It was very late when they got home. Mason Lawson had had too much to drink and, naturally, wasn’t about to let her go.

They went at it for half the night. Her helpless whimpers and pleas for him to stop only fueled his desire for conquest, pushing it to its peak.

Fortunately, a final shred of sanity allowed him to stop before things went too far. He didn’t push any deeper.

He knew she was still somewhat resistant to this sort of thing.

But he wanted her to take the initiative—to be completely willing, without a hint of reluctance.

...

Early the next morning, Mason Lawson was already trying to wake her up.

Eve Vaughn hadn’t fallen asleep until the early hours of the morning. Now, she was dead to the world. With her eyes still closed, she mumbled, "What is it? Isn’t it the weekend?"

Mason Lawson smiled. "Eric Kendall’s Crimson Spring Resort reopened a few days ago, and it’s back in business. Last time, we had a third wheel with us. How about it’s just the two of us today? Soaking in a hot spring in this weather is a great way to unwind. It’s very comfortable."

Eve Vaughn rubbed her eyes and almost agreed.

But then she suddenly remembered that afternoon was her grandmother’s birthday.

"No, I can’t today." Eve Vaughn sat up in bed and explained, "It’s my grandma’s birthday. Even though my uncle and aunt used her against me before, my dad would always go celebrate with her when he was alive. So... I should still go."

Mason Lawson frowned slightly. "Do you have to go?"

Eve Vaughn sighed. "Grandma said she dreamed about my dad. After all, she’s his biological mother. If my dad were still alive, I don’t think he’d want to see me ignore her. Anyway, I’m just going for a meal. I’ll be back right after."

It wasn’t that Mason Lawson was forbidding her from going, but he did remind her, "Keep your phone on. Call me anytime if something happens."

Eve Vaughn suddenly thought of what Mia Kendall had said last night.

’Is Mason deliberately hiding our relationship? Or is he just completely unwilling to go public?’

And so, she decided to test the waters. "Well, why don’t you come with me?"

Mason Lawson paused. After a long silence, he said, "I know what you’re thinking. But now isn’t the right time to make our relationship public."

A sudden chill crept into Eve Vaughn’s heart.

’So it’s not that he hasn’t thought about it. He’s already considered it and has chosen not to.’

A wave of inexplicable disappointment washed over her. Not wanting to show it in front of him, Eve Vaughn said, "I’m going to go wash up. I need to go out and buy a gift later."

But how could her actions and feelings possibly escape his notice?

Sensing her unhappiness, Mason Lawson followed her to the bathroom. "I haven’t forgotten about your uncle and aunt," he told her. "I’m already making arrangements. When the time comes, I’ll help you get everything back—not just this villa, but your father’s company, too. Okay?"

He was changing the subject, trying to use other things important to her to compensate for her disappointment. Eve Vaughn seemed to understand. ’So, my role as his girlfriend is a secret.’

’But what kind of relationship is this?’

’What does that make me to the outside world?’

When Mason Lawson offered to help her pick out a gift that morning, she refused him.

The man didn’t insist, which was in line with the personality and habits of someone in his position.

...

At a jewelry store, Eve Vaughn bought a jade Buddha pendant necklace as a gift and brought it to Violet Court.

’I thought it would be incredibly awkward today, after that huge fight we had.’

But to her surprise, when she arrived at her uncle and aunt’s house, her grandmother was unusually warm toward her. Even her uncle and aunt, who had been so arrogant before, seemed gentle today.

’They’re finally acting like proper elders.’

"Evie’s here! Come in, quick." Jason Vaughn took the gift from her hands and said to Theresa Thompson, "Look, Mom. Evie even brought you a birthday present."

Theresa Thompson beamed. "Wonderful! Just having you here is enough!"

Lana Chambers sighed. "It would be perfect if Charlotte were here today. A shame she’s still in the hospital."

Jason Vaughn quickly chided his wife, "Look at you, why bring that up on such a happy occasion? Alright, alright, now that Evie is here, our family is complete. Bring out the cake."

