<h4>Chapter 296: Humorous Tactics</h4><subtxt> Mason’s flirtatious eyes sparkled as he spotted E, shing her a bright smile, as if the past events had never even happened. Truly shameless.


    Behind him trailed a bodyguard and a woman in a floral dress.


    E smirked faintly—Rachel had actuallytched onto Mason? Well, perfect—a maniptive "white lotus" and a despicable man. They really were a match made in heaven!


    With Rachel here as well, could she take them both down in one go?


    "Well, well, Mr. Nelson, Miss Davis, what a coincidence! We meet again. Fate must really want us to cross paths!" Mason said with a fake smile, approaching them.


    E’s face remained cold, her smile dripping with sarcasm. "Mr. Scott, Miss Rachel—what a perfect pair. Yourbined moral standards could really open anyone’s eyes to a whole new level of absurdity."


    Rachel’s face turned red. She was only here because Leah had ordered her to apany Mason. She had made the first move to cozy up to him, and to her surprise, he had brought her along to Silver Creek Valley!


    "Miss Davis, you must be joking. I’m truly ttered by such high praise!" Mason’s skin was thick—despite knowing full well E was insulting him, he didn’t get angry and instead grinned as if he were genuinely pleased.


    Eric shot Mason a sidelong nce. "Mason, you’ve really got a death wish, showing up here on your own. I was nning to give you a bit more time to stumble around before finishing you off."


    Mason calmly took a seat at an empty table nearby, and Rachel followed, sitting down with a timid expression.


    Just looking at her irritated E—this time, she was determined to make her pay.


    Amelia leaned over to whisper in E’s ear, "Ugh, that fake little snake is so annoying. Let’s team up and crush her!"


    E couldn’t help but burst intoughter.


    Only Amelia could match her wavelength like this!


    Mason chuckled lightly, his eyes glinting with cold malice. "Mr. Nelson, it’s a bit early to be so sure of yourself. We’ll see who gets thestugh."


    Just then, the shop owner came over. Rachel ordered a few snacks, while Mason casually asked for some drinks.


    "Watch and see," Eric said, smiling mysteriously. He was very familiar with Silver Creek Valley, having spent a few months here with Richard back during his school days, so he knew the area well.


    E nced at Eric curiously and whispered, "Aren’t you angry?"


    Eric smiled softly. "Oh, I’m angry, but my IQ won’t let me do anything reckless."


    E blinked. True—no matter how much Eric disliked Mason, he wasn’t going to lose his cool and start a fight with him.


    She casually turned to look out the window, where an elderly man was selling candied fruit skewers. A smile crept across her face as an idea to deal with Rachel began to form.


    Richard shot Mason a re. "You’re delusional. E would never be interested in you!"


    Mason, however, was full of confidence. "I believe that day wille."


    E rolled her eyes. She knew this man wasn’t truly interested in her.


    At the very least, theplexity in his gaze had no ce in anything resembling love.


    "Mr. Scott, it seems you’ve developed a serious case of delusion. You should really get that checked out," E said, not even looking up as she delicately picked up a meatball with her fork and took a small bite.


    That move made Eric’s throat tighten, and his voice turned icy. "Don’t eat like that. Let me cut it up for you."


    With that, the possessive man picked up a fork and cut the beef meatball in half for her.


    E stared at him, a little stunned.


    What’s gotten into him? What’s wrong with eating the way I was?


    Feeling Mason’s eyes on her, E suddenly lost any desire to keep talking to Eric. It was as if Mason was constantly watching her every move.


    "Eric, that guy is unbearable!" E muttered softly.


    Eric nced at her. "Lost your appetite?"


    "I can’t eat with such a disgusting person around," she replied.


    "Then let’s go," Eric chuckled, though E couldn’t help but nce wistfully at the table full of untouched food. What a shame!


    Eric smiled and tapped her nose affectionately. "Don’t worry. You’ll have plenty of chances to eatter. But with so many flies around, this ce isn’t really fit for dining."


    His words were pointed, carrying an unmistakable undertone.


    Rachel’s face flushed red as she watched Eric’s retreating figure longingly.


    Once Eric left, Richard and Amelia naturally followed. Rachel’s gaze lingered on Eric’s back until he disappeared from view, her heart aching. Every time she saw him, she wished she could be the woman by his side.


    "Had enough staring? If you really want him, you better start behaving yourself," Mason said coldly.


    Rachel quickly nodded. "Yes, Mr. Scott, I understand!"


    She felt uneasy. Why had this unpredictable man taken an interest in her? Perhaps he had figured out what kind of person she really was?


    Meanwhile...


    Eric and E strolled down the street until they stopped in front of a young man from Country Y. Eric began speaking to him in English, pointing discreetly towards the restaurant where Mason was sitting.


    The window gave E a clear view—inside, Mason was angrily scolding Rachel.


    E’s foreignnguage wasn’t great, but she understood enough of Eric’s words to realize that he was sending the young man to deal with Mason...


    Suddenly, she let out a smallugh. Eric was truly devious!


    The man from Country Y patted Eric on the shoulder excitedly, giving him a thumbs-up before making a phone call. Then, with great enthusiasm, he headed into the restaurant.


    The man approached Mason with a smile, cing a friendly hand on his shoulder and, to E’s amusement, another hand on Mason’s face!


    Rachel stared, dumbfounded.


    Mason shouted in foreignnguage, "Sir! You’ve got the wrong person! I’m not gay, so please take your hands off me!"


    The young man blushed and smiled shyly. "No, no, there’s no mistake. Just outside, someone told me his family wouldn’t let you two be together, so he had to break up with you. But don’t worry, darling, I’m here tofort you!"


    Mason’s face twisted in rage, and he angrily shoved the man’s hands off.


    The young man’s eyes narrowed, immediately filling with displeasure.


    "Sir, he’s lying to you! I have no interest in men!" Mason said in disgust, but the young man grew even more agitated.


    "Are you discriminating against gay people? That’s it, you’re asking for trouble!" the man yelled, throwing a punch at Mason.


    Mason’s bodyguards were shocked and rushed forward to intervene.


    However, two more men quickly stormed into the restaurant. Seeing their friend under attack, they became furious and jumped into the fight.


    Rachel screamed in terror as the small restaurant erupted into chaos, with customers fleeing in every direction!</subtxt>