Eve Vaughn’s heart skipped a beat. She whispered, "But I... I’ve only ever thought of you as a senior."

The haze and lust in Mason Lawson’s eyes gradually faded, replaced by his usual cold indifference. "Get some rest," he said faintly, then left the room.

Eve Vaughn clutched her chest, gasping for air. It felt like she’d just had a narrow escape. She could still feel the heat in her cheeks, and her heart was hammering against her ribs.

He must have been thinking of his first love again, she thought. We look so much alike... that must be why he almost did that to me.

Eve Vaughn silently resolved. Looks like she has to get out of here first thing tomorrow morning. She had to avoid another close call like the one that had just happened.

...

The next morning at the dining table, Mason Lawson sat at the head and said to Mrs. Linton, "Go call Eve Vaughn down for breakfast."

"Yes, Mr. Lawson."

Having received her instructions, Mrs. Linton hurried upstairs. Not long after, she returned, saying nervously, "Miss Vaughn seems to have a fever. I touched her forehead, and it’s burning up." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Mason Lawson stood up and went to Eve Vaughn’s room. He reached out to feel her forehead. It was scorching. Even her cheeks were flushed red.

Mason Lawson told Mrs. Linton to get a thermometer while he made a call to the doctor.

When Hamilton Hale arrived at Mason Lawson’s house carrying his medical bag, he was full of complaints.

"I finally get one day off—no surgeries, no consultations, no lectures—and you, of course, have to find something for me to do!"

He looked at Mason Lawson in confusion. "You seem fine to me. You certainly don’t look like you have a high fever."

"It’s not me." Mason Lawson led him to the guest room, gestured to the unconscious Eve Vaughn on the bed, and said, "It’s her!"

Hamilton Hale was stunned for a second, then he exclaimed, "Mason, not bad! Started keeping a girl stashed away in your love nest? And you didn’t even give the rest of us a heads-up in the group chat!"

At this, he chuckled. "No wonder you were completely silent yesterday when that Eric Kendall was going on about women in the group chat! Turns out you were in your own little paradise, too busy to bother with us."

Mason Lawson coughed awkwardly. "Cut the crap and take a look at her. Is it serious? Does she need to be hospitalized?"

"Unbelievable," Hamilton Hale muttered as he took out his stethoscope. "Making a distinguished cardiology professor like me come and see a patient for something any walk-in clinic could handle."

As he spoke, he pulled back the blanket, only to find the young woman was wearing one of Mason Lawson’s shirts.

Because Mason Lawson was a big guy, the shirt was like a bathrobe on her small frame, covering her up completely.

Hamilton Hale shot Mason Lawson a knowing smile, his eyes narrowing. "She’s so young. You actually made a move on her? Don’t tell me you wore her out and gave her this fever."

"Bullshit!" Mason Lawson explained irritably, "She got caught in the rain last night."

Hamilton Hale felt Eve Vaughn’s forehead. It was definitely burning up. His teasing expression vanished, replaced by a professional demeanor. He used the stethoscope to listen to her heart and lungs.

Afterward, he put the stethoscope away. "She’s okay. Her lungs are clear, and her heart is fine. I’ll give her a shot to bring the fever down, then prescribe some oral medication. Make sure she takes it on schedule."

Just then, the young woman on the bed began to mumble something in her sleep.

Mason Lawson and Hamilton Hale both looked over. Listening closely, they could hear her calling out Julian Lawson’s name.

"Julian... listen to me..." In her delirious state, Eve Vaughn seemed to be dreaming, muttering nonstop, "It was me, not Charlotte Vaughn! Why... Why didn’t you believe me?"

Mason Lawson’s expression darkened. His thin lips pressed into a tight line, his thoughts unreadable.

Hamilton Hale, on the other hand, looked as if he’d discovered a massive secret. He asked in disbelief, "Don’t tell me she’s the girl Eric Kendall was posting about in the group chat last night."

Mason Lawson didn’t deny it. Instead, he said through gritted teeth, "If you dare tell anyone about this, you’re dead."

Hamilton Hale was one of his closest friends, so naturally, he wasn’t scared by the threat. He asked, completely baffled, "I really don’t get you! Are you just messing around, or are you serious about her? You know what they say, don’t fish off your own pier."

Mason Lawson’s face was grim. He enunciated each word carefully. "You’re reading too much into it. I just felt sorry for her and let her stay the night, that’s all."

"Yeah, right. You’re that kind-hearted?" Hamilton Hale couldn’t help but laugh. "Others might not know you, but don’t I? Looks like your taste has changed. But man, this girl looks really young."

Mason Lawson snorted. "She’ll grow up."