In response to Eric Kendall’s question, Regina Shaw said, "What else would it be?"

The group was left speechless. So after all that, they had just been imagining things. It wasn’t a case of unrequited love; neither of them had any interest in the other.

They were just two workaholics, and the female one simply admired the male one’s work ethic. That was all.

How anticlimactic!

Eric Kendall waved his hand dismissively. "Well, there’s nothing more to talk about, then. Let’s break it up! We’re about to play mahjong. We’ve got just enough for a game. Do you girls want to join?"

Mia Kendall and Regina Shaw had absolutely no interest in playing mahjong, and Eve Vaughn even less so.

"Let’s go to the stables, then," Mia suggested.

Eric had done a decent job teaching her last time, so now Mia was eager to give it a try and ride by herself.

Eric didn’t forget to remind her, "Be careful. Wear your helmet, and don’t get cocky."

Mia looked back, smiled at him, and said, "I know!"

She didn’t even realize how sweetly she had just smiled at Eric.

Jonah Spencer, however, quietly asked Eric, "That’s weird. When did you and your sister get on such good terms? People who know you know you’re siblings, but anyone who doesn’t might think you’re... something else. I remember you used to despise her."

Eric curled his lip nonchalantly and said darkly, "It’s still the same now."

Mia, meanwhile, was happily telling Regina Shaw how great the stables were.

If she had the ability to see the future, she might have realized that this period was the happiest time of her life.

With Eric’s support, her career was finally taking off. Her life was no longer as dull as before; Eric would often find fun places to take her. Plus, she had made a new friend in Regina Shaw.

Mia had always believed that life could stay this carefree forever.

Regina Shaw’s interest was piqued at the mention of horseback riding. "Perfect, I haven’t ridden in ages. I’ll go too!"

Eve Vaughn didn’t know how to ride a horse. Plus, she was still brooding over Mason Lawson’s answer about marriage during the drive over, so she wasn’t in the mood.

"You guys go ahead. I’m exhausted from studying for my exams lately, so I want to go back to my room and rest for a bit."

With that, she turned and walked away.

Watching her receding figure, Mia asked, "What’s wrong with Evie? She seems upset."

"It’s all my fault!" Regina Shaw said, blaming herself. "I asked Mason Lawson about marriage on the way over. I was just thinking that Evie can’t keep following him around in this ambiguous relationship, so I asked."

Mia asked curiously, "So what did Mason Lawson say?"

Regina Shaw snorted in frustration. "What else could he say? He just dodged the question! A slick guy like him isn’t going to come right out and say he won’t marry Evie. But if he had any intention of marrying her, he wouldn’t have avoided my question, don’t you think?"

The topic infuriated Mia. "I saw it from a mile away! Not only is he a cradle robber, but he also doesn’t want to take responsibility! But Evie has fallen head over heels, and I can’t talk her out of it!"

Regina said sympathetically, "Evie probably understood what Mason Lawson was implying today, which is why she’s upset. But in the end, I’m the one who caused it. If I had known, I wouldn’t have asked!"

...

Meanwhile, Eve Vaughn sat listlessly on the bed in her room and idly turned on the television.

Mason Lawson’s words from the drive, and even his expression, felt as if they were etched into her mind.

’I’ve known all along that Mason will probably marry a woman of suitable family background in the future.’

’I was mentally prepared for that.’

’But when I heard him say he had no intention of marrying me, I was still so crestfallen.’

’So crestfallen that I just wanted to be alone, without talking to anyone or hanging out with my friends.’

Just then, the channel switched to a variety show, and a familiar face made Eve stop flipping through the channels.

It was a dance competition show, and of the five judges on the panel, the one sitting in the center seat was none other than Joanna Sullivan.

On television, she looked sharp and poised, treating the contestants with a gentle patience that made her seem like a completely different person from the sharp-tongued, scheming woman Eve had met.

One contestant finished her routine and tearfully explained that the dance was for her first love. After they had broken up recently, she had become so despondent that she’d even contemplated suicide; it was dancing that had given her a new reason to live.

Although the story was moving, the contestant’s dancing wasn’t very good. Even Eve, a total amateur, could see that her movements were stiff and awkward.

The other four judges voted no, but Joanna Sullivan was the only one who voted to pass her.

The host then asked Joanna Sullivan to explain her reason for giving the contestant a pass.

