thing."

After he finished speaking, Mr. Shaw immediately berated his son, "Shut up! You’re her older brother! Your sister is in this state, and you can still say such heartless things!"

Regina Shaw secretly shot her brother a glare, a hint of smugness in her eyes.

The look seemed to say: ’See? Mom and Dad still spoil me the most!’

Wesley Shaw felt helpless and said no more. He would just have to see how his parents decided to handle this.

In any case, it wasn’t his place to make decisions about his sister’s marriage.

Mrs. Shaw’s earlier gentle and kind demeanor had completely vanished. She said sharply, "Wesley, have someone find out where this woman lives. I’m going to go see for myself just who dares to mess with my daughter!"

Eve Vaughn watched all of this from the side, feeling incredibly envious of Regina Shaw.

’A powerful family to back her up, the darling of all her relatives... Regina Shaw really won the birth lottery!’

...

「In the hospital.」

During her struggle with those two men yesterday, Joanna Sullivan had also been kicked in the ribs by one of them.

Mason Lawson had originally taken her home, but later brought her to the hospital in the middle of the night.

Although there were no broken bones, Joanna Sullivan’s mother was far away abroad and was only now rushing back after hearing the news.

The Third Madam had gone abroad with the Old Master a few days ago for a health retreat, so she wasn’t in Rivaster either.

So, Mason Lawson hadn’t left yet. He had been staying at the hospital, waiting for Joanna Sullivan’s various test results to come back.

From last night until now, Joanna Sullivan had been crying nonstop. No matter what she was asked, she refused to say anything.

Mason Lawson later had his men make inquiries. Joanna Sullivan had attended a drinking party last night, but there were too many people there, and he didn’t know who exactly had tried to take advantage of her.

With Joanna Sullivan’s looks, there were far too many men who coveted her.

Even if Joanna Sullivan didn’t say anything, Mason Lawson could guess most of what had happened last night.

However, when he saw the scandal spreading like wildfire all over the internet, his expression suddenly darkened.

He stood by Joanna Sullivan’s hospital bed, looking down at her as he asked, "Did you arrange for the paparazzi to take these photos? You deliberately lured me into saving you, then had someone film it and leak the story."

"Mason."

Joanna Sullivan’s eyes filled with hurt. She choked out, "Why must you always think the worst of me! How would I know you were eating there yesterday? And how could I possibly have timed it so perfectly? Since you want to know what happened yesterday, fine! I’ll tell you. It was your older brother, Ethan Lawson! Are you satisfied now?"

Mason Lawson’s pupils contracted sharply. He seemed shocked.

Joanna Sullivan covered her face and broke down in tears, explaining, "I’m just a woman trying to run a dance studio and support so many employees in a place like Rivaster. Do you have any idea how hard that is? You canceled my endorsement deal, so of course I had to find other work! But I never expected that group of people last night... they were all animals!

"They kept forcing me to drink. I can hold my liquor, but not that much. Later, Ethan Lawson tried to take advantage of me, and that’s when I realized they were trying to offer me up to him! I was so angry and tried to run, but I didn’t expect them to actually send people after me!"

Although her words shocked Mason Lawson, he was still skeptical of her explanation.

Just then, Neil Kane knocked and entered. "Mr. Lawson," he said, "we’ve found the mastermind behind the candid photos and the posts."

Mason Lawson asked sharply, "Who was it?"

"It was your sister-in-law, Autumn Woods."

Neil Kane explained, "Autumn Woods has had people tailing Ethan Lawson for a long time. Apparently, it’s because Ethan Lawson has been fooling around a lot lately. To find evidence, Autumn Woods hired private investigators to follow him. Last night, they were originally trying to get proof of Ethan Lawson’s affair, but they happened to see you rescue Miss Sullivan and take her home. It’s likely that Autumn Woods released the story on a whim to cause trouble for you. After all, you’re about to be married into the Shaw family, and they don’t want to see our two families join forces." 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Mason Lawson wasn’t the least bit surprised. The members of the family’s eldest branch would never stop making trouble—not unless their portraits were hanging on a wall.

Otherwise, they would never stop.

At this, Joanna Sullivan started crying even harder. After all, Mason Lawson had misunderstood her yet again.

Now that she had finally been exonerated, she naturally had to cry more pitifully to make him feel guilty.

