Rivaster University.

Eve Vaughn told Regina Shaw the news that she was going abroad as an exchange student.

"This really is a good opportunity."

Regina Shaw was very much in favor of it. Although with Eve Vaughn gone, she felt there was no reason for her to stay in the dorm anymore.

Still, there was never anything wrong with going out to see the world.

When Regina Shaw saw the application form she was filling out, she said in pleasant surprise, "You’re going to M University? Hey, that’s where I did my PhD!"

Eve Vaughn smiled too. "Is it fate? But you’ve come back, and I’m just now going."

"That’s nothing to worry about. Trust me, the things you’ll learn over there in two years will be absolutely invaluable. You’ll get way ahead of your peers in this field. And if you’re lucky enough to catch the eye of a professor at M University, you could very well do your master’s and doctorate there too."

Regina Shaw listed a whole host of benefits of studying abroad, but Eve Vaughn wasn’t so happy.

She knew the only reason she was leaving was to draw a clear line between herself and Mason Lawson, to give him back a bright future.

But once she went abroad, she would be farther and farther away from Mason Lawson. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

’Will he completely forget about me in a few months?’

At that thought, a piercing pain shot through Eve Vaughn’s heart.

Just then, a message came through on her phone’s group chat.

It said that at noon tomorrow, a representative from Lawson Group would be treating the outstanding students selected for the exchange program to a meal and giving them a proper send-off.

’A representative from Lawson Group?’

Eve Vaughn’s first thought was of Mason Lawson.

But then she dismissed the idea as impossible.

’The things I said last time really crossed a line with him. That man probably hates my guts by now. Why would he use this kind of method to see me?’

Besides, the sponsors of this exchange program were supposed to be Old Mr. Lawson and The Third Madam.

So, Eve Vaughn figured that treating them to a meal and seeing them off was just a formality for Lawson Group—a PR move, nothing more.

So, Eve Vaughn replied "Got it" in the group chat.

The next day at noon, she dressed in a relatively formal outfit and went to the dinner.

The other four exchange students went as well, along with the university president and their counselor.

They arrived half an hour early because the president said they couldn’t keep the investors waiting.

Half an hour later, the door to the private room opened, and Mason Lawson made his belated entrance.

Eve Vaughn watched the unsmiling man in the silver-gray suit, her heart skipping a beat in nervousness.

’I can’t believe it’s really him.’

Her gaze subconsciously followed his every move.

But he didn’t spare her a single glance from beginning to end.

His coldness was what Eve Vaughn had expected, but it still hurt her deeply.

’I hope that someday in the future, when Mason has everything, he’ll understand how helpless I feel right now.’

Pushing away the person you love most... Eve Vaughn was now truly tasting that searing, soul-crushing pain.

After arriving, Mason Lawson took the seat of honor. No matter where he went, he was always the most dazzling person in the room.

Everyone hovered around him like stars around the moon; even the university president treated him with the utmost respect.

The other students were terribly stiff and formal. It was their first time meeting such a wealthy tycoon—the kind who, they’d heard, spent money like water.

Otherwise, how could he cover the tuition and living expenses for five students abroad for three years without batting an eye?

Only Eve Vaughn’s gaze was different from everyone else’s.

She stared at him intently, wanting to look at him a little longer, to burn his image into her memory a little more clearly.

Mason Lawson chatted with the president, exuding the sharp, imposing aura of a man born to be in charge.

It wasn’t until the president began introducing the selected exchange students one by one that Mason Lawson’s gaze finally fell on Eve Vaughn.

Eve Vaughn’s heart skipped a beat, and she quickly averted her eyes from his profound gaze.

Mason Lawson listened to the president’s introductions with an impassive expression.

After the president finished, Mason Lawson said lightly, "Alright, everyone, please don’t just stand there. Sit down and eat. The Lawson Group is honored to be able to contribute to cultivating such outstanding students. There’s no need to be so formal today."

Not only that, but the president had also intended to have the students propose a toast to Mason Lawson.

But Mason Lawson, knowing how Eve Vaughn was when she drank, said, "They’re all just a bunch of kids. They probably can’t hold their liquor. Let’s switch to soft drinks."

Hearing this, Eve Vaughn felt a warmth spread through her heart.

’I don’t know if he did that for me, but I know I wasn’t wrong about him.’

This man had always been like this, a towering mountain for her to lean on.

The president said gratefully, "Thank you for your consideration, President Lawson. In that case, I’ll toast you a few more times myself."

The counselor had met Mason Lawson once before, and the president was also aware of the relationship between Mason and Eve Vaughn.

So, they shared a tacit understanding.

Although they didn’t know the exact purpose of Mason Lawson arranging this dinner, they were certain it had something to do with Eve Vaughn.

In the middle of the meal, Mason Lawson suddenly clutched his stomach, a pained expression on his face.

The president jumped in alarm and quickly asked, "President Lawson, are you... What’s wrong?"

"My apologies. I think my gastritis is acting up. I’ll be fine after a little rest."

Although Mason Lawson said it nonchalantly, the president suddenly understood his intention.

Therefore, the president immediately said, "In that case, President Lawson, please go get some rest. Eve Vaughn, you go buy some stomach medicine for President Lawson."

"Me... Me?"

Eve Vaughn froze. ’Why me? There are so many people here, why single me out?’

The president urged, "What are you standing there for? Hurry up!"

Eve Vaughn didn’t have time to overthink it. Seeing the pained look on Mason Lawson’s face, she grew anxious too and quickly ran out.

Luckily, there was a pharmacy near the hotel.

A little over ten minutes later, Eve Vaughn returned with the medicine.

To her surprise, the president had already left with everyone else. A waiter told her that because President Lawson had suddenly fallen ill, the president had ended the dinner early.

Eve Vaughn was speechless. ’Isn’t this just setting me up?’

"Then where is President Lawson?" Eve Vaughn asked.

The waiter pointed to the lounge area. "He’s still resting in there. He looks like he’s in a lot of pain."

Eve Vaughn felt both worried and heartbroken. She quickly took the stomach medicine and headed for the lounge.

However, the moment she opened the lounge door, a strong arm pulled her into an embrace, and the door swung shut behind them.