Joanna Sullivan’s eyes glistened with tears. On camera, her crying and smiling were both perfectly timed and aesthetically beautiful.

She choked back sobs as she explained, "Actually, this contestant reminds me of myself. Her story resonates with me. A long time ago, I gave up love for my passion, my dance career. Now, however, I’ve decided to return to the man I love. I think if I had to choose again, I would give up everything for him. After all, we are the most important people in each other’s lives, and we understand each other better than anyone else."

Joanna Sullivan knew exactly how to create a buzz. As soon as she spoke, the entire studio was in an uproar, and everyone’s curiosity was piqued.

Eve Vaughn quickly opened her phone and recorded the segment.

’Let’s just see what Mason Lawson has to say when he sees this,’ she thought.

The host continued to ask, "Miss Sullivan, your ex must be a very outstanding person, right? Can you reveal whether he is still single?"

Joanna Sullivan smiled and said confidently, "Of course. He’s been waiting for me. Over the years, there’s been no shortage of people throwing themselves at him, but he has always been waiting for me to come back. I’m very touched by that."

The host said excitedly, "Then we’ll wish Miss Sullivan and her lover a happy ending! When the time comes, you must make an official announcement!"

Joanna Sullivan gently wiped a tear from the corner of her eye with her fingertip, a beautiful smile gracing her lips. "I will. As soon as there’s good news, I’ll be sure to let everyone know."

After all, the private lives of public figures were what people were most curious about, and the easiest way to stir up buzz.

After Joanna Sullivan’s generous sharing, the buzz surrounding both the show and her own profile was hyped to a new level.

Eve Vaughn irritably changed the channel, but to her dismay, Joanna Sullivan’s face popped up again, like a ghost she couldn’t shake.

It was an entertainment news segment promoting the dance competition, lavishing praise on Joanna Sullivan for being beautiful, successful, and possessing both talent and moral integrity.

Finally, Eve Vaughn just turned off the television. Out of sight, out of mind.

Just then, the lock clicked. She glanced at the door and saw Mason Lawson entering.

Eve Vaughn didn’t want to give him the time of day and started walking into the bedroom.

Mason Lawson, of course, noticed the young woman’s mood was off. He followed her, wrapping his arms around her from behind.

The man’s warm breath ghosted across her neck. Eve Vaughn struggled slightly and said, "Let me go."

"Why?"

He held her as if it were the most natural thing in the world, not loosening his grip in the slightest.

Eve didn’t speak, remaining cold and still in his arms, like an unfeeling statue.

Mason spoke in a low voice, "I only played two rounds of mahjong before I came back, and I even got teased by Eric and the others for ditching my friends for a girl. I came back specifically to appease you, and you’re giving me the cold shoulder."

Eve asked snidely, "Why do you need to appease me? Mr. Lawson, you always have your reasons for doing things. When have you ever been wrong? Do you really need to appease me?"

Mason laughed, turning her around to face him. "Are you angry because you didn’t get a satisfactory answer when Regina Shaw asked me about marriage on the drive over?"

Eve Vaughn froze, a little embarrassed.

She had assumed he didn’t know, but it turned out he knew she would be angry.

’And yet, even knowing that, he had still been so hurtful.’

The man’s dark, deep eyes gazed at her as he asked, "Do you want to marry me that badly right now?"

Eve Vaughn’s heart sank. She quickly avoided his gaze. "I haven’t thought about it. Besides, even if I wanted to, what good would it do? I know you’ve always had someone you want to marry."

Mason looked at her with great interest. "You know me better than I know myself? How come I’m just finding this out?"

Eve Vaughn unlocked her phone and showed him the TV clip she had just recorded.

Mason Lawson took it with a puzzled look, his brows furrowing deeper as he watched.

"Such a hypocrite!" Eve said resentfully.

After watching the recording, Mason Lawson tossed the phone aside with an air of indifference.

He pulled her into his arms, coaxing her softly, "Isn’t this how you create buzz to get famous? Let her say what she wants. What does it have to do with me?"

"But the man she was talking about is clearly you!" Eve’s voice was thick with anger and unshed tears. "You two have years of history. Can you honestly say you don’t have any lingering feelings for her? Can you honestly say the reason you’re still not married at your age isn’t because you’ve been waiting for her?"

Mason’s expression darkened. "And what about you? Don’t you have a past? You were willing to risk your life to donate part of your liver to Julian Lawson. If we’re going to dig up the past, doesn’t that mean your feelings for him run deeper?"

