Just then, his secretary knocked on the door and said, "President Lawson, the Vice President and his wife are here."

The Vice President he referred to was Ethan Lawson, Mason Lawson’s older brother and Julian Lawson’s father.

Mason Lawson knew exactly why they had come. He placed the burner phone he used to text Eve Vaughn into his office drawer and said, "Let them in."

Soon, Ethan Lawson entered with his wife.

Mason had never been one to coddle them. Ever since Ethan had been caught embezzling company assets years ago, Mason had kept him firmly under his thumb.

He remained seated, speaking slowly. "Ethan, Autumn, it’s working hours. If you have something to say, make it quick. I have a meeting in ten minutes."

Mrs. Lawson, Autumn Woods, was the first to speak. "Mason, what is the meaning of this? Why spring a prenuptial agreement out of nowhere? Aren’t you just insulting Charlotte? The girl was willing to give Julian half her liver when his life was on the line! Do you really think she’s after the Lawson family’s fortune?"

"Does she even need me to insult her?" A trace of contempt flickered in Mason Lawson’s narrow eyes. "Autumn, you and I both know the truth about Julian’s liver transplant and who the real donor was. For a family of upstarts like the Vaughns to use such a bait-and-switch to marry in, it’s hard for me not to question their motives."

The color drained from Autumn Woods’s face. She was terrified Mason would expose the truth about the liver donation.

Ethan Lawson, however, put on the air of an older brother and snapped, "Julian is the one getting married! I don’t understand why you insist on making things difficult for us. Whether or not they sign a prenup is our family’s business. Aren’t you overstepping your bounds?"

Mason’s gaze grew even more suspicious. His brother and sister-in-law knew full well that Eve Vaughn was the one who had donated her liver to Julian. Yet they had pulled a bait-and-switch, giving the credit to Charlotte Vaughn.

Even after all his years navigating the treacherous business world and seeing through countless schemes, he simply couldn’t comprehend what Ethan and his wife were doing.

After all, the only way for their branch of the family to stage a comeback was through a strategic marriage alliance.

Mason felt it would have been understandable if they had pinned the credit for the liver donation on the heiress of a prominent family on par with the Lawsons.

But instead, they chose Charlotte Vaughn—a woman who couldn’t compare to Eve Vaughn in looks or education, and whose family background wasn’t even good enough to get a foot in the Lawson family’s door.

Moreover, this notarized prenuptial agreement was clearly advantageous to them, yet they were opposing it so vehemently.

Why? Mason truly couldn’t figure it out.

Autumn Woods’s scalp tingled under Mason’s stare, and she felt incredibly guilty. She quickly shot her husband a look. Ethan mustered some courage and said, "Mason, when our Julian gets married, it’s natural for us, his parents, to handle the arrangements. We won’t trouble you with it. As for the prenup, we still feel it’s inappropriate."

"Inappropriate how?" Mason leaned back in his chair, tilting his chin up. "Give me a reason, and I might consider it. Otherwise, when the Lawson family’s assets and interests are at stake, I can’t just stand by."

In the end, Autumn Woods and Ethan Lawson couldn’t provide a coherent reason and left Mason’s office, dejected.

...

That weekend, Eve Vaughn took the tens of thousands she had earned from selling the necklace and went to a well-known law firm in Rivaster.

Every night before bed, she prayed silently for the businessman who was sponsoring her, filled with gratitude each day.

If that "uncle" hadn’t helped her handle her mother’s medical bills and her tuition, how could she have saved up this much money to hire a lawyer?

These past few days, her phone had been blowing up with calls from her aunt and uncle. It was probably about getting her to transfer ownership of the villa.

They would never guess that I’ve already started looking for a lawyer, she thought.

However, just as she entered the law firm, Eve Vaughn ran smack into the two people she wanted to see least.

The firm had six elevators, and there they were, standing right next to her, waiting for one.

At first, Charlotte Vaughn was so engrossed in complaining to Julian Lawson about the notarized prenup that she didn’t notice Eve at all.

"Julian, what on earth does your uncle mean by this? Does he really think I’m only marrying you for the Lawson family’s shares and fortune? Even your parents didn’t bring up a prenup, so what right does he have to interfere?"

Julian Lawson sighed, comforting his fiancée. "You don’t understand. Right now, with my grandfather recovering abroad, my uncle calls all the shots, both at the company and at home. He’s always been ruthless in his methods, never giving his opponents a single opening. Back then, my dad was too soft-hearted, and that’s why he’s a defeated man now, completely crushed under my uncle’s thumb."

Charlotte Vaughn had hoped this marriage would be her ticket to a higher social class. But she never expected Mason Lawson to be so thorough. Even if she married into the Lawson family, she would have the title of Mrs. Lawson in name only!

Charlotte still didn’t want to go through with the notarization and wanted to make one last attempt. She took Julian’s arm and whined, "Julian, can’t you please talk to your uncle again? I’m marrying you because I love you! Otherwise, I wouldn’t have risked my life to donate my liver to you. If I’m willing to give you my life, would I really be after your money?"

"Charlotte, please don’t make things difficult for me. If my parents can’t even overrule him on this, what makes you think I can?" Julian looked troubled. "My uncle said that if we want to get married, this notarization is mandatory."

Charlotte finally gave up hope. She didn’t press the issue any further, lest she end up losing both the man and the money.

Just then, they noticed Eve Vaughn. She was in a good mood today, dressed in a beige knit dress with a khaki belt that accentuated her slender waist. Her legs were pale and straight, and her whole being seemed to glow.

Julian was visibly stunned for a moment, his gaze fixed on Eve, looking somewhat dazed.

The moment Charlotte saw her, she sneered, "Eve, what are you doing here? Don’t tell me you’ve gotten yourself into some legal trouble."

Eve calmly turned her face to them, smiled, and said, "Is that any of your business? In any case, I’m not here for a prenuptial agreement."