From the moment Hamilton Hale decided to help Eve Vaughn and her mother, he knew that word would inevitably get back to Autumn Woods.

"Director Woods, you really shouldn’t be so cruel. When one’s heart is filthy, one sees filth in everything." Hamilton Hale’s sharp gaze swept over Autumn Woods’s face. "I may be a doctor, a complete materialist, but after what happened with your son, I’m inclined to believe in karma."

Autumn Woods ground her back teeth. She hated it most when people brought up Julian Lawson’s illness to hit a nerve.

She sneered, "Hamilton Hale, the Woods and Hale families are both from long lines of doctors. Must we really make things so ugly? Is it worth opposing me for some girl with no background? Don’t forget, I am the Director of Cardiology, your direct superior."

Hamilton Hale glanced at her. "You’re right, we both come from medical families. So, is this what your family taught you? To harm people for your own selfish gain?"

Autumn Woods narrowed her eyes. "So, you’re dead set on protecting Eve Vaughn?"

"That’s right. I’m seeing this through with Eve Vaughn!"

Just then, the elevator arrived. Hamilton Hale walked straight out, not showing her the deference a subordinate would by letting her exit first.

Autumn Woods clutched her purse tightly. ’I’d like to see how long they can protect Eve Vaughn.’

’Once I find proof that they’re fooling around with Eve Vaughn, I’ll make the Hale and Spencer families the laughingstocks of Rivaster!’

’We’ll see if they still dare to meddle in Eve Vaughn’s business then.’

...

A few days later, Eve Vaughn moved out of Mason Lawson’s villa.

She wanted to leave of her own accord, rather than wait for Mason Lawson to tell her to get out.

Mason Lawson only found out from Mrs. Linton after he returned to the country.

"Why are you only telling me now?"

Mason Lawson’s voice held a hint of reprimand.

Mrs. Linton said innocently, "Miss Vaughn said she had already told you. She also said her classes at school have gotten busy, so it would be more convenient to live in the dorms."

Mason Lawson said nothing, instead going to take a look in Eve Vaughn’s room.

The luxury goods he had bought for her were still in the closet. She had only taken her suitcase and her own clothes.

Mason Lawson grew even more suspicious. He had planned to come home and rest to get over his jet lag, but he had the driver take him directly to Eve Vaughn’s university instead.

At that moment, Eve Vaughn had just finished her morning classes and was about to go to the cafeteria with her roommate.

To her surprise, Mason Lawson was standing right outside her classroom.

The man looked travel-worn, and his cold, proud aura was overwhelmingly aristocratic. Standing on a campus full of students, he seemed utterly out of place.

"Little Uncle?"

Eve Vaughn jumped, surprised that he would come looking for her right at her classroom.

Her roommate, Aria, stared at Mason Lawson in astonishment for a long moment before whispering to Eve Vaughn, "Oh my god, Evie, is that your Little Uncle? He’s so handsome."

Eve Vaughn gave an awkward reply. "Aria, you should go eat first. My Little Uncle needs to talk to me about something."

Aria agreed, then waved at Mason Lawson with a cheerful smile. "Goodbye, Little Uncle!"

Mason Lawson frowned slightly and gave a deep "mm," clearly displeased. ’Not just anyone could call him ’Little Uncle.’’

Startled by Mason Lawson’s unapproachable demeanor, Aria quickly left.

Clutching her books, Eve Vaughn looked at him nervously. "Little Uncle, did you need me for something?"

"What do you think?"

Mason Lawson retorted, his face cold. He immediately gripped her shoulder, forced her to turn around, and started walking her toward his car.

Eve Vaughn struggled awkwardly, her expression full of resistance. "Little Uncle, if you have something to say, just say it here. I have class this afternoon."

Mason Lawson stopped. Right there on the bustling campus, he slowly leaned down to look at her. "Are you sure you want to talk about it here?"

Eve Vaughn’s face flushed red. She realized he was coercing her, but she was powerless to stop him.

Afraid of drawing the attention of passing classmates, she had no choice but to get into the car with Mason Lawson.

The moment the door closed, Mason Lawson asked in a low voice, "Why did you move out without so much as a word? Do you think my home is a teahouse you can just come and go from as you please?"

Overwhelmed by his powerful presence, Eve Vaughn could only straighten her back to keep from looking so weak.

The young woman spoke calmly, "I just think it’s time we stopped pretending to be a couple."

Mason Lawson’s brow furrowed instinctively. After a moment of silence, he bit out two words: "Your reason."

"There is no reason."

Not daring to meet Mason Lawson’s frigid gaze, Eve Vaughn said stubbornly, her voice distant, "Little Uncle, I will never forget all the help you’ve given me, but I don’t want to act with you anymore. I don’t like pretending!"

With that, Eve Vaughn immediately pushed the door open and fled from his car.

Mason Lawson’s dark eyes followed the small, fleeing woman through the window, and he couldn’t help but tighten his grip on the steering wheel.

’I have no idea what’s gotten into this girl. I was just out of the country for a bit.’

That afternoon, despite his jet lag, Mason Lawson only rested for a little over two hours before going to the office.

After all, a lot of work had piled up at the company during the few days he was abroad, and it all required his attention.

As soon as Mason Lawson got to the office, he called a meeting with senior management to sort out some of the problems that had cropped up in his absence the previous week.

Anyone could see that Mason Lawson was in a foul mood. Several executives got a dressing-down during the meeting.

Even though Mason Lawson never used profanity, his rebukes were sharp enough to make you question your own existence.

Just then, his phone buzzed. He opened it to find a notification from his bank.

The medical fees he had previously paid for Eve Vaughn’s mother had been refunded by the hospital.

Mason Lawson called the hospital and learned that Eve Vaughn’s mother had been discharged two days ago. The refund was for the unused portion of the medical fees.

He gripped his phone tightly, thinking resentfully, ’Just how many other things is Eve Vaughn hiding from me?’

After hesitating for a moment, he took a backup phone out of his drawer and sent a message to Eve Vaughn under the guise of her ’Uncle’ benefactor.

"Does your mother need any help lately? I saw that the funds I provided for her medical expenses were refunded today. Did something happen?"

Eve Vaughn’s reply came back quickly: "Thank you for your concern, Uncle. I ran into a bit of trouble a while ago, but I’ve already transferred my mother to a new hospital."

Mason Lawson grew more and more confused. ’What kind of trouble did she run into?’

So as not to reveal his identity, he didn’t press for details. Instead, he asked, "If your mother needs financial support right now, you can let me know."

"Not at the moment, Uncle. I’m already so grateful that you’re sponsoring my tuition and living expenses. The new hospital is owned by a friend’s family, and he isn’t charging me."

’A friend?’

Mason Lawson’s brows furrowed slightly. ’Eve Vaughn knows a friend whose family owns a hospital?’

He followed her lead and sent another message: "Forgive my asking, but which hospital is it? As it happens, I also have a friend who owns a hospital. Perhaps I can be of some help."

Eve Vaughn’s reply came: "Evergreen Hospital."

Mason Lawson’s expression darkened instantly. Two words immediately popped into his head: Hamilton Hale.

’So, Hamilton Hale helped Eve Vaughn transfer her mother to another hospital, isn’t charging her, and didn’t tell me.’

’What does that mean? What is he trying to do?’

’And when did he become friends with Eve Vaughn?’