"You—!"

Eve was left speechless by his retort.

’I can’t even win an argument against him!’

Seeing the young woman on the verge of tears from anger, Mason had no choice but to soften his tone. He took her hand and said, "Look, if we absolutely have to dwell on the past, then we both have one."

"I..."

Eve had barely spoken a word before Mason cut her off. "But right now, I’m serious about being with you. This isn’t just a game to me."

"But..."

Eve hurried to voice her thoughts, but Mason beat her to it again. "If my past with Joanna bothers you this much, it must mean you care a lot about me. And since we both care about each other, why should we waste the time we have together on meaningless arguments like this?"

After he finished, Eve fell completely silent.

Mason gazed at her dazed expression and asked, "What was it you wanted to say earlier? You can say it now."

Eve thought for a long time but had completely forgotten what she was about to say.

’Every time I tried to speak, he would cut me off.’

’And now, her mind was a complete blank.’

But the frustration was still stuck in her chest, refusing to dissipate.

Just then, Mason wrapped an arm around her waist and gently pressed his lips to hers.

He parted her perfect teeth and his tongue slipped inside, exploring as if a king were surveying his territory.

Eve struggled weakly, but the man simply pinned both of her hands behind her back, deepening the tender, lingering kiss.

After a long moment, he finally, slowly released her. His voice was low and husky. "Evie, don’t be angry anymore, hm?"

The young woman before him still looked heavy-hearted, and seeing her like this made his own heart ache.

Mason explained calmly, "To be honest, I really don’t have any plans to get married right now. But it’s not because of Joanna Sullivan. It’s because I’m dealing with a mountain of problems, both internal and external. I need time to resolve all of that before I can think about my own affairs."

Eve finally felt a flicker of confidence and hope return. Her clear, limpid eyes stared at him as she asked, "And what about after you’ve resolved them?"

A flicker of melancholy crossed Mason Lawson’s eyes. He squeezed her hand. "If you’re still willing to be with me after I’ve resolved everything, then we’ll get married."

Eve didn’t grasp the deeper meaning behind his words; she was simply immersed in the joy of his final promise.

’So Mason did plan on marrying me after all.’

A subtle thrill bloomed in her heart, but she was afraid he’d notice and think she was being too pushy.

But that was just the kind of person she was. She was serious about everything she did and everyone she cared for.

When she was serious, she hoped the other person would be serious in return.

She wanted a clear outcome for everything.

Even without money or fame, just living a simple life was enough, as long as she was with the person she loved.

She had originally thought that was a life Mason Lawson couldn’t give her.

But he had just said that he could.

Stars seemed to light up in Eve Vaughn’s dark eyes. She told him, "I’m still young. I can wait."

She wasn’t even twenty yet. As long as he didn’t let go of her hand, she was willing to walk this path with him, no matter how many risks lay ahead. She wasn’t afraid.

Mason gazed at her thoughtfully, then pinched her cheek. "Feeling better now? Not angry anymore?"

Eve wrapped her arms around his neck and said with a hint of grievance, "But Joanna Sullivan is always lusting after you, and you’re my man!"

Mason chuckled. "Well, we live in a society with laws, so I can’t exactly go and gouge her eyes out. Since you know I’m your man, you’d better keep a good watch over me. Don’t go throwing tantrums and having fits all the time, or you might just scare your man away!"

Eve gave a slightly embarrassed laugh and quickly changed the subject, pulling on his arm. "It’s snowing outside! Let’s go have a snowball fight!"

Mason said, "Why don’t you get Mia and the others to play with you? I’m too old to be playing games like that."

’If his buddies saw him, they’d laugh him out of the room.’

But the young woman just kept pulling his hand, insisting that he go with her.

Before they went out, Mason put a scarf and gloves on her, making sure she wouldn’t get cold.

Being treated like a fragile doll by him actually made Eve laugh out loud with delight.

Mason frowned. "What are you laughing at? Is putting on a scarf that amusing?"

The young woman tilted her head and said earnestly, "Maybe it’s because my dad passed away so early, but with Mr. Lawson, I feel like I’m experiencing a father’s love. Other girls get a boyfriend who can only be a boyfriend, but Mr. Lawson serves two purposes!"

The man’s throat tightened. He suddenly pulled her into his arms, his devilishly handsome face slowly closing in. "There are even more purposes," he murmured. "Want to unlock them?"