Julian Lawson trembled with rage, grinding his back teeth.

Before, he never would have believed Eve Vaughn was capable of something like this.

But now? First, she had abandoned him when he was gravely ill. Then, she had driven Charlotte Vaughn and her family out of their home. She had even hurled insults at him.

’What wouldn’t a woman like that do?’

’The Eve Vaughn from before was long gone, never to return!’

The thought of Eve Vaughn trying to seduce his own uncle—of having to call her ’Little Aunt’ in the Lawson Family home in the future—made Julian Lawson’s skin crawl.

Seeing this, the Third Madam asked with feigned concern, "Julian, are you all right? Why do you look so pale? Ai, I suppose I shouldn’t have said anything. Anyway, she’s just an ex-girlfriend, so it doesn’t matter! But you absolutely cannot let your grandfather find out about this. After all, he values the family’s reputation above all else. And since Eve Vaughn was with you once, this whole thing can be traced back to you. If your grandfather were to find out, I’m afraid..." 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Julian Lawson was terrified. He even pleaded with the Third Madam, "Third Madam, I’m begging you, please keep this a secret for me. Please, please don’t tell Grandpa. I’ll find a way to thank you in the future."

Seeing how easy Julian Lawson was to manipulate, the Third Madam could already foresee the first branch’s fate. ’With a son like this, how could they possibly hope to make a comeback?’

’And he wanted to compete with Mason Lawson?’

’In his dreams!’

On the surface, she agreed with a smile. "Don’t worry. Old Mr. Lawson is getting on in years, and I’d hate for him to have a heart attack from the shock. I would never do anything to harm the Lawson Family."

Ever since the Third Madam had told him, a thorn had been planted in Julian Lawson’s heart. He had to find Eve Vaughn and demand an explanation!

Julian had planned to go to Eve Vaughn’s school to find her right after visiting Mason Lawson.

Unexpectedly, however, his father called and told him to go to Calypsos on a business trip. It was a golden opportunity. If he could secure the deal in Calypsos, Julian Lawson would make a name for himself with the company’s shareholders, drawing their attention to him as a rising star.

In order to revive his branch of the family, Julian had no choice but to temporarily put the matter with Eve Vaughn aside and go to Calypsos for the trip.

...

For the next few days, the Third Madam visited Mason Lawson in the hospital daily to prevent Eve Vaughn from slipping in again disguised as a nurse.

And so, right up until Mason Lawson was discharged, he and Eve Vaughn couldn’t see each other again. Their only contact was through daily video calls and text messages.

Moreover, Old Mr. Lawson had now returned to the country, and all the Lawsons were required to move back into the old Lawson Family residence.

Because of this, even if Eve Vaughn went to The Sovereign Pearl, she wouldn’t be able to see Mason Lawson.

It had been three days since Mason Lawson was discharged. If it weren’t for the good morning and good night texts he sent her every day, Eve Vaughn would have thought he’d gone completely off the grid.

Even though Eve Vaughn missed him dearly, as long as she knew she was in his heart and that he was all right, she could focus on her classes and studies in peace.

That evening, Eve Vaughn was in her dorm room memorizing English vocabulary when a sleepy Aria climbed into bed.

"Evie, stop studying. Let’s turn off the lights."

Aria yawned and said, "The sound of you flipping pages is keeping me awake. It’s already nine o’clock, anyway. You can look at it tomorrow!"

Eve Vaughn glanced at the empty bed nearby. "If we both go to sleep, who’s going to open the door for Nina Steele when she gets back?"

Aria couldn’t help but complain, "Honestly, that Nina. She comes back right at curfew every single night, making us get the door for her."

"Try to be more understanding. Isn’t her family having financial trouble? She has to work on top of her classes. It must be tough."

Just as they were talking, Nina Steele returned.

The moment she walked in, she said, "Eve Vaughn, there’s someone downstairs looking for you. A man. I happened to see him talking to the dorm manager just now. The manager asked me to come up and tell you. He said his name is Mason Lawson."

As soon as Nina Steele finished speaking, Eve Vaughn shot to her feet, a smile instantly blooming on her face.

"Thank you, Nina."

Eve Vaughn said her thanks and rushed out, her heart overflowing with an excitement she couldn’t hide.

Aria repeated the name, then asked Nina curiously, "Is that Evie’s boyfriend? Did you see him? Is he handsome?"

Nina Steele thought for a moment, then nodded. "Quite handsome."

’But I seem to remember that at the hot pot restaurant last time, Eve Vaughn was definitely with a different man, wasn’t she?’

’Did she get a new boyfriend?’

...

Eve Vaughn assumed Mason Lawson had been deliberately staying away for a few days to surprise her, choosing this exact moment to suddenly appear.

