Claire Xu picked up the glass of red wine from the table and splashed it in his face.

"I really underestimated just how shameless you could be. Today has truly opened my eyes." Claire Xu slammed the wineglass down in anger. She'd only wanted to stand up for Lauren Shaw, but talking to this kind of scumbag was utterly revolting.

Yvonne Sung wiped the wine off his face with a tissue, his expression icy as he glared at her. "And what about Lauren Shaw? The minute she called off our engagement, she rushed to marry another man. Funny how you don't mention her at all."

Utterly shameless, beyond all limits.

Trying to reason with someone like that was pointless; his brazenness was simply jaw-dropping.

"You really have no shame."

"Look who's talking."

It was dinnertime now, and all the guests had taken their seats.

Claire Xu didn't push the issue any further and returned to her seat, though she was still dissatisfied. She hadn't even put her full energy into rebuking him—she really should have scolded him properly.

"Don't let that kind of person get to you," Lauren Shaw said, knowing Claire Xu was angry on her behalf. She poured her a glass of wine to help her cool off.

"Why would I waste my breath on such scum? I'm just upset for you. You spent three years with someone like that, only for him to turn around and try to ruin your career. He's trash through and through—there's nothing he wouldn't stoop to."

At this point, Ian Lawrence was off greeting guests, and Sophia Chandler had wandered somewhere else to join the fun.

The banquet was getting livelier, with more and more familiar faces appearing.

The Xu family had all shown up; Old Xu and May Lee were sitting at the table with the Lawrence family's elders.

Hannah Xu spotted Claire Xu from across the room. She was especially well-dressed today, obviously here with an agenda.

Whatever she said to May Lee, she clutched her skirt and strode purposefully towards them.

She took a seat beside Claire Xu, shooting Lauren Shaw a venomous, mocking look. "Miss Li, I hear you’ve been embroiled in quite a few scandals lately. Surprised you’ve got the nerve to show your face in public."

"Mind your own damn business!" Claire Xu shot her a warning glare.

But that look had no effect on Hannah Xu whatsoever.

All she wanted was to get under Claire Xu's skin; the angrier she got, the happier Hannah Xu became.

Lauren Shaw continued to eat her fruit unhurriedly, her every movement graceful as ever. Only after wiping her hands with a tissue did she glance up at Hannah Xu.

"Hannah Xu, why does your face look even thinner than before? Been overdoing those slimming injections? Didn’t I tell you—don’t get too carried away with cosmetic procedures. Being a little unattractive is fine, but ugliness of character is something else."

Hannah Xu was stumped, feeling her own face guiltily. "What nonsense are you spouting? I haven’t had any work done!"

"No work done? Oh, then I must’ve been mistaken—I just didn’t realize you could look this ugly all natural."

"You—!" Hannah Xu was so furious she nearly jumped out of her seat.

Claire Xu laughed. "Shengsheng’s right, you know. Plastic surgery isn't shameful. Haven’t you had plenty done to yourself?"

Defeated, Hannah Xu stalked off toward May Lee’s table in a huff.

Claire Xu and Lauren Shaw were left with several unfamiliar socialites at their table, so their conversation quieted.

This kind of banquet was just dull and tedious—utterly lacking in interest.

Someone walked past behind her. A maid carrying a tray was jostled by someone, and the tray, laden with freshly poured wine glasses, wobbled in her hands. The wine spilled onto Lauren Shaw’s qipao.

"I’m so sorry, miss!"

The maid, clearly flustered, hurried to dab at the wine on Lauren Shaw's dress with some tissues.

The pale cream qipao was instantly stained a deep red at the waist.

Although her outfit wasn't as elaborately seductive as some, Lauren Shaw’s cool elegance was second to none.

Of course, now the dress was ruined by a large splotch of wine; it looked rather embarrassing.

Lauren Shaw felt a headache coming on, but the maid had obviously not meant any harm. She waved a hand. "It’s fine."

"Miss, could you please wait in the lounge for a moment? I’ll find you a clean outfit to change into." The maid was contrite.

Lauren Shaw wrapped her shawl around her shoulders and nodded. "Alright."

The maid led the way, and Lauren Shaw followed.

Although not as grand as the Shen family estate, the Lawrence family’s villa was still sizable.

The banquet was in the main hall, while the lounge was in an adjacent guesthouse.

"It’s right up ahead, Miss Li. Please come in," the maid said respectfully.

The Lawrence family’s staff seemed fairly well trained.

Once they entered the lounge, the maid excused herself. "Please wait here, Miss Li. I’ll fetch the clothes."

She shut the door behind her—and as Lauren Shaw heard the lock turn, an uneasy feeling welled up.

She hurried to the door, but it was locked from the outside. No matter what she tried, it wouldn't open.

"Open the door! Why did you lock me in here?" Lauren Shaw pounded on the door, demanding answers.

But there was only silence.

Ha! Lauren Shaw hadn’t anticipated something like this happening in the Liang house.

She'd left her phone on the banquet table—this guesthouse was a ways off from the main hall—even if she shouted, no one would hear.

All she could hope for was Claire Xu noticing her absence and coming to find her.

Quickly, she surveyed the room. They were on the third floor—jumping from a window was clearly out of the question.

Moments later, she heard a key turning at the door.

There was no time to think. She dashed into the bathroom and locked herself in.

It was likely the maid hadn't just locked her away for no reason—there had to be another motive. For now, hiding was the best option.

Someone entered the lounge, and she soon heard a voice making a phone call.

"She’s not here? Are you sure you brought her in already?"

It was Yvonne Sung’s voice.

What was he up to now?

She looked around the bathroom, searching for something—anything—to barricade the door.

If Claire Xu realized she’d been gone too long, she’d get suspicious. All Lauren Shaw needed to do was stall for time, until Claire Xu came looking for her.

Meanwhile, the party in the main hall was in full swing.

All eyes turned to the entrance as Ian Lawrence recognized the newcomers, surprise crossing his face. "Third Brother, Ming-ge!"

Henry Mills punched Ian Lawrence lightly in the chest. "You’re going all out for this birthday bash, aren’t you?"

"It's nothing," Ian Lawrence replied. He’d known them since childhood—they were both a few years older than him.

Yancy Shaw didn’t speak, just looked calmly at him, his gaze making Ian Lawrence slightly nervous.

"Come on in, seats are reserved for you."

Henry Mills hadn’t planned to come to the party, but when Yancy Shaw wanted to attend—against all odds—he’d decided to tag along.

The first thing he saw upon entering was Claire Xu, sitting at her table. Henry Mills’s eyes immediately lit up. "Claire Xu’s here too?"

"Claire Xu was my college classmate—I invited her," Ian Lawrence explained.

He hadn’t even finished before Henry Mills was already striding toward Claire Xu’s table.

Claire Xu hadn’t seen Lauren Shaw return yet, and she was starting to get anxious, stretching her neck to search the crowd.

"Who are you looking for?" Henry Mills’s big face popped into her line of sight, startling her.

"What are you doing? You scared me!" Claire Xu gasped.