Eve Vaughn’s heart skipped a beat, and her entire body went stiff.

She asked in a small voice, "So if... I don’t give myself to you, will you go back on your promise to help me, Mr. Lawson?"

Mason Lawson paused for a moment, then caressed her smooth cheek. "Of course not. This isn’t a transaction, you know?"

Eve Vaughn anxiously twisted her hands together. "Can you give me a little more time? I... I’m not ready yet."

Although Mason Lawson was a little disappointed, he still nodded and comforted her, "It’s alright."

With that, he took her hand. "Come on, it’s time for dinner."

Eve Vaughn carefully snuck a glance at Mason Lawson. "You’re not mad, are you?"

Mason Lawson smiled. "Why would I be mad? You’re already my woman. Making you mine is just a matter of time, isn’t it?"

Eve Vaughn’s face turned beet red. How was she supposed to respond to that?

She truly didn’t understand how Mason Lawson could say such a blatantly suggestive thing so calmly, without even batting an eye.

...

In the blink of an eye, it was Monday.

Eve Vaughn was a little confused. Hadn’t Mason Lawson said he would make them pay a price?

Why hadn’t there been any news at all?

Looking at the scar on her arm, Eve Vaughn found it hard to stomach the injustice.

’But since Mason already promised me, he probably wouldn’t go back on his word.’

She returned to her dorm room during her lunch break.

As she passed the front desk, the dorm manager called out to her, "Eve Vaughn, you have a package."

"Okay, thank you, ma’am."

Eve Vaughn took the package. It felt like a thin envelope of documents.

After opening it, she discovered it was a letter from a lawyer, accusing her of embezzling her inheritance.

A chill went down her spine. ’Mason hasn’t even made his move yet, but my uncle and aunt have already started theirs?’ 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

’I thought a lawyer’s letter was the extent of the pressure they’d put on me.’

But unexpectedly, after her classes ended that evening, two people dressed as reporters stopped her downstairs from her dorm.

"Miss Vaughn, you are Miss Eve Vaughn, correct?"

The two reporters compared her to a photo for a long moment before confirming her identity. "Do you have a moment to speak with us?"

Eve Vaughn looked at them, puzzled. "Do you... need something from me?"

The two reporters showed their press badges. "Here’s the situation. We’re staff from the show *Family Mediation Gold*. Your grandmother, uncle, and aunt have signed up to be on our program. We’ve been told it’s because you seized the inheritance your father left behind, kicked them out of the house, and left them homeless. Is that correct? Our show is dedicated to maintaining family harmony, and we’d like you to participate in the recording."

Eve Vaughn never imagined that Lana Chambers and the others would pull a stunt like this.

’They’re just trying to completely ruin my reputation!’

She said, her face devoid of expression, "Sorry, what my uncle and aunt told you is complete nonsense, and I have no interest in participating in your show. Please don’t come looking for me at my school again."

"Miss Vaughn, please don’t go just yet."

The reporter blocked her path again. "Look, even if you don’t show up, your grandmother, uncle, and aunt will still be on the show, and they’ll publicize your personal information anyway. Rather than let that happen, why not come on the show yourself? If you explain everything clearly, it’ll be a happy ending for everyone, right?"

Eve Vaughn was suddenly seething with anger. She demanded in a cold voice, "Then let me ask you, have you done your due diligence? Is what my uncle and aunt said the absolute truth? If you don’t even know the facts, is there any point in making such a muddle-headed program?"

"That’s exactly why we need you to appear! If what they’re saying isn’t true, you can correct them!"

The two reporters were just trying to create a sensational story. After all, having two opposing sides on a show together would be far more dramatic than just one side telling their own version of events.

But Eve Vaughn refused point-blank. "I’m not going. They can do whatever they want!"

With that, she walked straight into the women’s dormitory, leaving the two reporters behind.

Although her attitude had been resolute just now, giving off an air of indifference, deep down, she was still deeply unsettled.

After all, television shows are the most powerful tools for shaping public opinion.

Lana Chambers and her family were really stopping at nothing.

If a show like that actually aired, she would be vilified by the public, regardless of whether she was that kind of person or not.

In an instant, Eve Vaughn’s mood hit rock bottom.

That family was like a viper, coiled tightly around her neck, impossible to shake off.

’It’s like they won’t be satisfied until they’ve strangled the life out of you!’

Just then, her phone rang. It was Mason Lawson, likely calling to take her out for dinner.

Eve Vaughn dropped her backpack in her dorm room and slumped into Mason Lawson’s car, completely dejected.

"What’s wrong? It’s only your first day back to class after your time off, and you’re already looking so glum?" Mason Lawson pinched her cheek and joked, "How about I get you a few more days off? Besides, I can definitely find a way to make sure you pass your final exams."

Eve Vaughn was already in a bad mood. She pouted and retorted, "If someone like that became a doctor, would you dare let them operate on you?"

Mason Lawson’s face darkened. "Can’t you wish me well for once?"

’I’m already ten years older than her, and she’s actually wishing for me to get sick and need surgery!’

He started the car and said, "Alright, spill it. What’s wrong?"

Eve Vaughn was afraid that if she told him, she’d distract his driving and it wouldn’t be safe. "Let’s talk about it when we get home," she said. "And I don’t want to eat out. I’m not in the mood."

Mason Lawson steered the car toward home and said lightly, "That works too. Mrs. Linton’s cooking is quite healthy, after all."

When they got home, Mason didn’t ask again.

He knew this girl couldn’t keep things bottled up; even if he didn’t ask, she would tell him on her own.

Sure enough, during dinner, Eve Vaughn sullenly broke the silence. "How come you’re not asking me why I’m upset anymore?"