During the meal, a beaming Theresa Thompson said, "Oh, it’s been so long since I’ve seen my Evie! Your being here is a real honor for this old woman!"

Eve Vaughn toasted the old woman as well, wishing her a long life.

Only after she had finished her drink did a sinister look finally appear in the eyes of Jason Vaughn and Lana Chambers.

After receiving a meaningful glance from her son, Theresa Thompson began the main event of the day.

"Evie, dear, you’re nineteen now, and a junior in college. Do you have a boyfriend?"

The old woman asked as if she were just making small talk.

Eve Vaughn froze for a moment. Remembering Mason Lawson’s clear refusal to make their relationship public that morning, a faint sadness spread through her heart. "No," she replied.

Theresa Thompson smiled sweetly. "That won’t do. It’s important for a girl to get an education, but you can’t neglect the important matter of settling down. Back in our hometown, girls your age are already having children!"

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Lana Chambers’s eyes lit up. "I’ll get it."

Soon, a balding man in his forties appeared at the door.

"Oh, you’re finally here!"

Lana Chambers warmly welcomed the man inside and said to Theresa Thompson, "Mom, this is the one I told you about, my distant cousin, Arthur Sinclair."

Eve Vaughn froze. A sudden, ominous feeling surged up from the pit of her stomach.

She heard Theresa Thompson say, "Oh, Arthur, you’re finally here! Quick, quick, have a seat over here."

They deliberately had Arthur Sinclair sit next to Eve Vaughn.

Eve Vaughn frowned and scooted away from him.

Theresa Thompson adopted a grave, heartfelt tone. "Evie, your father has passed away, and your mother is unconscious in the hospital. The matter of you settling down has always been a weight on my heart. So, your aunt found someone reliable we know well. If you two could be together and he could take care of you, then your grandma could finally rest easy."

It was only then that Eve Vaughn understood. This was a trap.

She looked at Theresa Thompson with sarcasm. "Grandma, I only came here because it’s your birthday. But you pull this kind of crap on me, and you still have the nerve to bring up my parents? How dare you?"

With that, she stood up to leave.

"Miss Vaughn, don’t go."

Arthur Sinclair quickly blocked her way, his eyes gleaming with the confidence of someone who always gets what he wants. "Sure, I’m divorced, and yeah, I’m a bit older. But none of that’s a problem. I run a factory now, and my annual salary is around five hundred thousand. If you’re with me, it’ll definitely be better than being a poor student. Don’t you think?"

As he spoke, his hand shot out and impatiently squeezed her waist.

Eve Vaughn shoved him away forcefully, fuming. "Mr. Sinclair, please have some self-respect! Also, I’m not interested in older, divorced men. It’s never going to happen between us."

But Arthur Sinclair grabbed her hand. "Miss Vaughn, marriage has always been decided by parents and matchmakers. Your grandmother has already promised you to me, so stop refusing. If you won’t accept my polite offer, then I won’t be so nice anymore!"

Just then, Eve Vaughn felt her entire body go limp, as if all her strength was gradually being drained away.

She suddenly realized that something must have been wrong with the food or the drink.

’If I confront them head-on right now, I’ll definitely lose.’

’Since they dared to drug me, they must be determined to see me ruined.’

Mason’s words surfaced in her mind: ’Stay calm. Don’t panic.’

She looked down at Arthur Sinclair’s hand gripping her wrist and, in the end, managed to resist the urge to push him away.

Seeing this, Lana Chambers walked over, playing the part of a mediator. "Now, that’s more like it! Getting to know each other is part of courtship and marriage. You can’t just say you’re not a good match right off the bat. Come on, sit down. Let’s eat and chat."

Fighting back her disgust, Eve Vaughn sat down next to Arthur Sinclair, only for the man to grope her thigh.

’How do I get out of this?’

The voices around her were like buzzing flies, giving her a headache.

’I’m weak all over, and my head is spinning. There’s no way I can run for it.’

’I have to find someone to save me, and fast.’

’Otherwise, who knows what Arthur Sinclair will do?’