Hamilton Hale stroked his chin, thoughtfully repeating Mason’s words. "A more... sophisticated approach..."

That very evening, Hamilton Hale arrived with his more sophisticated approach.

Dressed in a nurse’s uniform, Eve Vaughn followed behind Hamilton Hale, walking confidently right up to the door of Mason Lawson’s hospital room.

Hamilton Hale deliberately spoke loud enough for the bodyguards to hear. "The Emergency Surgery department can’t handle this procedure; our Cardiology team has to do it ourselves. Do you have all the equipment?"

"We have everything, Doctor Hale."

Eve Vaughn held up her tray, revealing a collection of instruments the bodyguards couldn’t possibly understand.

Neil Kane played his part perfectly. "We’ll be counting on you then, Doctor Hale."

And just like that, without batting an eye, Hamilton Hale led Eve Vaughn into the room.

...

The moment Mason Lawson saw Eve Vaughn in the crisp white nurse’s uniform—her slender legs fair and straight, her exquisite curves accentuated by the form-fitting outfit—his eyes were glued to her.

He couldn’t help but swallow hard. ’This girl has no idea just how seductive she looks in that uniform, does she?’

As a fellow man, Hamilton Hale saw the look in Mason Lawson’s eyes and immediately understood.

He cleared his throat awkwardly. "Alright, I’ll step out and give you two some time to talk. I’ll be back in half an hour."

Mason Lawson gave him a look of profound, unspoken gratitude and watched him leave.

Hamilton Hale’s voice drifted in from outside, part of his act for the bodyguards. "Ah, I thought we had everything, but it seems we forgot one thing. I need to run back to the department and grab it!"

Eve Vaughn thought of Hamilton Hale’s usual demeanor during his lectures and compared it to his current performance, a small laugh escaping her lips.

Just then, she noticed Mason Lawson’s intense, smoldering gaze was still locked on her.

"Come here."

He looked at her and commanded in a hoarse voice.

Eve’s heart leaped into her throat, but she obediently walked to his side. Looking at his left shoulder, she said, "You need to take off your shirt. Let me see how your wound is healing."

But in the next instant, Mason Lawson suddenly pulled her into his arms, murmuring, "It’s almost completely healed."

As he spoke, he used his good hand to start unbuttoning her nurse’s uniform.

"Uncle."

Realizing his intentions, Eve Vaughn quickly grabbed his hand to stop him. "We can’t."

But Mason Lawson couldn’t hold back. He kissed her lips, murmuring, "They won’t dare come in without my permission. As long as you keep your voice down and behave, there’s nothing we can’t do."

"Uncle..."

Eve Vaughn looked at him with a pout. "I just wanted to come see you, not be served up on a platter for you to take advantage of."

Even as she spoke, Mason Lawson had already undone the buttons on her chest, burying his face in the soft, firm curves of her flesh.

Every nerve in Eve Vaughn’s body went taut. A soft moan escaped her before she quickly bit her lip, terrified the people outside would hear.

Mason Lawson continued his gentle torment, and at the same time, made her help him quench his desire.

The young woman’s face was flushed so red it felt like it could bleed, but with people right outside the door, she had no choice but to steel herself and do as he asked.

The man nibbled her earlobe, his voice husky and suggestive. "Evie, you should wear this uniform more often in the future. I like it."

Utterly exasperated, Eve Vaughn whispered, "I wore this to sneak in with Doctor Hale, not to seduce you."

"Of course I know that."

Mason Lawson kissed her cheek again. "But I just love seeing you like this. From now on, you can wear it for me at home, too. Hmm?"

...

After their brief, intimate moment, both were left breathing unsteadily. Mason Lawson held her in his arms, unwilling to let go.

Even though it wasn’t the first time they had been this intimate, Eve Vaughn still couldn’t help but blush.

Just like now—she was so preoccupied with her shyness that she forgot to tell him how she had worried about him, thought about him, every single day he was in the hospital.

Just then, Eve Vaughn’s phone buzzed with a text from Hamilton Hale: "Time’s almost up."

Mason Lawson noticed the message. He frowned, asking, "When did you exchange contact information with Hamilton Hale?"

Eve Vaughn, oblivious to his jealousy, explained earnestly, "Just today. Doctor Hale was worried something unexpected might happen and he wouldn’t be able to reach me, so we exchanged numbers."

Mason Lawson knew it had been a while. Any longer, and the bodyguards outside would grow suspicious.

He kissed her lips again. "I’ll have Neil Kane take you home in a little while. I’d worry otherwise."

A hint of reluctance colored Eve Vaughn’s clear eyes. "Uncle, you have to get well soon and leave the hospital, okay? That way, I won’t have to be so secretive when I come to see you."

Mason Lawson stroked her cheek, his voice soft and soothing. "You’ve been put through a lot, Evie."

Eve Vaughn managed a smile and shook her head. "It’s not so bad. Because Uncle has always been protecting me."

Mason Lawson corrected her again. "Didn’t we already go over this? Why are you calling me ’Uncle’ again? Don’t tell me you still see yourself as Julian Lawson’s girlfriend."

"Of course not!"

Eve Vaughn protested, "I don’t! I’m long over him! I... it’s just a hard habit to break, that’s all."

A sly smile then touched her lips. She wrapped her arms around his neck and cooed, "Mr. Lawson... Mason... Don’t be mad at me, okay?"

Hearing her call his name in that soft, sweet voice, Mason Lawson wanted nothing more than to pull her under the covers and not let her leave all night.

In the end, however, reason won out over passion. Just then, Hamilton Hale sent another reminder that their time was up.

And so, Hamilton Hale put on a show of returning to Mason Lawson’s room, then escorted Eve Vaughn out, and the two of them left together.

In the elevator, Eve Vaughn expressed her gratitude, then fell silent, standing quietly without a word.

She was afraid Hamilton Hale would ask what on earth they had been talking about for so long.

The steamy scenes with Mason Lawson replayed in her mind, and a blush crept up Eve Vaughn’s cheeks.

Just then, Hamilton Hale handed her a tissue. "You should wipe your mouth. Your lipstick is smeared."

Eve Vaughn’s heart skipped a beat. She whipped her head around to look in the elevator’s mirrored wall. Sure enough, thanks to their earlier kisses, the lipstick she had so carefully applied to see Mason Lawson was now smeared well beyond her lip line.

She was instantly so embarrassed she could have died, and she stammered, "Th-thank you, Doctor Hale."

Hamilton Hale found her flustered state oddly endearing and couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.

Feeling even more mortified, Eve Vaughn glared at him, a mix of shame and annoyance in her voice. "Doctor Hale, what’s so funny?"

The smile never left Hamilton Hale’s lips. He watched her for a moment, a thoughtful look in his eyes, before asking, "You love Mason that much, don’t you?"

Eve Vaughn froze, clearly not expecting him to ask such a direct question.

But without a moment’s hesitation, she gave a firm nod.

Just then, the elevator doors opened.

The Third Madam and Joanna Sullivan were standing right outside.

And just like that, they came face-to-face with Eve Vaughn.