Mason Lawson dismissed Neil Kane, walked over, and handed Joanna Sullivan a few tissues. "Stop crying," he said. "I’ll still give you the Lawson Group’s jewelry endorsement. Consider it compensation for misunderstanding you."

Joanna Sullivan felt a little better, but she still looked up at him eagerly and asked, unwilling to give up, "Is it just compensation? Mason, is there nothing else between us?"

Mason Lawson walked to the window and gazed outside, leaving her with only his cold, stern back.

Joanna Sullivan suddenly pulled out her IV needle, got out of bed, and wrapped her arms around his waist from behind.

"Mason..."

Joanna Sullivan held him tightly, her voice trembling. "Don’t push me away. Please, just let me hold you like this for a little while. Do you know? Yesterday, when I was almost taken advantage of by those bastards, you were the only one on my mind. I told myself that I’m your woman, Mason Lawson’s woman. If I had really lost my innocence, I would have killed myself!"

Mason Lawson’s body stiffened. Although he didn’t push her away, he spoke coolly, "I’ve already called your mother. I have things to attend to at the company soon, so I can’t stay long."

"No, don’t go."

Joanna Sullivan cried even more sorrowfully. She was willing to bet that Mason Lawson couldn’t bear to leave her.

He hadn’t embraced her, but his body was stiff, which meant he was trying his best to restrain himself while she was pressed against him.

’If I just try a little harder, he’ll soften up.’

But just then, the door was suddenly thrown open. Neil Kane’s voice could be heard from behind: "Mrs. Shaw, you... please let me announce you first."

But Wesley Shaw simply blocked Neil Kane, clearing the way for his mother and sister to enter Joanna Sullivan’s hospital room without any announcement.

Hearing someone arrive, Mason Lawson subconsciously pushed Joanna Sullivan away.

Regina Shaw seemed not to have expected them to be so lovey-dovey in the hospital.

’What does that Mason Lawson think Eve Vaughn is?’

’If he can’t let go of his first love, why does he act so devoted to Eve Vaughn?’

’Who is he putting on a show for?’

Mrs. Shaw was absolutely fuming. After all, in her eyes, this was the perfect son-in-law they had so carefully chosen, and here he was, cheating before the wedding.

Mason Lawson’s expression was grim. He didn’t offer an explanation. Now that they had been caught in such a situation, explaining would only make things more suspicious.

He simply greeted Mrs. Shaw lightly, "Aunt Shaw, you’re here."

Mrs. Shaw let out a cold laugh. Suppressing her anger, she said, word by word, "Mason, would you mind if I had a private talk with this Miss Sullivan? There are many things that are inconvenient for me to say with you here."

Joanna Sullivan knew Mrs. Shaw hadn’t come with good intentions. But right in front of Mrs. Shaw, she grabbed Mason Lawson’s hand and looked at him, frail and pitiful. "Mason, don’t go," she said. "Don’t leave me alone. I’m scared."

She was already extremely beautiful, with a lithe and graceful figure that made her seem as if she might collapse at any moment.

Before Mason Lawson could speak, Regina Shaw suddenly walked over and forcefully pried Joanna Sullivan’s hand away.

She squeezed out a smile at Mason Lawson, acting like a doting wife. "Mason, my roommate is waiting for me downstairs. Could you do me a favor and take her back to school? After all, who knows how long this will take to sort out? We can’t let her wait forever in this cold weather."

’Roommate?’

Mason Lawson immediately understood.

’Could it be Eve Vaughn?’

He’d called her several times, but the girl’s phone was off and she hadn’t answered.

He hadn’t expected her to be with Regina Shaw’s family today, and at the hospital no less.

Mason Lawson’s gaze darkened slightly, but he still chose to leave.

But before he left, he said to Mrs. Shaw, "Aunt Shaw, Joanna Sullivan is injured. Please be gentle with her. I’m asking you a favor."

This only made Mrs. Shaw angrier. She said coldly, "Mason, don’t worry. We come from respectable, prominent families. I wouldn’t stoop to crude, physical altercations or other such sordid, underhanded business."

These words were clearly meant for Joanna Sullivan.

Regina Shaw even urged him, "Mason, you should hurry. I’m worried my roommate will get impatient."

Joanna Sullivan called out "Mason" pitifully, but in the end, Mason Lawson still left the room, leaving her to face Mrs. Shaw and Regina Shaw alone.