Eve Vaughn immediately recalled what Julian Lawson had said before: his maternal uncle was with the Health Bureau. With a single order from him, no hospital would dare treat her mother.

’It must be Autumn Woods’s brother, then.’

Since so many students were discussing the news, Aria assumed Eve Vaughn’s silence meant she wasn’t interested and turned around to gossip with the students sitting behind her.

Eve Vaughn actually found it strange. ’The Woods Family used to be so prominent in the medical field. How could something like this happen so suddenly?’

’Could it be Mason Lawson?’

Besides him, Eve Vaughn couldn’t think of anyone else with that kind of power—decisive, swift, and giving his opponents no room to breathe.

Ten minutes later, Autumn Woods finally returned to the classroom.

Her expression, however, was exceptionally grim. She was so distracted that she even tripped on her way to the lectern.

The students gasped in surprise. This made Eve Vaughn even more certain. ’The Woods Family is in trouble. It’s confirmed.’

Autumn Woods was usually as proud as a peacock. When had she ever lost her composure like this?

Standing at the lectern, Autumn Woods felt insecure and ashamed for the first time.

She knew how fast news spread online. It was very likely her students already knew what had happened to her brother.

A person like Autumn Woods was extremely concerned with her reputation and craved admiration.

But now, she felt that even these students, who were still wet behind the ears, seemed to be pitying her.

Autumn Woods was distracted for the rest of the lecture, practically just reading off the PowerPoint slides.

Finally, the bell rang, signaling the end of class.

And since it was the last class of the day, school was out.

Autumn Woods asked Eve Vaughn to stay behind, letting everyone else leave.

As she watched her classmates leave the room one by one, Eve Vaughn looked at Autumn Woods with disgust and impatience. "What do you want now?"

This time, however, Autumn Woods wasn’t her usual imperious self. She lowered her voice and said, "I’d like to ask you the same question. What are you trying to do? Eve Vaughn, tell me, was it Hamilton Hale or Jonah Spencer? They’re the ones helping you come after me this time, aren’t they?"

By the end, she was practically grinding her teeth.

Eve Vaughn gave a cold smile. "I guess what goes around comes around. A taste of your own medicine."

Autumn Woods snapped, "Let me tell you something, Eve Vaughn. The Woods Family is a medical dynasty; we won’t be taken down so easily. Besides, you plan on being a doctor one day. Every hospital in Rivaster is full of our family’s proteges. Do you really want to push this to the point of mutual destruction?"

Eve Vaughn’s gaze was sharp and resolute. "If a little fish like me can tear the golden net of your Woods Family, then it’ll be worth it."

"You!"

Mrs. Lawson took a deep breath, suppressed her anger, and finally relented. "Fine. Fine. Eve Vaughn, I apologize. I was thoughtless regarding your mother’s situation. How about this? Go tell Jonah Spencer and Hamilton Hale to immediately withdraw the complaint against my brother!"

After all, the anonymous whistleblower had only provided half the evidence, and they claimed the other half would be collected by tomorrow.

Autumn Woods felt she had no other choice, terrified that her brother would be doomed beyond redemption if all the evidence was submitted.

She had thought that by humbly apologizing, she could get Eve Vaughn to show her some respect.

But to her surprise, Eve Vaughn just laughed with contempt. "Mrs. Lawson, is that the only thing you have to apologize for? You’ve wronged me in so many ways. If you publicly apologize to me and clearly explain every single thing—including how I was the liver donor for Julian Lawson—then maybe I’ll consider your proposal."

Autumn Woods had never been coerced like this in her entire life.

Besides, her brother was already under investigation; he likely wouldn’t come out of it with a clean record.

If she were to expose her own actions on top of that, the consequences would be far more severe.

After weighing the pros and cons, Autumn Woods, of course, refused to yield.

She pointed a finger at Eve Vaughn and said hatefully, "You’ve got some nerve! But Eve Vaughn, this isn’t over. You just wait!"

With that, she grabbed her bag and stormed away.

Though her strides were forceful, she couldn’t hide her pathetic state.

Eve Vaughn felt absolutely ecstatic!

’I have to eat a big dinner tonight to celebrate.’

She was about to head to the cafeteria for dinner when her phone rang. It was Mason Lawson.

Eve Vaughn’s heart skipped a beat, but she answered the call.

The man’s displeased voice came through the line. "Why aren’t you out yet? School ended a while ago."

"Are... are you at my school’s gate?" Eve Vaughn asked, surprised.

