Old Mr. Lawson never imagined Mason Lawson would dare to speak to him in such a tone.

The Third Madam’s face went pale with shock. "Mason, apologize to your father this instant! Have you lost your mind?"

Mason Lawson stated, word by word, "The Lawson Group is indeed yours to command, but don’t forget—the shareholders on the board would never agree to my dismissal."

After all, since Mason Lawson had taken the helm, the Lawson Group’s profits had climbed year after year. The shareholders were naturally delighted.

They couldn’t care less who was in charge. All they saw were the dividends they pocketed each year.

Old Mr. Lawson was so furious he was left speechless. All he could do was curse Mason as a "rebellious son" and threaten to disown him; he was at a loss for any other words.

The Third Madam was starting to feel a flicker of fear herself.

’After all, if Mason dares to defy Old Mr. Lawson now, what’s to stop him from turning on me, his own mother, in the future? It could happen in an instant.’

Mason Lawson seemed disinclined to waste any more words on them. He rose to his feet. "If you have any issues in the future, bring them to me directly. I will be the one arranging Eve Vaughn’s life. It’s not up to anyone else."

With that, he turned and left, ignoring the string of furious curses Old Mr. Lawson hurled at his back.

He had more important things to do.

...

After leaving the Lawson Family estate, Mason Lawson boarded a private jet and headed abroad.

The results from the blood samples of Eve Vaughn’s mother and his own mother were in.

Given the complexity of the situation, GeneCorp had said it would be best for Mason Lawson to come and discuss the matter in person.

"Mr. Lawson, after analyzing the numerous blood samples you provided, we’ve discovered that the genes of both individuals have been completely altered. In other words, their genetic sequences are different from the originals. Furthermore, both are the product of failed modifications."

It dawned on Mason Lawson then. ’So, Simon Vaughn was using people as test subjects for genetic modification experiments while he was alive.’

The men before him were some of the world’s top experts in genetic engineering.

Mason Lawson asked grimly, "Do you know what kind of result the person who modified their genes was trying to achieve?"

The experts shook their heads. "That’s difficult to say. After all, genetic experimentation is becoming increasingly widespread. There are even many unscrupulous parties using genetic modification to achieve nefarious ends."

Mason Lawson pressed on, "Is there any way to restore them to normal?"

’If they could be restored, maybe then he could find out what Simon Vaughn had done to them all those years ago.’

’He might even discover Simon Vaughn’s motive.’

The most senior expert spoke up. "Mr. Lawson, I’m afraid our hands are tied. In principle, genetic modification is irreversible. However, there was once a man on our team who was exceptionally gifted in this field. If anyone could do it, it would be him."

Mason Lawson asked urgently, "Where is this person now? Rest assured, price is not an issue."

"We can help you contact him, if you’d like. But he offended a very powerful figure over a personal matter last year and was subsequently blacklisted in the field. No company dares to hire him. As far as I know, though, he takes on many private jobs to make ends meet."

At Mason Lawson’s behest, GeneCorp immediately contacted this master of genetic modification.

To his surprise, they were able to get in touch with him very quickly.

Mason Lawson was short on time. He couldn’t be away for too long, lest he arouse Old Mr. Lawson’s suspicion.

So, he arranged to meet the expert that very day.

He also immediately had his men run a background check on the expert, just to make sure he hadn’t hired someone who was all talk and no action.

Mason Lawson was somewhat surprised when he finally met the expert.

He had expected a foreigner, but the man was of Chinese descent.

"Hello, Mr. Lawson. My name is Riley Chambers." The expert was a man of about fifty, bespectacled and very slender.

Mason Lawson nodded. "Dr. Chambers, I presume you’ve already been briefed on my mother’s situation."

Riley Chambers replied with composure, "Yes. I am confident I can restore your mother to normal, and I have handled similar cases in the past. However, I have two conditions. I wonder if you would be willing to meet them, Mr. Lawson?"

Mason Lawson said, "As long as you can cure my mother, just tell me what they are."

Riley Chambers pushed his glasses up his nose and shot a wary glance at Neil Kane.

Mason Lawson took the hint and nodded, dismissing Neil Kane from the room.

As Mason Lawson’s confidant, Neil Kane knew practically everything about his affairs.

Neil Kane was the one who handled many of his secret operations.

Being sent out of the room naturally didn’t sit well with Neil Kane.

’What’s this doctor being so mysterious about?’

The door’s soundproofing was poor, but Neil Kane still couldn’t make out what they were discussing inside, not that he dared to eavesdrop.

In the end, all he heard was Mason Lawson’s voice saying, "I’ll do my best!"

Soon, Mason Lawson came out, ready to head back to avoid raising any suspicions.

Especially from Old Mr. Lawson. Mason had a feeling the old man was somehow involved in this whole affair.

Therefore, he had to be careful not to tip his hand.

...

It was the next day when Mason Lawson quietly returned to Rivaster.

But now that Mason Lawson was beginning to openly defy Old Mr. Lawson, he had started staying away from the Lawson family estate at night.

So his one-night absence didn’t arouse any suspicion. Everyone just assumed Mason Lawson was off enjoying a woman’s company.

The first branch of the family, in particular, was actually relieved.

Ethan Lawson said with an air of certainty, "Mason Lawson is just digging his own grave now, throwing caution to the wind. The old man might not be able to revoke his position at Lawson Group right now, but don’t forget how many shares the old man holds. If this continues, Mason won’t get a thing when the old man is gone."

Although Autumn Woods was still at odds with Ethan Lawson over his affair, when it came to the power struggle, the husband and wife were surprisingly aligned.

She said smugly, "Look at that Third Madam, always strutting around in front of us. And what does she have to show for it now? In the end, she raised Mason Lawson all for nothing. Does he even give her the time of day?"

Ethan Lawson nodded in agreement. "Right now, our top priority is to groom Julian! We need to get the old man to change his opinion of him. That way, our odds of winning will be much greater!"

...

「Meanwhile」 At The Sovereign Pearl, Mason Lawson and Eve Vaughn had just finished their showers.

Although he held a soft, warm beauty in his arms, Mason Lawson was genuinely exhausted from two days of long-distance travel.

He made no predatory moves on Eve Vaughn, simply holding her in his arms.

Eve Vaughn asked, still a little uneasy, "Are you really not going back to the Lawson estate?"

Mason Lawson gently pinched her nose. "What’s wrong? You don’t like me staying here with you?"

"It’s not that, it’s wonderful. I’m just afraid that if you keep this up, you’ll infuriate your father," Eve Vaughn said with concern. "What if he tries to punish you with the family rules again..."

Mason Lawson smiled and said suddenly, "How about I stay with you every night from now on?"

Eve Vaughn was taken aback. She looked at him in disbelief. "Really? But your parents... will they agree?"

Mason Lawson retorted, "Do I need their permission?"

Eve Vaughn paused. ’Maybe... it wasn’t necessary after all?’

She really couldn’t figure Mason Lawson out anymore.

Sometimes, being with him made her feel incredibly safe.

But at other times, her heart was in her throat, because she felt she could never truly see through this man.

All she could see was what Mason Lawson allowed her to see.

Snow began to fall again outside the window. The warmth in the room was potent, lulling one into a drowsy state.

Just then, Eve Vaughn heard the man’s voice whisper in her ear, "Evie, what do you think about sending your mother abroad for treatment?"

The mention of her mother snapped Eve Vaughn wide awake. "Abroad? Why?"