In response to The Third Madam’s anxiety, Joanna Sullivan gently said, "Doesn’t this just prove that Mason is a loyal and filial son? Aunt, even though Mason isn’t your biological son, he was injured protecting the Old Master this time. The Old Master will surely give him credit for that. If Mason does well, you do well. We’re all in the same boat."

The Third Madam let out a heavy sigh. "That’s exactly why I want him to be okay. Who knew he wouldn’t take care of himself? On a cold day like this, right after surgery, what is he doing running around outside? I haven’t been very fortunate in this life. I wasn’t able to give the Old Master a son to inherit the family business. I... I’m pinning all my hopes on Mason!"

"Aunt, there’s something I’m not sure if I should tell you," Joanna Sullivan said, glancing at The Third Madam before trailing off hesitantly.

The Third Madam said, "What could there be that you can’t say to me? I’ve always treated you like my own daughter. Whatever it is, just say it!"

Joanna Sullivan said pointedly, "I think I might know where Mason went."

The Third Madam pressed her eagerly. "Tell me. I want to know too. Why would he rush out so late at night?"

Joanna Sullivan began slowly, "Mason is getting very involved with some young girl right now. I heard... she’s Julian Lawson’s ex-girlfriend."

The Third Madam’s face went pale. "What did you say? Julian Lawson’s ex-girlfriend? You mean the girl who ran off and hid abroad when Julian got sick, the one who didn’t dare show her face?"

Joanna Sullivan nodded firmly. "That’s the one. After she and Julian Lawson broke up, I don’t know what her game is. She’s a full ten years younger than Mason, and he won’t even publicly acknowledge her, but she still shamelessly pesters him."

The more she listened, the angrier The Third Madam became. "Why didn’t you tell me sooner?" she snapped. "My god, to think Mason is involved with a woman like that! She ran off the second Julian Lawson got sick—she’s clearly bad news! I bet she’s only with Mason now because she knows it’s over with Julian and wants to latch onto another powerful connection. If the Old Master finds out, or if this gets out to the public, what will happen to Mason’s reputation? What about his inheritance?!"

Joanna Sullivan watched her aunt’s livid face and said nothing.

After a long moment of thought, The Third Madam sucked in a sharp breath and shook her head. "I can’t believe it. I was only abroad with the Old Master for his treatment for six months, and so much has happened. This won’t do. When Mason gets here, I have to have a serious talk with him. He needs to break things off with that girl immediately."

Joanna Sullivan glanced at the time, figuring Mason Lawson would be back soon. Not wanting him to find out that she was the one who had been whispering in The Third Madam’s ear, she said, "Aunt, I should probably go. Mason has been giving me the cold shoulder lately. That girl even looks a little like me... he’s probably just using her as my substitute. Please, don’t let him know I’m the one who told you this. He’ll only get even angrier with me."

The Third Madam took her hand and said with deep earnestness, "I always thought you and Mason were the perfect match. If you two had gotten married, it would have made our family ties even stronger."

After all, The Third Madam and Joanna Sullivan were, at the very least, blood relatives, whereas she shared no blood ties with Mason Lawson whatsoever.

Even though she was Mason’s mother in name, her position was never truly secure.

If Joanna Sullivan married Mason Lawson, then her own future status would finally be guaranteed.

That was why, even though Joanna Sullivan had broken off their engagement and fled across the ocean for her dance career, causing Mason Lawson tremendous humiliation, The Third Madam still ultimately sided with her own kin.

"Joanna, don’t you worry. As long as I’m here, the title of Mrs. Mason Lawson belongs to you and no one else!"

The Third Madam urged her, "You mustn’t lose heart. Mason’s just confused right now. Getting mixed up with that little vixen—what future is there in that? Here, you head back first. I’ll have a good talk with Mason when the time is right."

After all, she had raised him for over twenty years. Mason had always been respectful toward her as his mother.

Her words still carried some weight with him.

To prevent Mason Lawson from blaming Joanna Sullivan for being the one to tell her, The Third Madam had her leave first.

However, the black fish soup Joanna had prepared was left behind.

Not long after, Mason Lawson returned.

Seeing her son, The Third Madam hurried over to him, chiding, "You’re finally back! Look at the time, do you know how late it is?"

Mason Lawson glanced at the clock on the wall. It was exactly eleven o’clock.

He said to his mother, "You’re usually asleep by now. You don’t have to wait up for me. I know my own condition."

Seeing him being evasive, The Third Madam produced a thermos. "Look. Joanna came by earlier specifically to bring you some black fish soup. She said it would be good for your injuries. But you weren’t here, so you let her kind gesture go to waste."

Mason Lawson frowned. "I don’t like fish soup. You should take it back with you."

"Well..." The Third Madam said pointedly, "I don’t think it’s the soup you dislike. It’s the person who made it, isn’t it?" 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Mason Lawson wearily took off his coat and sat on the sofa. "What are you trying to say?"

The Third Madam walked over to him and asked in a low, serious voice, "Tell me the truth. Are you involved with Julian Lawson’s ex-girlfriend?"

Mason Lawson replied, calm and composed, "Do you have any idea how much trouble it would cause me if Father heard you saying things like that?"

This only made The Third Madam more anxious. "That’s why I came to ask you about it myself!"

Mason still didn’t answer her directly. Instead, he said nonchalantly, "In my opinion, you shouldn’t even be asking. No one else is trying to pin this label on me, yet here you are, the first to do so. Are you hoping Father will find out? Or perhaps the main branch of the family?"

His words left The Third Madam utterly confused. So was it true or not? Mason wasn’t giving her a straight answer.

"Mason, I’m your mother! I’m the one who raised you since you were just a baby in diapers. I would never harm you! Since you won’t talk, I won’t force you. But I have to remind you: your father values the Lawson family’s reputation above all else. If you really get tangled up with a woman Julian cast aside, then our branch of the family is finished!"