However, Regina Shaw made several calls, but Mason Lawson hung up on her every time.

"This is infuriating!"

Staring at her phone after he hung up yet again, Regina Shaw fumed, "That man... Is he giving me the cold shoulder because my family taught Joanna Sullivan a lesson? He won’t take a single one of my calls!"

Eve Vaughn’s voice was dejected, but laced with a hint of gratitude. "Senior Shaw, you don’t have to worry about me anymore. I don’t want to make things worse between the Lawson and Shaw families. Maybe... I was the one who took this relationship too seriously from the start, and that’s why it all ended up this way."

Regina Shaw said, "But shouldn’t two people be serious when they’re together? Evie, don’t put yourself down. You did nothing wrong! The ones at fault are the weak-willed Mason Lawson and that Joanna Sullivan, who’s trying to get her old flame back. This has nothing to do with you."

...

After learning their daughter had been wronged, it took the Shaw Family only two days to bring Joanna Sullivan to her knees.

First, Old Mr. Lawson, representing the Lawson Group, announced that none of its subsidiary brands would work with Joanna Sullivan in the future.

Second, a popular dance variety show in Calypsos, which Joanna Sullivan had signed on to as the head judge, was also cancelled on her. On the promotional posters, another dancer had already taken her place.

Furthermore, the contract terminations from the Lawson Group’s brands and the popular dance show came with no severance. On the contrary, citing damage to their own image from her recent scandal, they demanded that Joanna Sullivan pay an enormous sum for breach of contract.

Suddenly, Joanna Sullivan’s studio was facing a massive financial crisis. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Mason Lawson transferred money from his personal account to cover the damages for her.

Joanna Sullivan’s studio was saved, for the time being.

But the Shaw Family was not one to be trifled with!

They hadn’t achieved their desired outcome—driving Joanna Sullivan out of Rivaster for good—so they refused to back down.

After all, Mr. and Mrs. Shaw treated their daughter like the apple of their eye. How could they stand by and let someone bully her?

They made up their minds: they wouldn’t rest until Joanna Sullivan was driven out of Rivaster.

And so, the moment Old Mr. Lawson returned from his trip abroad, he invited Mr. and Mrs. Shaw to the Lawson residence.

However, it was a weekday, so Mason Lawson was at work and Regina Shaw was at school.

Old Mr. Lawson said, "Mason will come home early for lunch and explain the situation to you. Oh, and have him pick up Regina from school on his way back. We can all have a nice family meal together."

Mr. and Mrs. Shaw looked displeased.

But the Lawson Group’s standing in the business world was unparalleled. Their families joining through marriage was a powerful alliance of politics and commerce, one that would maximize their benefits.

At first, Mrs. Shaw had been so angry she wanted to call off her daughter’s engagement with the Lawson family, saving her from a future where Mason Lawson was still entangled with his first love.

But Mr. Shaw had rebuked her, calling her view short-sighted. If she was worried about their daughter being wronged, he argued, why not just remove the obstacle from her path?

And so, in the end, the couple decided not to call off the marriage.

But Mrs. Shaw wasn’t about to let the matter slide. She said, "Mr. Lawson, you are our senior, and I hear the Lawson family is known for its strict principles. I’m curious, how exactly do you plan to handle this scandal? Our Regina has been terribly wronged by that woman. And yet, that woman’s studio is open right here in Rivaster, so close to the Lawson Group. It’s as if she’s making it convenient to meet with Mason, deliberately rubbing salt in our wounds!"

Upon hearing this, Old Mr. Lawson immediately understood. "Rest assured," he said. "As soon as Mason returns, I will have him take care of it. I guarantee that woman will be out of Rivaster within a week."

Old Mr. Lawson sighed to himself. ’To think that Mason was willing to endure so many lashes for that young Eve Vaughn... I really thought he was serious about her.’

’But how much time has passed? Now it’s Joanna Sullivan!’

’I used to worry that Eve Vaughn would be the stumbling block to the alliance between the Lawson and Shaw families.’

’Who would have thought? Eve Vaughn has been quiet, but now Joanna Sullivan has come out of the woodwork to stir up trouble!’

Listening to Old Mr. Lawson and the Shaws from the side, The Third Madam couldn’t help but scoff internally. ’They want my niece to be the scapegoat for Eve Vaughn.’

’Not a chance in hell!’

She checked the time. It was about right. A calculating glint appeared in her eyes.

’Let’s just see if Mr. and Mrs. Shaw can still act so high and mighty in a few minutes.’

Just then, a maid hurried over and said, "Sir, a lady is at the door. She says she’s the madam’s sister and is here for a visit."

The Third Madam immediately stood up, a broad smile on her face. "Oh my, what a coincidence. Old Mr. Lawson, you continue to host our guests. I’ll go greet my sister. She just returned from abroad today and came straight to see me. It wouldn’t be right for me not to receive her personally."

Old Mr. Lawson frowned. ’Her sister? Isn’t that Joanna Sullivan’s mother?’

But with Mr. and Mrs. Shaw right there, he couldn’t just dismiss the Third Madam and cause her to lose face.

Before long, the sound of shouting, like an argument, drifted in from outside.

"You Lawsons have gone too far! I’ve never seen such bullies!"

A sharp woman’s voice cut through the air from outside, shattering the quiet of the living room.

Mr. and Mrs. Shaw frowned. Old Mr. Lawson immediately rose to his feet. "What’s going on?"

The words had barely left his mouth when Joanna Sullivan’s mother, Janet Chandler, barged in, with the Third Madam feigning to pull her back.

"Janet, what do you think you’re doing? We have guests today, our future in-laws! For my sake, can’t we discuss this later?"

The Third Madam appeared to be anxiously trying to placate her, but inwardly, she was overjoyed.

’Mr. and Mrs. Shaw were so arrogant just now. In a moment, I’ll let them see what it feels like to be utterly humiliated.’

Old Mr. Lawson’s expression was grim. He snapped, "Get out! What do you take the Lawson estate for? This is not the place for you to cause a scene."

Janet Chandler scoffed. "What, is the Lawson estate the imperial palace? Off-limits? You bullied my daughter, and you think I won’t demand justice? And the Shaws are here today, too. Perfect. We can clear the air all at once!"

Mr. and Mrs. Shaw exchanged a look. As if realizing something, Mrs. Shaw looked at the woman and asked, "Who is your daughter?"

"Joanna Sullivan!"

Janet Chandler’s eyes flashed with anger. "That name—don’t tell me you haven’t heard it. I heard it was you two who have been suppressing and blacklisting my daughter. Are you trying to drive her into a corner?"