Mason Lawson replied, "Where else would I be? Hurry up and come out. I’m taking you to dinner."

Eve Vaughn suddenly felt like their behavior was a lot like dating.

For some reason, her heart felt like it was filling with little pink bubbles.

She decided to leave her books in the classroom, taking only a small bag with her as she left.

Just as she stepped out of the school gates, she saw Mason Lawson’s car parked by the side of the road.

Eve Vaughn jogged over and slipped into the car.

Mason Lawson glanced at her. "You’re always so furtive. Anyone who didn’t know better would think we were having an affair."

Eve Vaughn said in a huff, "Well, isn’t that because your car and you yourself are too eye-catching, Uncle? If people found out that an ordinary college student like me was with a man like you, they’d definitely get the wrong idea."

"Why do you care what other people think?" Mason Lawson smiled. "Isn’t it enough as long as you’re happy?"

Eve Vaughn made an ’X’ with her arms. "No way! I have to be at school all day. If everyone is whispering things about me, do you think I could possibly be happy? I’m not you. No one would dare say a word about you."

Mason Lawson thought about it and realized she had a point.

He had to accept Eve Vaughn’s ordinary life, just as she had to accept the gap in their ages and statuses.

Mason Lawson nodded. "Alright. I’ll try to be more low-key from now on so I don’t cause you any trouble."

Eve Vaughn loved this feeling of being respected. Right now, at least, she felt that she and Mason Lawson were equals.

"What do you want to eat tonight?"

Mason Lawson was about to start the car.

Eve Vaughn suddenly thought of something. "Wait, I have a question for you."

"Go ahead."

Mason Lawson rested one hand on the steering wheel, while the other idly toyed with the ends of her hair.

Eve Vaughn asked cautiously, "The director of the Health Bureau was reported... they say he’s been suspended pending an investigation. Was that you?" 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Mason Lawson tilted his head to look at her. "Besides me, who else would stand up for you, hmm?"

Eve Vaughn smiled sweetly and scratched her head. "I thought it was probably you."

"So? Feeling any better?" Mason Lawson’s tone was laced with indulgence. "If you’re feeling better, then come back home tonight. And in the future, when you get upset, you’re not allowed to just run away from home. Got it?"

Eve Vaughn explained, embarrassed, "I wasn’t throwing a tantrum, and I didn’t run away. I just..."

’I just wanted to leave with my dignity intact, rather than wait for him to kick me out.’

A flicker of confusion crossed Mason Lawson’s eyes. "You just what?"

"Nothing."

Eve Vaughn shook her head. "Anyway, it’s fine now. I was just overthinking things. I’m so hungry! Can we get hot pot? Sichuan style—the spicier, the better!"

Mason Lawson hesitated. ’The spicier, the better?’

Seeing his hesitation, Eve Vaughn asked meekly, "You... don’t like hot pot? Then never mind. We can eat whatever you want, Uncle."

The way the young woman was being so considerate and deliberately trying to please him made Mason Lawson’s heart melt.

He started the car. "We’ll do as you say. Let’s get hot pot. Which place do you usually go to? I don’t eat it often, so I don’t know which places are good."

Eve Vaughn opened her phone’s navigation and selected the Sichuan hot pot restaurant she and Mia Kendall always went to.

When they arrived, Mason Lawson found the environment a bit chaotic and loud.

He asked the owner condescendingly, "Don’t you have any private rooms?"

"Oh, sorry, we’re a small business. Everyone eats here in the main dining area."

The owner said apologetically, "We’ve been open for over a decade, and it’s always been this way."

Only then did Eve Vaughn remember that this place was worlds apart from the upscale establishments Mason Lawson usually frequented.

But the fragrant aroma of hot pot wafting through the air made her mouth water.

Fortunately, Mason Lawson didn’t say anything. Even though he clearly disliked the environment, he still followed Eve Vaughn to a table by the window.

After Eve Vaughn expertly placed their order, she asked, "Uncle, what would you like?"

"I’ll have what you’re having. Oh, and get me a glass of ice water."

’Ice water should at least help with the spice,’ Mason Lawson thought.

Eve Vaughn, on the other hand, ordered a bottle of beer. She didn’t ask for a glass, just used the opener to pop the cap.

She was thirsty, so she took a swig straight from the bottle. The refreshing coolness felt wonderful.

Mason Lawson immediately took the beer from her. "You’re not allowed to drink when we’re out in the future. You’re a young lady. Have you ever seen a girl chugging straight from the bottle?"