Hamilton Hale was touched by the sincere and determined look in Eve Vaughn’s eyes. He hadn’t expected a girl so young to possess such a strong will—to disregard everything for the person she loved.

He had originally planned to send Eve Vaughn away. He was afraid the Lawsons would hurt her and that if Old Mr. Lawson learned anything, it would cause trouble for Mason Lawson in the inheritance dispute.

But now, he suddenly couldn’t bear to let her just walk away.

He could see that Eve Vaughn loved Mason Lawson deeply. At the very least, she wasn’t like Joanna Sullivan, who had left Mason Lawson to face the mess alone at the most critical time.

’If she leaves like this, without even seeing Mason, how heartbroken will she be?’

Eve Vaughn opened the door and was about to leave when Hamilton Hale called out to her.

"Wait."

Hamilton Hale seemed to have made a decision. He said to her, "How about this: you hide out here for a bit. Once the Lawsons have all left, I’ll take you to see Mason."

Eve Vaughn forced a smile, but her eyes were clearly red-rimmed.

She thanked him sincerely. "Doctor Hale, thank you. But since he doesn’t want his family to know I exist, I won’t cause him any trouble. As long as his life isn’t in danger and he’s okay, that’s all that matters."

Despite her immense worry, Eve Vaughn didn’t stay, terrified of causing any trouble for Mason Lawson.

After all, she could imagine just how difficult it must be to navigate and survive within a powerful, complex clan like the Lawson Family.

’Mason has been so good to me and helped me so much. How can I still be so willful?’

In that instant, it was as if Eve Vaughn had come to an understanding. She buried all her grievances in her heart and left the hospital.

...

In the dorm room. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Eve Vaughn sat quietly on her bed. From morning till dusk, her mind was filled with nothing but Mason Lawson.

She was suddenly filled with regret. ’I shouldn’t have been so difficult with him before. Is he still angry with me?’

’Or... has he gotten back together with Joanna Sullivan? Does he not need me anymore?’

Just then, Aria returned from outside. Eve Vaughn quickly wiped her teary eyes and pretended everything was fine, lying on her bed and looking at her phone.

"Evie, don’t tell me you slept in the dorm all afternoon?"

Aria patted her bed, her tone cheerful. "It’s snowing outside! The first snow of the year!"

Eve Vaughn sniffled and gave a self-deprecating smile. "No wonder it’s so cold."

So, it was snowing.

Aria didn’t catch the sob in her voice and thought she had a cold. "By the way, Todd Hayes and I are going for hot pot in a bit. Want to come with us?"

A pang of envy hit Eve Vaughn, but she shook her head. "You guys go ahead. I’m not feeling well today, so I don’t want to go out."

Aria asked with concern, "Are you okay? Do you have a fever?"

Eve Vaughn snuggled into her blankets and said, "I’m fine, probably just caught a bit of a chill. Don’t worry about me, go have a good time on your date with Todd Hayes!"

At the mention of Todd Hayes, a bright smile spread across Aria’s face. "Alright then, I’m off!"

After Aria left, the dorm room fell silent again, leaving Eve Vaughn all alone.

She forced herself to close her eyes and try to sleep. ’Tomorrow, everything will be better.’

But she couldn’t sleep. Below her dorm, many people were out enjoying the snow, and couples were on dates.

The livelier it was outside, the colder her heart felt.

Eve Vaughn pulled the blankets tighter around herself and drifted into a groggy sleep.

In her sleep, she heard her phone ringing.

With her eyes still closed, she lazily answered the phone. "Hello, who is this?"

A man’s hoarse, deep voice came from the other end. "Resting so early?"

Eve Vaughn was instantly wide awake. Hearing that familiar voice, she nearly burst into tears. "Mason..."

That single word held all of her sorrow and longing.

She was just about to ask how he was doing, if he was okay.

But before she could speak, Mason Lawson said to her, "Put on some warm clothes and come down."

"Come... down?"

Eve Vaughn was stunned. She asked in disbelief, "You’re at my school? Weren’t you shot this afternoon?"

Mason Lawson chuckled. "Hamilton Hale told me a certain young lady was crying her eyes out, so I came over to let you see for yourself that I’m still alive and kicking."

While still on the phone with him, Eve Vaughn quickly scrambled out of bed to change her clothes.

Her heart had already flown to him, unable to wait a moment longer.

Downstairs from the dorm, Neil Kane was waiting for her.

"Miss Vaughn, Mr. Lawson was injured this afternoon and is running a low-grade fever, so he’s waiting for you in the car. He asked me to come get you."

Eve Vaughn nodded vigorously to show she understood. After all, it was freezing cold and still snowing outside.

And so, she followed Neil Kane to a Lincoln parked on the side of the road.

The driver and bodyguards had gotten out of the car and were standing guard outside.

The moment Eve Vaughn climbed inside, before she could even get a good look at him, he pulled her into his embrace and pressed his lips firmly against hers.

His lips were warm, as if carrying an electric current, as they moved over hers, again and again. It was as if he was trying to hold back, yet was filled with an overwhelming desire.