While The Third Madam didn’t recognize Eve Vaughn, Joanna Sullivan did.

Hamilton Hale grew tense as well and was the first to speak. "Mrs. Lawson, you’re here to see Mason."

The Third Madam assumed Eve Vaughn was just an ordinary nurse and paid her no mind. She smiled and greeted Hamilton Hale, "Yes, just here to see Mason. It’s so late, and you’re still not off work? Your job must be exhausting."

Hamilton Hale replied simply, "I’m on duty tonight."

Joanna Sullivan’s gaze, however, lingered on Eve Vaughn, sizing her up from head to toe.

Just as Hamilton Hale was about to wrap up the pleasantries with Third Madam Lawson and make a quick exit with Eve Vaughn, Joanna Sullivan spoke up. "Miss Vaughn, you’re here too? Are you also visiting Mason?"

Cold sweat broke out on Eve Vaughn’s palms. ’I don’t know why,’ she thought, ’but right now, I feel like I’m sneaking around.’

’In front of Mason Lawson’s mother and ex-girlfriend, I can’t even stand up straight.’

Joanna Sullivan’s words caught Third Madam Lawson’s attention. "Joanna, you know this young lady?"

"Yes, Aunt. This is the Eve Vaughn I mentioned to you before."

A slight smile played on Joanna Sullivan’s lips, but it was laced with malice.

It dawned on The Third Madam instantly. ’So, this is the little vixen who’s gotten so cozy with my son!’

Just as The Third Madam was about to lash out, Hamilton Hale suddenly cut in, "Mrs. Lawson, my apologies. Eve Vaughn is my intern, and we still have work to do, so we must be going."

Without waiting for her to respond, he immediately led Eve Vaughn away from the elevator.

The Third Madam stared after their retreating figures for a long time, fuming inwardly. ’How did I not stop that little vixen and demand to know what she was doing here so late at night?’

Once they were out of earshot, Joanna Sullivan said to The Third Madam, "Aunt, let’s go on up, shall we? Perhaps Eve Vaughn really is just Hamilton Hale’s intern, and we’re overthinking things."

"Hmph. In my experience, it’s never that simple!"

The Third Madam said with a sneer, "Did you see how nervous that girl was? You can tell she has a guilty conscience just by looking at her! I can’t believe there are such shameless women, throwing themselves at men to be toyed with. Our Mason is already injured, and still she won’t leave him alone!"

Joanna Sullivan smirked. "Girls these days are quite resourceful, aren’t they? Not as innocent as we were."

Chatting as they went, the two of them made their way to Mason Lawson’s hospital room.

Before they entered, Mason Lawson had already received a message from Hamilton Hale telling him they had run into The Third Madam and Joanna Sullivan by the elevators.

Mason Lawson told Hamilton Hale to get Eve Vaughn safely back to her dorm first; he had already figured out how he would handle things on his end.

Soon, The Third Madam entered with Joanna Sullivan. Mason Lawson was sitting at a desk, his eyes fixed on the economic data on his computer screen, looking perfectly composed.

The Third Madam marched over to him, ready for a confrontation. "Mason, you’ve really got some nerve now! Having that little vixen disguise herself as a nurse just to see you, trying to sneak past and pull the wool over your father’s eyes!"

Only then did Mason Lawson’s gaze shift from the computer screen. He said coolly, "Mom, I don’t understand what you’re talking about."

The Third Madam hadn’t expected him to deny it and could only repeat, "I saw that little vixen in the elevator! I saw her with my own two eyes!"

Mason Lawson said nonchalantly, "If you think I’m lying, then by all means, go tell Dad."

"You!"

He had turned the tables on her, leaving The Third Madam speechless with rage.

After all, they were all in the same boat now. How could she possibly go and report this to Old Mr. Lawson?

Bringing down Mason Lawson would do her no good whatsoever! Joanna Sullivan was also astute; she knew that in this situation, continuing to question Mason Lawson would only be counterproductive.

Thus, she quickly stepped in to play peacemaker. "Aunt, please don’t be hard on Mason. I don’t think he would do something like that, either. Seeing Miss Vaughn in the elevator earlier was probably just a coincidence."

Mason Lawson’s expression didn’t soften in the slightest. He said coldly, "Joanna Sullivan, that’s enough. My mother doesn’t know Eve Vaughn. If you hadn’t pointed her out, I doubt she would have recognized her even if they were standing face to face in the elevator, would she?"

Joanna Sullivan was stunned. She had spoken up for him to curry favor, yet he had still shut her down so mercilessly, leaving her in an awkward position.

The Third Madam immediately seized on this. "So you’re admitting it? You did meet with Eve Vaughn!"

The corners of Mason Lawson’s mouth lifted in a smirk as he retorted, "Does it matter whether I admit it or not? So what if I do? And so what if I don’t? In any case, when it comes to Dad, you know what’s at stake. You won’t go telling him, will you?"

The Third Madam finally got the message. Mason Lawson’s meaning was crystal clear: in the entire Lawson Family, aside from Old Mr. Lawson, no one was to interfere in his and Eve Vaughn’s affairs.

And yet, they were all in the same boat, and this was something Old Mr. Lawson could never find out about.