"Mason..."

Eve Vaughn called out cautiously, her voice tinged with grievance. "I really didn’t know. Before, I thought... he acted pretty normal around me."

Mason Lawson glanced at her. "Do you like him? It’s normal for young people to hit it off. There’s no generation gap."

"I..."

Eve Vaughn stammered, "Is it... am I allowed to like him?"

Mason Lawson suddenly pulled the car over to the side of the road. With a hint of irritation, his long, well-defined fingers tugged at his tie.

Then, his deep, sharp eyes locked onto her as he asked, "So, you do like him?"

Eve Vaughn waved her hands frantically, a playful grin plastered on her face. "No, no, no, I was just kidding! Sure, he’s young, but he doesn’t have your charm, your experience, your substance, Mason! I’m not blind. Why would I ever choose him over you? Right?"

Mason Lawson narrowed his eyes, seemingly seeing right through her.

’Low EQ: You’re old! High EQ: You have charm, experience, and substance!’

’This girl really knows how to read a room. With that silver tongue of hers, she could probably talk a dead man back to life.’

Eve Vaughn wiped the cold sweat from her forehead, stealing glances at Mason Lawson’s expression out of the corner of her eye. She was terrified he’d accuse her of cheating on him.

Mason Lawson tore the letter in his hands to shreds, his movements slow but vicious.

He warned her, word by word, "On Monday, go and make things clear with him. Don’t let him pester you again. If you can’t handle it, I’ll handle it for you."

Eve Vaughn immediately promised, "I can handle it myself. Why would I trouble you to get involved in such a trivial matter, Mason?"

Although Mason Lawson knew that precious few of her words were sincere, he still found her fawning quite pleasant and satisfying.

And with that, he started the car again and drove all the way home.

However, when they got home, Eve Vaughn was stunned to find that the door to her room was locked.

"Mrs. Linton, I can’t get my door open!" Eve Vaughn hurried downstairs. "Do you have the key?"

Mrs. Linton hesitated, glancing over at Mason Lawson.

Then Mason Lawson spoke, his tone impassive. "From now on, you’ll be staying with me."

The color drained from Eve Vaughn’s face as she stared at him in disbelief.

Mason Lawson waved a hand, dismissing Mrs. Linton, then turned to Eve Vaughn. "It’s not like we haven’t slept in the same bed before. What are you afraid of?"

Eve Vaughn said stubbornly, "That doesn’t make it right! Only married people should live together. Otherwise, it’s... it’s just indecent!"

Mason Lawson raised an eyebrow, as if he’d just heard some bold declaration. "Oh? You want to marry me?"

"Of course not!"

Eve Vaughn argued, her face flushing, "I just think... it’s too soon for us to be living together."

Mason Lawson nodded. "Fine. We’ll discuss this later. For now, go upstairs to my room and get the box from the nightstand."

"A box?"

Eve Vaughn gave him a strange look. ’But after all the favors he’s done for me, the least I can do is run a small errand and grab something for him.’

So, she went to the master bedroom and easily spotted the rose-colored velvet box on the nightstand.

’It must be a jewelry box.’

Eve Vaughn wondered, ’Could it be? Is he planning to give me some jewelry? A sugar-coated bullet to get what he wants?’

She silently told herself, ’I have to stand my ground. Absolutely not!’

Returning to the living room, Eve Vaughn handed him the small box. "Is this it?"

Mason Lawson jutted his chin toward it. "Open it and see."

Filled with curiosity, Eve Vaughn opened the box.

Inside was a diamond-studded, four-leaf clover necklace, identical to the one her father had given her years ago.

A wave of melancholy and regret washed over her. It was a shame she’d been so short on money back then that she’d had to sell it.

Just then, Mason Lawson prompted her, "Look at the back."

Eve Vaughn turned the necklace over and discovered an inscription on the back.

’So, this really is the one I sold.’

She started to cry with joy, looking at Mason Lawson in disbelief. "How did you know it was mine?"

Mason Lawson stood up, walked slowly toward her, and took the necklace back. "I’m the one who bought it back, so of course it’s mine. Did I say I was giving it to you?"

Eve Vaughn was mortified. She had actually thought he’d bought it back specifically for her.

Seeing the dejected look on her face, the corners of Mason Lawson’s lips curved into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "Well, since *someone* doesn’t seem to want it, I guess I’ll just have to throw it away. It’s not like a grown man like me has any use for it, anyway."

As he spoke, he made a motion as if to toss the necklace into the swimming pool outside.

Eve Vaughn immediately stopped him, gripping his hand tightly. "No! You can’t throw it away. I... Who said I don’t want it? It was a tenth-birthday present from my father. It’s the most precious thing I own."

Mason Lawson followed her lead. "If it’s so precious to you, shouldn’t you offer something sincere in exchange?"

Eve Vaughn knew it. Mason Lawson was a cunning hunter, and in his presence, she had absolutely no power.

’On the surface, he was giving her a choice, but in reality, she had none at all.’

Later, Mason Lawson personally fastened the necklace around her neck.

That night, she had no choice but to go to Mason Lawson’s bedroom.

The man had already showered and was sitting up in bed, dressed in a navy blue silk robe.

When he saw her enter, he lifted the covers, gesturing for her to come up.

Standing at the doorway, Eve Vaughn said with grave seriousness, "You can’t get handsy with me tonight. If we’re sleeping, we’re just sleeping. You can’t... you know... do *that* to me!"