Yvonne Sung was standing beneath the apartment building where he thought Lauren Shaw still lived. In reality, she had long since moved in with Yancy Shaw.

Hugo Pierce found him squatting gloomily by the flowerbeds, a thoroughly smashed cell phone on the ground beside him.

Hugo Pierce parked his car as Yana Quinn ran over to Yuche’s side.

"Yuche."

Hearing her voice, Yvonne Sung lifted his head and looked at her. "Yan Yan, what are you doing here?"

"She said you hadn’t come home this late and was worried about you, so she called and asked me to look for you."

He’d been getting ready to turn in for the night when Yana Quinn called, her voice tearful as she told him she couldn’t find Yvonne Sung anywhere and he wasn’t answering his phone. She was scared something had happened to him.

Heh—what trouble could a grown man possibly get into?

But now that they’d found him, his part in this was over; time to head home and sleep.

Yana Quinn flung herself into Yvonne Sung’s arms, sobbing, and he gently comforted her.

Hugo Pierce, watching this, felt like he needed to rinse his eyes.

Give all your bad temper to Lauren Shaw, and save your gentleness for Yana Quinn? Honestly, Yvonne Sung really knew how to play favorites.

Trying to play the field but ending up a total loser.

When Hugo Pierce told Claire Xu about this, Claire Xu snorted coldly and cursed, "That dog of a man—I’d like to smash his face in."

Shameless doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Meanwhile, Yancy Shaw set his phone aside and looked at Lauren Shaw, gently pulling her into his arms.

"Don’t be sad. Liking someone like him wasn’t your fault."

He stroked her hair with a soft, warm voice.

He was afraid she’d feel hurt. After all, Yvonne Sung was someone she’d loved for three years.

Lauren Shaw hadn’t expected that after hanging up the call, Yancy Shaw would still turn to comfort her.

Curled up in his embrace, she took in the gentle sandalwood scent on him, feeling a peace she couldn’t quite explain.

"I’m not upset; he can’t affect my mood anymore." Someone who was irrelevant to her could no longer matter.

On the contrary, she was worried he might overthink it.

"You—"

"I won’t," he interrupted.

Lauren Shaw wanted to tell him not to be angry, but hadn’t even finished her thought before he’d already read her mind.

"I won’t doubt you just because of a few words from him. We’re husband and wife—aren’t we supposed to be one? If I didn’t trust you, how could I call myself your husband?"

Finally, after everything, his little rabbit was securely in his arms; there was no way he’d let go of her so easily.

Yvonne Sung wasn’t just a bad ex—he was absolute scum.

A decent ex would at least part civilly, instead of slandering someone after she’d moved on to a new beginning.

He just couldn’t stand the idea of Lauren Shaw being happy. Even if he himself was miserable, he wanted to drag her down with him. How was that any different from being pure trash?

Lauren Shaw hugged Yancy Shaw tighter, nestling closer to him. "I thought you’d get angry."

Now he understood why she’d been so careful when he answered the call earlier—she was afraid he’d be upset by Yvonne Sung’s words.

"How could I?"

"I’m not angry. I just hurt for you—for those three years you suffered so much before I was around."

"Yancy Shaw, you’re really wonderful."

Her voice was soft as she shifted in his embrace, nestling her upper body against his chest.

She was still lost in what he’d said, not bothered in the slightest by how close they were.

They’d been intimate before, so snuggling like this just felt natural to her.

But Yancy Shaw felt differently. Her soft, fragrant body—just the light touch of her hair was enough to set his mind racing.

"So, do you want to give me a reward?"

His voice was husky as he breathed in her scent, his throat growing tight.

"What kind of reward do you want?" She really couldn’t think of anything suitable.

The corners of his lips lifted slightly. "Anything at all?"

Lauren Shaw didn’t sense the meaning behind his question, so she nodded. "Sure."

And the moment the words left her lips, she felt like she’d walked into his trap.

He leaned in close, murmuring by her ear, "Then I want a kiss from you."

Lauren Shaw raised her brows. That’s it?

She laughed softly and leaned in, pressing a kiss to his cheek.

"That’s all?" Yancy Shaw arched an eyebrow, clearly not satisfied.

She remembered how he’d kissed her on the sofa last time, and started wondering—did he want something like that?

Imitating his moves from that day, she braced her hands on his chest, shifted to straddle his lap, her red lips slowly drawing closer…

How could Yancy Shaw possibly resist such a tempting tease? His little bunny was inexperienced but so eager, lighting a fire inside him with just a touch.

He wrapped his arms around Lauren Shaw and, with a swift motion, laid her onto the sofa, her head resting on its plush armrest.

She was a vision lying beneath him—her body radiated irresistible charm, her big eyes shimmering with mist, her cheeks blushing rose.

Bracing himself on either side of her, he tried to put some distance between them, but Lauren Shaw just hugged his waist closer.

Her response was an irresistible invitation. "Are you sure about this?" he asked, voice thick with desire.

Lauren Shaw gazed at him with misty tenderness. She knew exactly what she wanted.

"Don’t you want to?"

She didn’t realize just how much power those words had for Yancy Shaw. Right now, she was like a flower bud about to bloom, waiting for his nurture.

All composure left Yancy Shaw in an instant—he wanted only her.

Lauren Shaw’s small hands slid beneath his shirt, exploring taut muscles—it was impossible to ignore just how perfect his body was. And it wasn’t just looks: he had real stamina.

The sofa was too cramped for what he wanted to do. He scooped her up and carried her into the bedroom, kicking the door shut and locking it behind them.

The room was soon filled with heat and passion…

—

Afterward, Lauren Shaw lay sprawled on the bed, unwilling to even move a finger.

Yancy Shaw rested his head on his hand, lying on his side to gaze at her.

Just thinking of how she’d clung to him, whispering soft cries, made his heart feel as if it were being gently scratched by a kitten.

He remembered her chat with Claire Xu, when she’d questioned whether he only pretended not to desire her, or if he had some hidden medical issue.

Well… that matter had been more than settled tonight—she could be the judge of that.

The next morning.

Lauren Shaw opened her eyes to find it was nearly midday.

Remembering the night before, her cheeks flushed bright red.

Yancy Shaw always gave off a distant, unattainable air—but in bed, he was utterly, overwhelmingly passionate.

She’d ended up begging him for mercy, and he’d pretended not to hear, making her try all sorts of positions.

He’d coaxed her in a low voice, promising it’d be just a few more minutes—but those few minutes seemed never-ending.

Claire Xu had been right: the colder and more restrained a man seemed, the crazier he became once he gave in.

"Awake?"

Lauren Shaw turned her head. Yancy Shaw was leaning against the doorway, those deep-set eyes crinkling with a smile.

That look…

She reacted as if startled, squeezing her eyes shut and rolling over to avoid his gaze.

Yancy Shaw’s smile grew even deeper.

He was still in an excellent mood after thinking of how bold she’d been last night.