The servants’ shouts naturally startled the family of the eldest son.

The Third Madam wasn’t home, as she was at the hospital looking after the Old Master.

When Autumn Woods and Ethan Lawson rushed over, Julian Lawson was sitting dejectedly on the stairs, leaning against the railing.

Mason Lawson stood to one side, his own expression grim.

Autumn Woods rushed over, and her anger flared the moment she saw the cut at the corner of her son’s mouth.

Ethan Lawson pointed at Mason Lawson, absolutely livid. "Just great. You actually dared to lay a hand on Julian! Is this how an elder should behave?"

Autumn Woods chimed in, "You just wait. We’re going to the hospital right now. I’d like to see what the Old Master has to say about this! What kind of uncle acts like this? Our Julian’s health is already fragile. Are you trying to kill him because you’re afraid he’ll fight you for the family inheritance one day?"

Ethan Lawson helped his son up and said to his wife, "Don’t waste your breath on him. Let’s go to the hospital now! And bring the servants who saw them fighting! I want my dad to see just how outrageous Mason Lawson has become!"

Like a defeated rooster, Julian said nothing, letting his parents drag him along.

Just as they were walking out, Mason Lawson’s ice-cold voice sounded from behind them.

"I’d advise you not to do that."

Mason Lawson said in a low voice, "If you want to run to the Old Master about the liver donation, I won’t stop you. But perhaps the Old Master will decide to investigate why you had Charlotte Vaughn take Eve Vaughn’s place. What, exactly, is so special about this Charlotte Vaughn?"

The moment he finished speaking, the expressions on Autumn Woods and Ethan Lawson’s faces visibly darkened.

Mason Lawson gave them a warning look and walked upstairs.

In the end, Ethan Lawson and Autumn Woods didn’t dare go report him to the Old Master. They took Julian and went back.

After taking Julian to his bedroom and instructing Charlotte Vaughn to take good care of him, the couple came back out, their nerves on edge.

Ethan Lawson whispered, "Something’s not right. Don’t tell me Mason knows something? From the way he was acting tonight, it didn’t seem like he was just bluffing."

Autumn Woods’s heart skipped a beat, and she immediately denied it. "Impossible. If he knew something, he would have run to the Old Master long ago. After all, if he has a chance to crush us, why would he hold back? He’s probably just testing us."

Ethan Lawson nodded. He glanced back toward the bedroom, from which the sounds of an argument could be heard, and said, "That boy is such a handful!"

...

Eve Vaughn was counting the days. In about another week, she would be leaving for M University.

She had already begun arranging her mother’s discharge from the hospital, planning to take her abroad.

After all, The Third Madam had given her more than enough money and resources, provided she left Mason Lawson.

And Eve hadn’t refused out of false pride. After all, her mother’s medical bills were a massive expense.

It was Hamilton Hale, after all, who had helped her mother get admitted to Evergreen Hospital in the first place.

Now that her mother was being discharged, Eve, out of politeness, called Hamilton Hale to inform him.

"I heard about you and Mason," Hamilton Hale said, a hint of regret in his voice. "No matter what, I wish you all the best for your future."

Eve didn’t know what to say. ’Do all of Mason’s friends see me as some vain gold digger now?’

But thinking of the help he had given her, she still said sincerely, "Thank you, Doctor Hale."

After her call with Hamilton Hale, she began working on her mother’s discharge papers and coordinating with the hospital abroad to confirm an admission date.

Just then, her phone rang.

It was an unknown number. Eve Vaughn thought it was the hospital.

When she answered, Mason Lawson’s cold voice came from the other end of the line. "I’m with your mother right now. Are you going to abandon your mother, too?"

In an instant, Eve Vaughn’s heart leaped into her throat.

’She didn’t believe Mason was the kind of person who would do anything to her mother...’

’But she hadn’t answered his call yesterday, and knowing Mason’s temper, he wouldn’t just let it go.’

So Eve was terrified. She bolted from her dorm room and rushed to the hospital.

...

Half an hour later, a breathless Eve Vaughn arrived at her mother Aurelia Quinn’s hospital room.

Seeing how tense she was, Mason gave a self-mocking smile. ’This girl really sees me as some kind of monster.’

Eve Vaughn ran to her mother’s bedside, pushed him away a little, and said warily, "Our business is our business. Why are you here bothering my mother?" 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Mason said expressionlessly, "You don’t answer my calls. I had to find another way to see you, didn’t I? It’s become quite difficult to get a moment with you these days."

That last sentence was clearly tinged with sarcasm.

Eve Vaughn sighed and said, "What do you want to see me for? If it’s to stop me from going abroad, then you can save your breath. I’ve already contacted the hospital abroad, and my mom will be transferred there soon."

Mason didn’t bring up Julian, though he did care a great deal about what Eve now thought of him.

’But their relationship is already in this state. If I blame her now, it will only make things worse.’

So, Mason gazed at her and said softly, "I came to see you because there’s something I want to tell you. I’ve thought about your questions from the other day, and I have an answer."

Eve froze for a moment. ’What question?’

’She felt like she’d asked him so many questions, she could hardly remember them all herself.’

Then, Mason said slowly, "When I first noticed you, it’s true that it was because you bore a slight resemblance to her. But later, the person I fell in love with was you, Eve Vaughn. I’m certain of it. You aren’t a substitute for anyone. Maybe, from the very beginning, the reason I was drawn to you was simply because you are Eve Vaughn."

His words were like a giant boulder crashing into a stagnant lake, sending a thousand ripples across its surface.

Eve suppressed the thrill that shot through her, not daring to let it show on her face.

’But those words from Mason... to her, they were a hundred times more beautiful than any sweet nothing in the world.’

’It’s a shame I’ll never hear them again.’

’Sometimes Eve hated herself. Why couldn’t she have been born into a powerful family, like Regina Shaw?’

’If she had, she wouldn’t feel so insecure, and she wouldn’t have to be afraid of dragging him down.’

’Hearing words like these, she could have thrown herself into his arms without a second thought and told him how much she loved him.’

’But reality was too cruel. She wasn’t good enough for him...’

Eve Vaughn looked up at the ceiling, trying to will her tears back.

After a long while, she finally smiled and said, "Mr. Lawson, I..."

She only managed to get a few words out before her throat seemed to close up.

Because when her eyes met his deep ones, she couldn’t say another word.

Not wanting to hear an answer he wouldn’t like, Mason said, "You still have a week before you leave the country. Don’t rush into a decision. Think over what I said. If you change your mind, call me anytime."