Eve Vaughn wasn’t the least bit intimidated by her words, calmly stating, "Whether or not I say anything depends on your behavior."

Sharon Lowe gritted her teeth but had no choice but to concede. "I... I understand."

’It looked like she’d have to live with her tail between her legs in front of Eve Vaughn from now on.’

Then, she added, "My mom won’t be working for you anymore."

Mrs. Linton was stunned. "What nonsense are you talking?"

Sharon Lowe snapped at her mother, "Don’t tell me you’re planning to keep working as Eve Vaughn’s housekeeper, waiting on her hand and foot and humiliating me?"

"How is this humiliating?" Mrs. Linton was so upset she started to cry. "If I didn’t work here, where would the money for your tuition come from? Where would your allowance come from? Miss Vaughn was generous enough to let me stay, and you’re still being so thoughtless!"

But Sharon Lowe persisted, saying disdainfully, "It’s not like she’s the only one who can give you a job. You’re a housekeeper; you wait on people no matter where you work. Just find another family!"

SMACK! A slap landed across Sharon Lowe’s face.

She stared at Mrs. Linton in disbelief. "You hit me?"

Mrs. Linton said, her voice filled with heartbreak and regret, "Yes, I hit you! I know that ever since you were little, your father’s and my jobs have embarrassed you. But we worked hard to give you a good life so your classmates wouldn’t look down on you. But you? What have you done? I almost became a thief because of you! Fine. Since you look down on my job so much, you can earn your own allowance and tuition from now on! I’m not giving you another penny."

Sharon Lowe was completely dumbfounded. She didn’t dare say another word about her mother finding a new job.

’After all, she had lost her wealthy socialite persona, couldn’t do livestreams anymore, and had no other source of income.’

’She certainly didn’t want to end up like Nina Steele, eating free soup and rice while juggling several jobs all by herself.’

In the end, Sharon Lowe slinked away, and Mrs. Linton stayed behind.

"Miss Vaughn, I promise I’ll work hard from now on to repay your kindness."

Mrs. Linton was still deeply ashamed and apologized profusely to Eve Vaughn.

Eve Vaughn said, "Since the matter is resolved, let’s not bring it up again. I don’t like to dwell on the past. However, I don’t want Sharon Lowe telling everyone at school that I’m living here."

Mrs. Linton said quickly, "I understand. I’ll tell her right now that if she dares to say a word and cause any trouble for you, I’ll disown her!"

"Okay, Mrs. Linton. I trust you."

This was just Eve Vaughn’s nature: trust the people you use, and don’t use the people you distrust.

Since she had decided to let Mrs. Linton stay, she wouldn’t bring up the past again.

After all, she could tell that Mrs. Linton had been pushed into it by Sharon Lowe.

Just then, Mrs. Linton said hesitantly, "Miss Vaughn, if Mr. Lawson finds out what I did, I’m afraid he... he won’t let me off easily."

Eve Vaughn immediately understood what she meant. ’After all, with Mason Lawson’s iron-fisted approach, how could he possibly tolerate something like this?’

So, she said, "Mrs. Linton, I won’t tell Mason about this. But I do want to give you a piece of advice: a doting mother spoils the child. You bear some responsibility for how Sharon Lowe turned out."

"I know, Miss Vaughn." Mrs. Linton was too ashamed to speak, only managing to say weakly, "I used to think it was because I wasn’t capable enough, that I didn’t provide a good life for my child. But now I realize that no matter how hard I work, I can’t seem to warm her heart. The more I spoil her, the more she wants. I can’t satisfy her anymore."

Eve Vaughn couldn’t help but sympathize with Mrs. Linton, but she was no saint. She held Sharon Lowe’s written confession, which gave her leverage over both the mother and daughter.

With Mrs. Linton staying, she would surely do a good job for her daughter’s sake and wouldn’t try anything funny.

Later, Mrs. Linton said, "Miss Vaughn, let’s add each other on WeChat. That way, when I get paid, I can give you half my salary each month to pay you back."

"Okay."

Eve Vaughn took out her phone and they added each other as contacts.

’After all, everyone has to take responsibility for their own mistakes. Pity and sympathy aren’t excuses for forgiveness.’

That evening, when Mason Lawson returned, Mrs. Linton was so frightened she didn’t dare to even look up, like someone with a guilty conscience.

But Eve Vaughn kept her promise and didn’t say a word about what had happened that day.

The two of them returned to the bedroom as usual.

Mason Lawson said, "I had the real estate agency take down the listing for your house. Since the villa was your father’s, you should keep it. Don’t sell it."

Eve Vaughn looked at him, touched. She knew that if she didn’t sell the house, she would truly have to rely on Mason Lawson’s financial support from now on.

"Mason... I’m a heavy burden."

Eve Vaughn bit her lip and said, embarrassed, "And my mother... her medical bills are expensive. That’s why I don’t want to be a burden to you."

Mason Lawson countered, "So, you think I can’t afford to support you?"

Eve Vaughn pressed her lips together, saying with a hint of insecurity, "You’re incredibly wealthy, Mason. Of course you can afford it."

Mason Lawson smiled and stroked her hair. "Then what are you worried about? Evie, you are not a burden to me. Understand?"

Eve Vaughn’s heart fluttered. She leaned into his embrace, wrapping her arms around him like a gentle, docile kitten.

She wasn’t one to be overly sentimental, but with Mason Lawson, she couldn’t help but let down her tough exterior and reveal her vulnerable side.

Mason Lawson kissed her forehead and said, as if coaxing a child, "What’s this? Getting all clingy all of a sudden?"

"I’m not being clingy," she murmured softly. "I just want to hold you like this."

...

「The next day」

Eve Vaughn went to school. Just as she expected, Sharon Lowe went out of her way to avoid her, all traces of her previous arrogance gone.

Even Aria noticed something was off. She whispered to Eve Vaughn, "Is she cursed or something? She came back last night reeking of alcohol and has just been in a daze. And get this, she didn’t even throw away that old bedding you tossed on the floor. She actually put it back on her bed last night and used it."

Of course, Eve Vaughn knew exactly what was going on, but because of the promise she’d made, she didn’t reveal the reason.

"Maybe... she’s had a change of heart. Figured it’s better to be a little more down-to-earth."

She replied evasively.

Aria pursed her lips. "No way. Yesterday afternoon, she was still so high and mighty when she was demanding compensation from you! By the way, did you end up paying her?"

Eve Vaughn looked awkward for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah, I paid her."

Aria grumbled indignantly, "You really let her off easy. All that stuff was second-hand, and you still paid her the full original price."

Just as they were talking, the bell for class rang.

Hamilton Hale walked in with the dean.

The dean said politely to Hamilton Hale, "Doctor Hale, if you’ll just give me a few minutes. I have a quick announcement to make."

Hamilton Hale nodded. "Please, go ahead."

The dean cleared his throat and announced to the entire class, "After an investigation by the university’s IT department, we have identified the student who started and spread the malicious rumors on the school forum! Sharon Lowe, stand up!"