As if sensing her surprise, a slight smile played on Mason Lawson’s lips. He asked again, "Why aren’t you saying anything? If you’re hungry, I’ll take you to eat right now."

Eve Vaughn shook her head. "I... I’m not hungry. I can’t eat."

Director Sawyer, standing at the side, had reached the end of his rope.

Ever since he became the Director of Academic Affairs, he had never been treated this way.

’What nerve! How dare they treat me like I’m invisible!’

But the man before him looked like someone not to be trifled with. So, Director Sawyer directed his anger at Eve Vaughn. "Eve Vaughn! Is this your guardian? I told you to call your guardian, who did you call?"

It looked like Director Sawyer was determined to condemn Eve Vaughn and have her expelled from the university tonight.

Unfortunately for him, the moment the words left his mouth, Mason Lawson fixed a sharp gaze on him and said, "Go get the president."

Director Sawyer froze, thinking he must have misheard.

’Who does this guy think he is?’

’Such arrogance, demanding the president’s presence?’

Director Sawyer sneered. "Disciplining a student doesn’t require the president. I have the authority to handle this myself!"

Mason Lawson didn’t deign to waste another word on him. Instead, he took out his own phone and said, "If you won’t call him, I will."

Just like that, under the stunned gazes of the counselor, Director Sawyer, and Eve Vaughn, the man calmly walked to the office door and made a call.

They couldn’t hear what Mason Lawson said to the person on the other end, but it seemed he only spoke a few brief words before hanging up.

Mason Lawson turned back, walked over to Eve Vaughn, and said, "Let’s go. I’ll take you to eat first. Nothing is more important than eating."

He still had that proud, aloof air, as if no one else existed. Eve Vaughn wasn’t sure if she should go with him.

’With Mason’s attitude, won’t this just make them even more certain that I’ve found a sugar daddy and latched onto a wealthy benefactor?’

Especially now, with Director Sawyer’s sharp eyes fixed on her, looking like he wanted to eat her alive.

Eve Vaughn shook her head gently at Mason Lawson. "We should probably clear this up first."

Director Sawyer quickly interjected, "That’s right! Clear this up first. After that, no one cares where you go!"

Mason Lawson said to Eve Vaughn, "Other than the president, no one here is worthy of my explanation."

With that, he grabbed Eve Vaughn’s wrist and strode brazenly out of the office.

The moment they left, Director Sawyer’s furious voice erupted from inside. "Who... Who the hell is that guy? Strutting around like he owns the place! Did he just go to the door and pretend to make a call to mess with us?"

The counselor tried to placate him in a low voice, "Director, please don’t be angry yet. What if... what if he really did call the president?"

Director Sawyer pointed at her and cursed, "Are you out of your mind? She’s a poor student. What kind of social circle could she possibly have? Even if she found a sugar daddy, he’d just be some tasteless nouveau riche with nothing but money! Do you think a parvenu like that can get close to someone of our president’s social standing?"

Just then, the counselor pointed to the phone on Director Sawyer’s desk and cautiously reminded him, "Director, your phone is ringing."

Director Sawyer had been in the middle of his tirade and hadn’t heard his phone vibrating at all.

When he saw the caller ID showed it was the president, Director Sawyer’s expression changed instantly. He scrambled to answer the call.

The counselor noticed that his hand seemed to be trembling slightly.

"Hello, President. Heh heh, to what do I owe the pleasure of your call so late at night?"

Even over the phone, Director Sawyer was subconsciously bowing and scraping.

The president’s stern voice came from the other end: "Gary Sawyer, what on earth do you think you’re doing? As the Director of Academic Affairs, your first thought when a problem arises should be for the student, not to join in with malicious parties and sling mud at them! Where is your professional ethics as an educator? Have you no conscience?"

"President, you... you have to let me explain." Gary Sawyer’s tongue was starting to get tied. After all, he was about to be promoted to the university’s senior leadership, and the president held veto power.

So, he hurriedly said, "You might not be aware of the situation. This Eve Vaughn’s family is so poor she needs financial aid, but yesterday she actually..."

"Enough! I don’t need you to give me an embellished version. I already understand the basics of what happened."

The president said sternly, "From now on, you are to stay out of Eve Vaughn’s affairs. I will handle them personally! Also, be in my office tomorrow morning!"

With that, the president angrily hung up, but Director Sawyer still hadn’t recovered from the shock.

Not until the counselor cautiously asked, "Was that really the president?"

Director Sawyer shot the counselor a glare. "From now on, stay out of Eve Vaughn’s business!"

After saying that, he stalked out, trying to escape the scene of his social demise.

The counselor watched him go and pouted. ’He was the one who wouldn’t let Eve Vaughn off the hook, and now he’s acting like he’s the victim!’

But the counselor started to worry too.

’Could it be that the man from before really does have *that kind* of relationship with Eve Vaughn?’

’And what kind of powerful person is he? He completely disregarded the Director of Academic Affairs from start to finish and could get the president to handle the matter immediately with just one phone call.’

...

「Meanwhile.」

At a famous five-star Michelin restaurant in Rivaster.

Eve Vaughn ate quickly. The delicious food tasted like wax in her mouth; she just wanted to finish eating as fast as possible and go back to resolve the situation.

Otherwise, if the rumors continued to ferment overnight and spread throughout the entire university, she would never be able to clear her name.

Mason Lawson, sitting across from her, had already eaten dinner before coming here. Now, he sat opposite the young woman, watching her shovel food into her mouth, almost choking.

"Slow down."

Mason Lawson reminded her lightly, passing her a glass of water.

Eve Vaughn put down her silverware, her mind uneasy. "Uncle Mason, I’m done. Let’s hurry back."

"Back where?"

Mason Lawson glanced at her. "Didn’t you see me call the president?"

Eve Vaughn was a little surprised. She asked in disbelief, "Will the p-president really listen to you? But Director Sawyer... has photos..."

"What do those photos prove?"

Mason Lawson reached out and pinched her supple cheek. "They’re just used to scare obedient students like you!"

Eve Vaughn subtly dodged his intimate gesture and confirmed, "So... it’s all over now?"

"Mhm. So relax and eat. It’s fine now."

Mason Lawson’s rich voice soothed her anxious heart.

Eve Vaughn gave a slightly naive smile, sighing in relief. "Uncle Mason, the last person who made me feel this safe was my father."

Mason Lawson’s expression instantly soured. He replied coldly, "I’m not looking for a daughter."

Eve Vaughn froze. ’He’s not looking for one? Does that mean he already has a daughter?’

’It couldn’t be an illegitimate daughter, could it?’