He used to be one of Lauren Shaw's most ardent admirers; back then, he went to great lengths to court her.

Unaware of the situation, Lauren Shaw sat a short distance away, fixing her gaze in their direction. Because he had his back to her, she didn’t recognize him right away.

Claire Xu shot her a look, signaling for her to leave quickly.

But Lauren Shaw misunderstood, thinking Claire Xu wanted her to come over and help.

"Sheng Sheng’s a bit tied up right now," Claire Xu said with a smile. "What brings you here today?"

Ian Lawrence winked at her. "I’m here for a blind date."

That flirtatious wink sent a chill bump over Claire Xu’s arms. She forced a stiff grin. "All these years, and you’re still as smooth as ever."

And his ‘smooth’ was the kind that didn’t care if it killed someone out of embarrassment.

"You don’t get it—this isn’t being oily, it’s called showing off my charm."

Ah, such irresistible charm, with nowhere to put it.

Lauren Shaw could see how comfortable the atmosphere was between them. She found it odd. Wasn’t the blind date supposed to be with some notorious playboy? Why did it seem like they were just chatting away?

Noticing Claire Xu’s gaze darting repeatedly over his shoulder as if she sensed something, Ian Lawrence turned—and immediately spotted Lauren Shaw not far away.

He stood up happily and walked toward her.

"Lauren Shaw, long time no see."

Lauren Shaw stared in shock. Why him? For the first time, she felt the world was way too small.

Claire Xu sidled up and whispered in her ear, "If I’d known the blind date was him, I wouldn’t have asked you to come with me…"

Apparently overhearing, Ian Lawrence came out with his real reason. "I’m here for Lauren Shaw."

Lauren Shaw: "…"

Claire Xu: "…"

"For me?" Lauren Shaw was utterly bewildered.

"I’m not the one meeting Claire Xu on this blind date—it’s my older brother. He refused to come and argued with the family…" Ian Lawrence paused, then went on, "When I heard Claire Xu was the date, I thought—surely you’d be here too. Looks like my hunch was right."

His eyes could hardly hide his excitement.

Lauren Shaw and Claire Xu exchanged glances.

"How were you so sure I’d be here?"

Ian Lawrence’s burning stare was so intense, Lauren Shaw turned her face away in discomfort.

Back in sophomore year, he’d confessed to her at the welcome party—all of campus knew Ian Lawrence liked Lauren Shaw. But Lauren Shaw was completely unreceptive; no matter how aggressively he chased, she stayed indifferent.

Word of his public rejection spread, and faced with a bruised ego, Ian Lawrence went abroad to study. He was gone for five years.

Now, even his features hinted at a more mature, steady air.

"My older brother has a terrible reputation. I figured you’d never let Claire Xu show up here alone."

Claire Xu looked at him with a touch of resignation. Sigh—yet another hopeless romantic.

Lauren Shaw was still thinking how to respond when Ian Lawrence whipped out his phone and asked for her contact info.

Seeing how excited he was, Claire Xu spoke up to burst his bubble: "Ian Lawrence, Sheng Sheng is married now."

The message was clear: time to rein in those little schemes.

The smile froze on Ian Lawrence's face. "Mar-married?"

"Yes, we registered not long ago," Lauren Shaw said, her face breaking into a smile at the mention.

Light faded bit by bit from Ian Lawrence’s eyes.

After their meal, Ian Lawrence insisted on sending her home, but she declined.

Watching her walk away, Ian Lawrence couldn’t help feeling a pang of regret. He’d thought he’d chase her down for sure this time. But before he could even make a move, that tiny flame of hope was completely extinguished.

In the car, Claire Xu burst out laughing.

Lauren Shaw shot her a puzzled look. "What’s so funny?"

Claire Xu turned, smirking. "You’ve got a real talent for attracting admirers. It’s been five years and Ian Lawrence still hasn’t gotten over you!"

She teased, then gave a little sigh, "But you two really just lacked that something."

"What something?"

"Fate! Don’t you think? If you’d been with Ian Lawrence back then, you probably never would’ve met Yvonne Sung." Ian Lawrence might have been a bit too slick, but his feelings for Lauren Shaw were sincere—or he wouldn’t have confessed in front of the whole school.

Even if he’d ended up humiliated after being turned down.

Who would’ve guessed that after five years abroad, he’d still seek her out?

"You know, maybe some things are just destined."

Thinking about it, Lauren Shaw agreed. It was like her and Yancy Shaw—once Heaven decided she was to meet him, there was no escape.

Claire Xu stroked her chin, pretending to ponder. "If you’d accepted Ian Lawrence back then, you wouldn’t have met Yvonne Sung, and maybe not even Yancy Shaw two years later."

Of course, all this was just speculation. Lauren Shaw’s personality was single-minded and stubborn—she always followed her heart, and when she felt something, she’d drop all pride and pursue it.

But if she didn’t care for someone, giving her your heart was pointless.

That’s fate for you—it really is something mysterious.

No wonder Yancy Shaw said: appearing in her life now was the very best thing.

Lauren Shaw thought about it for a moment. "Not necessarily—meeting Yancy Shaw, that was fate, too."

Every time Yancy Shaw’s name came up, her face would soften with warmth.

Claire Xu couldn’t stand it. She quickly changed the subject, "Stop right there! No more of this lovey-dovey stuff around me!"

Lauren Shaw let out a gentle laugh.

After parting ways with Claire Xu, she drove to Shengmei Group headquarters.

Chris Cooper had called her moments earlier, saying there was an important meeting she needed to attend as a newly signed designer.

Rows of executives sat waiting as she entered the conference room.

Mandy Snow watched her every move as soon as she walked in.

Chris Cooper introduced Lauren Shaw’s role to everyone. Even as a signed designer, she spent much of her time working independently in her own studio, while the company handled the branding.

"I’ve heard your studio’s only been around for three years," Mandy Snow questioned. "I’m curious—what’s your vision for your brand’s future?"

Her words instantly drew skeptical looks from around the room.

Everyone knew the competition required brands to have been established for at least five years.

By that standard, she clearly didn’t qualify.

Lauren Shaw looked calmly at Mandy Snow, who only smirked back, openly provocative.

She was obviously trying to make things difficult for her.

"I remember the rule—brands have to be over five years old to qualify. Why is Designer Li allowed to bend the rules? And she’s under contract now, too?"

Someone voiced the doubts on everyone’s mind.

The conference room buzzed with whispered debates.

Chris Cooper stepped in, his voice official and authoritative, "Since Ms. Li distinguished herself from all the other designers, it’s clear she brings something unique. Let’s not speculate further. Why not let’s hear her proposal next?"