Mason Lawson concealed the darkness in his gaze and said casually, "The medical care abroad is better. It might be helpful for your mother’s condition."

Although Eve Vaughn agreed, she hesitated. "But if she goes abroad, the costs will be even higher. I couldn’t even afford the expenses here if it weren’t for you, let alone going overseas."

"But you have me, don’t you?"

Mason Lawson stroked her long hair. "As long as I’m here, you’ll never have to worry about money."

In truth, Eve Vaughn desperately wanted her mother to receive better treatment. Even though her mother had been bedridden for many years, she still clung to a sliver of hope that she would one day open her eyes.

But for that very reason, she felt her burden was too heavy—and all of it was being shouldered by Mason Lawson.

She couldn’t help but feel she was letting him down, causing him too much trouble.

’What if, one day, they couldn’t be together anymore? Mason Lawson would have to marry a woman from a family of equal standing.’

’How would she ever repay all the money she owed him?’

After thinking for a long time, Eve Vaughn muttered quietly, "Maybe... we should just forget about it."

But Mason Lawson said, "Don’t you worry about it. I’ll make the arrangements and send your mother abroad for treatment as soon as possible. Who knows, a miracle could happen."

Ultimately, Eve Vaughn couldn’t resist the temptation and agreed.

After all, she also hoped for a miracle.

...

「Evergreen Hospital.」

A few days later, Mason Lawson came in person to handle the paperwork for Aurelia Quinn’s transfer.

He had arranged for a medical team to escort Aurelia Quinn abroad on a private jet, departing that very day.

When he heard the news, Hamilton Hale rushed over.

"Mason, come with me for a moment."

Hamilton Hale’s expression was grim as he led him to his office.

Mason Lawson smiled. "I thought you hated coming to your family’s hospital. Why the sudden interest in its affairs?"

Hamilton Hale’s dark eyes bored into him. "I don’t care about what happens at this hospital. But Mason, are you hiding something from me? Why are you suddenly sending Aurelia Quinn abroad?"

Mason Lawson replied calmly, "It’s common knowledge that medical care is better overseas. Didn’t you study abroad for several years yourself?"

Hamilton Hale frowned. "We’ve been brothers for years, yet you’re hiding things from me? Fine, let me ask you this: what about all those new needle marks on Aurelia Quinn’s legs and arms? How did they get there? Mason, what on earth are you doing?"

Mason Lawson’s expression turned cold. He said, enunciating every word, "I don’t know what you’re talking about. But as a member of the patient’s family, I’d advise you not to be a busybody. And as for Eve Vaughn, she’s a sensitive person. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t go filling her head with nonsense."

With that, he left Hamilton’s office.

’He seemed to say a lot, yet he’d said nothing at all.’

Hamilton Hale’s eyes remained filled with suspicion.

Knowing Mason Lawson as he did, he was certain the man was hiding something from him.

’Otherwise, he wouldn’t be in such a rush to transfer Aurelia Quinn.’

...

The discharge paperwork was processed quickly. Eve Vaughn saw her mother onto the plane, reluctant to let her go.

She had wanted to go along, but her final exams were starting. With tests scheduled for the next couple of days, there was no way she could get away.

Her mother was covered in tubes, and even though a large medical team was there to assist, it was still heart-wrenching for Eve Vaughn to see.

The feeling of unease in her heart grew more and more intense.

Mason Lawson pulled her into his arms. "If you miss her, we can go visit anytime. Don’t worry. Everything will be okay."

Eve Vaughn dissolved into tears, sobbing, "My mom has been in a coma for so many years, but we’ve never been this far apart. Do you think... do you think she’ll blame me for sending her so far away?"

Mason Lawson consoled her gently, "We’re doing this to get her treatment, right? Your mom will understand."

With his constant reassurance, Eve Vaughn’s emotions finally stabilized as she watched her mother depart.

She watched until the plane grew smaller and smaller, finally disappearing from view.

Mason Lawson looked up at the sky, his deep gaze filled with an unfathomable complexity.

A moment later, he retracted his gaze, took Eve Vaughn’s hand, and said, "Let’s go."

And so, he drove Eve Vaughn back to campus.

As she was getting out of the car, Mason Lawson stopped her. "Are you sure you want to stay in the dorm for the next few days? I can always come pick you up. You can study at my place without any interruptions."

"But the atmosphere in the library is better for studying. At home, my mind tends to wander."

Eve Vaughn tilted her head to look at him and smiled. "Mr. Lawson, try not to miss me too much!"

Mason Lawson leaned in and pointed to his cheek.

Eve Vaughn leaned forward and gave him a kiss.

Mason Lawson said with a sigh of resignation, "Fine. I guess I’ll be all alone for the next couple of days."

"Hey, stop trying to break my resolve!"

She pouted. "If you keep this up and I don’t finish first on my finals, it’ll be all your fault!"

Her antics made him not know whether to laugh or cry. "Alright, just focus on your exams," he said. "When you’re finished, it’ll be the weekend. I’ll take you to Crimson Spring Resort to properly relax."

...

She had a heavy course load that semester, so her final exams were spread out.

She finished a few exams this week, with several more scheduled for the end of the month.

Although Eve Vaughn felt she had done very well on her recent exams, she didn’t dare let her guard down for the ones at the end of the month.

Initially, she didn’t want to go to Crimson Spring Resort. After all, as long as her exams weren’t over, she would be too tense from studying to relax.

But Regina Shaw insisted, "Come on, you have to go! I already promised Mia, and I’m going. If you’re not there, it’ll be no fun."

Eve Vaughn glanced at the thick pile of textbooks and notes for her major courses and said, troubled, "But I feel like there’s still so much I haven’t memorized."

"Oh, relax! You’ll be totally fine!"

Regina Shaw urged her, "It’s just finals. You’re a top student—you think you’re going to choke now?"

And so, persuaded by Regina Shaw, Eve Vaughn agreed to go with them to Crimson Spring Resort.

They set off early on Saturday morning.

Regina Shaw, Eve Vaughn, and Mason took one car, while Mia Kendall and Eric Kendall took another.

On the way, Eve Vaughn sighed with emotion, "Regina, I’m so jealous you don’t have to take finals."

Regina Shaw replied, "I’ve got my own headaches with my thesis and all the papers I have to write. Honestly, I’m jealous of you undergraduates who just have to memorize your books to graduate."

Mason Lawson drove in silence, listening to their conversation. ’I really am getting old,’ he thought.

’After all, things like exams felt like a distant memory to him.’

’But his girl was still struggling so hard over them.’

Regina Shaw, sitting in the back seat, watched the silent Mason Lawson out of the corner of her eye.

Suddenly, she asked out of the blue, "President Lawson, you and Evie are completely inseparable—a day apart feels like an eternity for you two. So, when are you planning on getting married?"

At these words, Eve Vaughn’s eyes widened, and she turned to stare at her friend.

Regina Shaw winked back, giving her a look that screamed, ’Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing!’

’She had to find out: when exactly did Mason Lawson plan to take responsibility for Eve Vaughn?’

’He couldn’t possibly still be hung up on that little vixen while stringing Evie along for a free ride, could he?’