In just a dozen seconds, a thousand thoughts raced through Eve Vaughn’s mind. After all, news of illegitimate children in wealthy families was hardly surprising.

But if that were the case, the idealized image she had of Mason Lawson would be shattered.

It was like discovering that a respected and trusted elder had done something immoral and unethical.

"What are you spacing out for?" Mason Lawson tapped the table with the tip of his long index finger. "Don’t dawdle. I have a video conference later tonight."

The thought that he might have an illegitimate daughter somewhere suddenly made Eve Vaughn lose her appetite.

"I’m full. Let’s go back."

She stood up first, looking a little dejected.

Mason Lawson paid the bill, and they walked out of the restaurant together.

The driver had already pulled the car up to the entrance to wait.

On the way, Mason Lawson noticed the young woman beside him was quiet, and he assumed Eve Vaughn was still upset about the ’luxury car incident.’

After all, the whole thing had started because of him.

He couldn’t help but reach out and gently stroke her soft hair. "Go to school tomorrow as usual," he said. "No one will dare to give you a hard time."

...

That same evening, Mrs. Lawson, Autumn Woods, was stunned when she received a call from Director Sawyer.

"What did you say?" Autumn Woods’s voice rose several pitches. "You’re saying Eve Vaughn’s sugar daddy showed up in person? Without even trying to avoid suspicion?"

Director Sawyer said emphatically, "Yes! You have no idea how brazen that man was! He came and went straight to the president, didn’t even waste a second on us! From the looks of it, he’s much older than Eve Vaughn, but he’s definitely not her parent. If her family was that rich, would she even need financial aid?"

But now the plan had backfired, and he’d even offended the president!

Autumn Woods hadn’t expected Jonah Spencer to actually show up in person to smooth things over for Eve Vaughn.

When Charlotte Vaughn had told her about it yesterday, she’d assumed Jonah Spencer was just toying with Eve Vaughn at most.

How could a man of his status and position possibly show up in person and admit to messing around with a college student?

She asked sinisterly, "So what now? Did he take Eve Vaughn with him?"

Director Sawyer sighed heavily. "Took her away ages ago! And I have no idea what he said to the president, but the president completely blew his top! I’ll probably be in deep trouble tomorrow!"

Autumn Woods said consolingly, "Sawyer, I’m sorry to have caused you so much trouble this time. But rest assured, my husband is well aware of the matter concerning your wife’s promotion to Marketing Manager at the branch company. It will happen by the end of this year at the latest."

Hearing this, Director Sawyer immediately beamed. "Oh, it’s no trouble at all! You’re being too kind!"

After hanging up, Autumn Woods’s expression was grim, her thoughts in a tangle.

After all, she had set such an elaborate trap for Eve Vaughn. If that girl had found a backer like Jonah Spencer, she was surely planning to get revenge on them.

’I absolutely cannot let that happen!’

’The best way is to nip her plan in the bud—or better yet, drive her out of Rivaster completely.’

Just then, she looked up and realized Julian Lawson was standing in the living room doorway, staring at her.

Autumn Woods’s heart skipped a beat. She said nervously, "Ju... Julian, when did you get back?"

"Mom, who were you just on the phone with?" Julian Lawson walked over and asked, "Why did you keep mentioning Eve Vaughn?"

Autumn Woods felt a pang of guilt and said evasively, "Why are you worried about that? Eve Vaughn is ancient history for you! By the way, didn’t you go with Charlotte to try on wedding jewelry today? How did it go?"

"Don’t change the subject. I just want to know what that phone call had to do with Eve Vaughn. You’re not scheming against her behind her back, are you?"

Julian Lawson pressed on relentlessly.

Her sore spot having been hit, Autumn Woods said sternly, "Are you interrogating a criminal? Let me remind you, I am your mother! Yes, I am going after Eve Vaughn. So what? She abandoned you and ran off when you were critically ill. Can’t I even get a little payback for my own son?"

By the end, Mrs. Lawson’s expression had changed completely. Looking as though she had been deeply wronged, she said with reddened eyes, "I truly regret having such an indecisive son! Eve Vaughn screwed you over so badly, and yet you’re still so concerned about her. Don’t forget, it was Charlotte who saved your life!"

As soon as his mother threw a fit, Julian Lawson’s resolve softened. "Mom, don’t be angry. That’s not what I meant. Of course I know Charlotte saved my life, and I’ll spend the rest of my life treating her well. As for Eve Vaughn... I haven’t had any feelings for her for a long time."

Autumn Woods nodded in satisfaction. "Now that’s my good boy! Don’t you worry about Eve Vaughn. Mom already knows about that woman’s sordid relationship with Jonah Spencer. People like her are the scum of the university! It would be better to just kick her out of school! The one thing I despise most is a young female student who becomes someone’s mistress!"

The word "mistress" stirred a mix of complicated feelings in Julian Lawson, but he didn’t dare show any emotion, afraid his mother would misunderstand and think he was still hung up on Eve Vaughn.

"Alright, go get some rest."

Mrs. Lawson added a warning, "What you should be doing now is focusing on your wedding preparations with Charlotte. Leave all the other messy business to me."

Julian Lawson knew what his mother was referring to. He wanted to speak up for Eve Vaughn, but when he met his mother’s stern gaze, he didn’t dare say a word and silently headed upstairs.

Seeing her son go back to his room, Mrs. Lawson immediately relayed this news to the Vaughns.

Jason Vaughn and Lana Chambers were thrown into a complete panic, feeling as if they were about to lose their villa.

With Jonah Spencer’s level of influence, he could even get the president of Rivaster University to act. Helping Eve Vaughn file a lawsuit to kick them out of the villa would be child’s play for him, wouldn’t it?

Mrs. Lawson said, displeased, "Why are you two so flustered? Since Jonah Spencer is brazen enough to openly protect Eve Vaughn, then you, in your capacity as her guardians, can use this affair as leverage to force him to drop any lawsuit against you! Don’t forget, he’s a famous lawyer in Rivaster, a quasi-public figure. People like him fear damage to their reputation more than anything."