Knowing her first class was an elective and not that important, Eve Vaughn followed Eric Kendall to a coffee shop near the school.

Eric Kendall got straight to the point. "Alright, let’s talk about how I’m planning to prepare for Mason’s birthday."

Eve Vaughn asked curiously, "For someone of his status, shouldn’t his birthday be a huge celebration?"

"Little Uncle?"

Eric Kendall’s eyes narrowed, and a sly, knowing smile spread across his face.

’I can’t believe Mason Lawson and Eve Vaughn are into role-playing!’

Seeing his creepy smile, Eve Vaughn couldn’t help but frown. "What are you smiling at?"

Eric Kendall quickly snapped out of it and cleared his throat. "Mason’s birthday has never been a big, grand affair. His mother died in childbirth, so his birthday is also the anniversary of her death."

Eve Vaughn was stunned. A bitter, heart-wrenching ache spread through her chest.

Her voice was subdued as she asked, "Then... what are you planning for his birthday this year?"

Eric Kendall explained, "Usually, it’s just a few of us close friends getting together for some cake. Nothing special. But this year, we have you, don’t we? If you’re willing to cooperate, I want to give him a surprise."

"What kind of surprise?"

Eve Vaughn looked at him curiously.

Eric Kendall said thoughtfully, "I remember you used to study piano with Mia Kendall, right? I think you two met during your lessons, didn’t you?"

Eve Vaughn was surprised Eric Kendall knew so much about Mia’s past.

She sighed. "That was a long time ago. After my father passed away, I didn’t really play anymore."

Because Charlotte Vaughn couldn’t play, she was jealous and would always pick fights, claiming Eve’s playing disturbed her rest.

Later, Lana Chambers just went and sold the piano!

Eric Kendall said, "That’s fine. As long as you have the foundation, it’s all good. I’ll find you a piano teacher, and we’ll cram for a week to get you back in shape. For the rest, just leave it to me!"

As she was leaving, Eric Kendall called out to her, "Hey, let’s add each other on WeChat! I really don’t want to have to ask that brat Mia for your number again."

"Don’t talk about Mia like that!"

Eve Vaughn said protectively, "If you were nicer to Mia and her mother, your relationship with her wouldn’t be this bad. You know exactly how you bully her."

Eric Kendall waved his hand dismissively. "Alright, alright, you’re always right! Just take out your phone and add me on WeChat."

For the sake of giving Mason Lawson a proper birthday, Eve Vaughn put her reservations aside and added Eric Kendall on WeChat.

After Eve Vaughn left, Eric Kendall started a video call with Jonah Spencer and Hamilton Hale.

"Guys, it’s all taken care of!"

Eric Kendall said smugly, "Just imagine it: on Mason’s birthday, Eve Vaughn wears the same outfit Joanna Sullivan wore when she first met Mason, playing the same song that made him fall for her at first sight. How romantic is that!"

Jonah Spencer was the first to voice his doubts. "Why do I get the feeling this is a terrible idea? Back then, Joanna Sullivan had already accepted Mason’s proposal. Mason had even sent out the wedding invitations when she suddenly changed her mind, flew abroad, and left him completely shattered. And now you want to attack him with old memories? You call that a surprise?"

Eric Kendall shot back, "What do you know? Haven’t you noticed how much Eve Vaughn looks like Joanna Sullivan? If Mason was really over Joanna, would he keep a green-as-grass girl like Eve by his side? I bet you Mason still has a thing for Joanna. He’s just using Eve to see Joanna’s shadow."

Hamilton Hale agreed. "I think Eric has a point. That Eve Vaughn girl really is a dead ringer for Joanna Sullivan. And don’t forget, she’s Julian Lawson’s ex-girlfriend. If she hadn’t gotten lucky by looking like Joanna, do you really think a man as proud as Mason would take his nephew’s leftovers?"

Eric Kendall made the final call. "Alright, majority rules. It’s decided! I guarantee this year’s birthday for Mason will be a resounding success."

Jonah Spencer warned him again, "Just don’t take it too far."

Eric Kendall winked his charming eyes at him. "Don’t worry, we’re all respectable gentlemen here!"

And so, for the next week, Eve Vaughn began a routine of going to a piano studio to practice every day after school.

She hadn’t touched a piano in a long time, so her fingers were stiff. She had to practice until ten-thirty every night before going home.

After all, she genuinely wanted to thank Mason Lawson for all his help and give him a warm, happy birthday in her own way. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

...

「The Villa.」

Mason Lawson sat in the living room, glanced at his watch, and frowned deeply.

The past few days, he’d had social engagements and a heavy workload at the company, so Eve Vaughn had always gotten home a few minutes before him.

Today, he had come home a bit early, but to his surprise, he’d been back for almost three hours and there was still no sign of Eve Vaughn.

Mason Lawson called for Mrs. Linton and asked, "Has Eve Vaughn been coming home this late these past few days?"

Mrs. Linton thought for a moment. "Yes, it’s been several days in a row now. Miss Vaughn seems to be getting home after eleven. I asked her about it, and she said it’s because exams are coming up, so she’s been at school for evening study sessions."

Mason Lawson nodded thoughtfully, then went back to his study and took out a spare phone.

Posing as her ’Uncle,’ he sent Eve Vaughn a message: "Busy with your studies lately? Make sure you get some rest."

She replied quickly: "Thank you for your concern, Uncle. I’m not busy."

Mason Lawson’s frown deepened. He sent another message: "Aren’t your exams coming up soon?"

Before long, she replied again: "I just finished my midterms last week, so I can finally relax a little. You need to take care of yourself too, Uncle."

Mason Lawson tossed the phone into a drawer, feeling a mix of confusion and irritation.

’So, that means the girl isn’t at school for evening study sessions at all? And her exams are already over? Then what on earth has she been doing, coming home in the middle of the night every day?’

He slowly paced to the window and happened to see a car stop near the villa.

The distance was too great for Mason Lawson to make out the car’s model or license plate, but he could clearly see the figure getting out of the car was Eve Vaughn.

A moment later, Eve Vaughn entered the villa’s courtyard, and the car drove away.

Mason Lawson’s gaze suddenly darkened. He left the study and went straight downstairs.

Just then, Eve Vaughn walked in through the front door.