Yancy Shaw held his phone, cold fury radiating from him the moment he learned someone had sent flowers to Lauren Shaw. Even those sitting beside him could clearly sense the chill in the air.

“Well, if it isn’t my nephew-in-law. What a coincidence.”

Yancy Shaw lifted his gaze; some of that icy edge faded from his eyes, but Owen Shaw certainly still felt it.

“What brings you to East China? Where’s Sheng?” Owen Shaw craned his neck, peering around in search of Lauren Shaw.

“Uncle, Sheng didn’t come,” Yancy Shaw replied politely, addressing him as he should.

“Yancheng,” called Mona Lane as she approached from a short distance away.

“Didn’t come?” Owen Shaw briefly glanced at the woman who greeted them, then turned back, sizing Yancy Shaw up from head to toe.

They were sitting in the hotel lobby. Owen Shaw had been here earlier for a luncheon gathering, and just happened to spot Yancy Shaw resting in the lounge area. Now, with another woman showing up, he couldn’t help but question the situation...

“Sorry about bothering you so late last night—it’s my own clumsy fault,” Mona Lane said awkwardly, continuing on her own.

Last night? What’s this all about? Owen Shaw’s face all but spelled out ‘gossip’ in bold letters.

“Dr. Lin, it’d be best not to use my name so casually while we’re out. We’re just colleagues,” Yancy Shaw corrected her flatly.

Some colleagues from the conference were also seated in the lounge.

Being shot down in public, Mona Lane’s face fell; she forced a smile, embarrassment flushed across her features.

Owen Shaw wasn’t dense—he’d caught on to Yancy Shaw’s meaning at once. No wonder Lauren Shaw liked him. Yancheng was never one to string people along if he didn’t care.

“So how come you didn’t tell me you were coming to East China this time?” Owen Shaw asked.

“I’m here for a conference. I’ll be headed back in a few days,” Yancy Shaw explained.

Mona Lane stood awkwardly to one side, unable to interject. As the daughter of a hospital shareholder, she’d never been humiliated like this before. Seeing Yancy Shaw refuse to even look at her, her resentment boiled.

“We’re colleagues, but you really have to treat me like this? After all these years working together, am I not even allowed to call your name?”

Their conversation was interrupted; Owen Shaw’s expression was full of confusion. What sort of drama was this now?

Yancy Shaw remained calm—compared to Mona Lane’s teary eyes, he looked utterly unbothered, as if her words had nothing to do with him at all.

“Since we’re colleagues, you should keep your distance and your emotions in check. I’m married. There’s no reason you should waste your thoughts on me.”

His meaning was crystal clear—over the years, he’d seen through her intentions completely, and he rejected her without any ambiguity. But Mona Lane, convinced she’d be the exception, refused to believe it.

She was at a loss for words. Mona Lane knew Yancy Shaw was always blunt, never leaving anyone with any room for hope, but she hadn’t guessed he’d be this ruthless to her as well.

Tears brimmed in her eyes. Seeing she was about to break down, Owen Shaw pulled a tissue from his pocket and, trying to console her, said, “Miss, forgive him—my nephew-in-law’s always been awfully harsh with his words. Don’t take it personally.”

Mona Lane froze, her hand halfway to the tissue, then covered her mouth and rushed off in tears.

“Hey, why’d she run off?” Owen Shaw called after her, then turned back to Yancy Shaw. “You sure have quite the luck with ladies. Shame Sheng isn’t here; I’d love to see her get jealous for once.”

“Would it really make much difference if you saw it?”

Owen Shaw clicked his tongue. “Come on. You think I’d keep that to myself? Of course, I’d report back to Sheng! A juicy story like that’s not something to keep for myself.”

—

“Sheng, something big’s happened! Someone’s published an article accusing you of plagiarism—it’s all over the internet!” Sisi rushed over, phone in hand.

Lauren Shaw took her phone and read the trending headline: ‘Original Design Competition Winner Lauren Shaw Accused of Plagiarism’.

“The latest viral variety show’s champion designer suspected of plagiarism, and may not have even met the entry requirements—rumored behind-the-scenes manipulation…”

Lauren Shaw scrolled and read the text aloud.

“What a load of nonsense!” she fumed, tossing the phone aside. The content was infuriating—not only was she accused of plagiarism, but also painted as having ‘a relationship’ with the sponsor, even suggesting she was being kept as someone’s mistress.

Someone had even posted a photo of her eating in a private room with her uncle, going so far as to blur out Owen Shaw’s back to fuel wild speculation.

Who had that much time to waste?

“Sheng, everyone online’s turning against you. I tried to speak up just now, and the comment section was instantly overrun.” Xiaomei shut off her phone in frustration, watching the wave of public condemnation take hold.

“How can a few of us fight back against people like that?” Maya Wells sighed. Still, she continued arguing with commenters online.

“Let me handle it. We’ve got orders to fill. Don’t let this mess distract you,” Lauren Shaw reassured them.

Sisi looked at her guiltily. “Sheng, I didn’t—”

“I know it wasn’t you.” Lauren Shaw patted her shoulder.

—

Shengmei Group’s management convened an emergency meeting.

The high-level executives—already unhappy with her—saw this scandal as a perfect excuse. Each one was eager to kick her while she was down.

Mandy Snow eyed Bryce Shaw, who hadn’t said a word, and made her position clear: “I suggest we immediately announce that Lauren Shaw has no affiliation with our company. Otherwise, this will surely damage our reputation.”

The others all chimed in their agreement.

Bryce Shaw remained silent, but it was obvious what they wanted: get rid of Lauren Shaw.

Mandy Snow kept her eyes on him—there was nothing else she needed to do. Plenty of people wanted Lauren Shaw out even more than she did.

Bryce Shaw tapped his fingers slowly on the table, one tap after another. Only when the noisy room quieted down did he speak.

“Are you finished?” Bryce Shaw glanced at them with a chilly indifference. He wasn’t angry, but his gaze was cold as frost.

“Lauren Shaw is one of our designers. Now that there’s a problem, all you can think to do is throw her out? Is that the standard of this company?”

Mandy Snow replied without missing a beat, “The only way to solve this is to cut ties with her completely. That’s the only way to protect ourselves.”

—

Lauren Shaw called Chris Cooper.

He picked up, but there were clear sounds of commotion behind him.

“Miss Li, the company’s in a meeting,” he said quickly.

“Assistant Cui, I did not plagiarize.” Lauren Shaw knew her explanation was weak—this was just the beginning, and already someone had stooped this low.

“Of course I believe you,” Chris Cooper replied. “Public opinion’s only just exploded; the company’s already involved. Don’t worry, this will all be handled soon.”

Lauren Shaw knew he was just trying to reassure her. In a situation like this, the company would probably be happier to distance themselves from her.