And so, she practically jogged all the way downstairs, giddy with excitement.

It wasn’t until she was outside the dormitory building that she realized the person standing before her was not Mason Lawson.

"You?" A fleeting trace of disappointment flickered in Eve Vaughn’s eyes, quickly replaced by anger. "Julian Lawson, what is wrong with you?"

The muscles around Julian Lawson’s mouth twitched as he bit out each word. "What’s wrong with me, or what’s wrong with you? Eve Vaughn! You’ve really got some nerve. You really have started seducing my uncle. At this hour, you came right down the second you heard his name. Heh. I don’t even need to spell out what kind of relationship you two have, do I?"

Eve Vaughn’s heart leaped into her throat, and she felt an inexplicable sense of guilt.

She had no idea how Julian Lawson had found out.

And she never expected he would actually use Mason Lawson’s name to trick her into coming down.

Faced with Eve Vaughn’s silence, Julian Lawson asked through gritted teeth, "Nothing to say? Eve Vaughn, I always knew you were despicable and selfish! But I never imagined you were so cheap you’d actually seduce my uncle! Do you think the gates of the Lawson Family are open to just anyone?"

Eve Vaughn finally snapped. "Julian Lawson, you’d better watch your mouth! I couldn’t care less about the gates of your Lawson Family. But if there ever comes a day when I can make you respectfully call me ’Little Aunt,’ well, I might just be willing to give it a try."

"In your dreams!"

Julian Lawson suddenly strode forward and grabbed her wrist. "Eve Vaughn, you listen to me. Stop trying to seduce my uncle. With just a flick of his finger, he could make you disappear without a trace! You’d better believe me."

Eve Vaughn flashed a smile designed to infuriate. "Oh, really? But you know, I find your uncle to be much more gentle and considerate than you. Not to mention more charming, more substantive... more of a man!"

A fire sparked in Julian Lawson’s eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a sneer. "Heh, you don’t have to try and provoke me. My uncle would never be interested in someone like you. The Third Madam already told me. You’re the one trying everything you can to seduce him, but he won’t even give you the time of day. You probably have no idea how outstanding his ex-girlfriend was, do you? Her family background, her talents, her abilities..."

Every one of Julian Lawson’s words struck the most sensitive spot in Eve Vaughn’s heart.

It was true. Joanna Sullivan was better than her in every way, from her family background to her career.

Her eyes red, she glared at Julian Lawson with hatred. "I don’t need you to remind me. Just worry about yourself! And don’t you ever come looking for me again. I don’t want to see your disgusting face ever again!"

With that, Eve Vaughn turned and hurried back toward the dormitory building.

"Stop right there!"

Julian Lawson wasn’t finished talking and certainly wasn’t going to let her leave, so he chased after her.

Unfortunately, he was a step too late. Eve Vaughn was already inside the dorm building, and Julian was blocked from entering.

Back in the dorm room, Eve Vaughn’s expression was grim.

She already felt insecure after not seeing Mason Lawson for several days.

And now, Julian Lawson had shown up and spouted all that nonsense.

Aria, still not clear on the situation, asked gossipily, "Evie, your boyfriend came all the way here so late at night. He’s really devoted to you."

Eve Vaughn didn’t respond, simply saying, "I’m going to go wash up. I’m a little tired."

Just then, Julian Lawson’s furious roar echoed from downstairs. "Eve Vaughn, get down here!"

He shouted her name over and over again below her dormitory window, each cry louder than the last.

Hearing him, Eve Vaughn rushed to the balcony.

At the same time, Aria and Nina Steele climbed out of their beds and joined her on the balcony.

"Oh my god, Evie, what’s with your boyfriend?" Aria looked at Eve with concern. "Did you two have a fight?"

Even Nina Steele, who was usually reserved, frowned. "Even if you’re fighting, he shouldn’t act like this, right? This is so embarrassing. How is Eve Vaughn supposed to show her face after this?"

Aria urged her, "Evie, hurry up and go down there. Make him stop shouting. Look, all the other dorms have people on their balconies watching. If this keeps up, you’ll be famous all over campus tomorrow."

Eve Vaughn knew Julian Lawson was just acting out of desperation, trying to force her out with this tactic.

But she didn’t want to waste a single word on him. There was nothing left for them to say.

Eve Vaughn turned and went back inside, telling her roommates, "Don’t worry about him. If he keeps shouting, campus security will get rid of him."

Aria and Nina Steele exchanged a silent look, unsure of how to resolve the situation.

All they could do was let Julian Lawson keep shouting.

Before long, there was a knock at their dorm room door.

The dorm manager was pounding on the door. "Eve Vaughn, come out quick! Something’s happened to your boyfriend!"