Shen Yanchén said nothing more and turned to leave the director’s office.

As soon as he stepped out, he ran into Mona Lane coming toward him.

After hearing that Shen Yanchén had returned, she rushed back from Huadong as well.

Without sparing her a glance, Shen Yanchén walked past her toward the elevator.

"Dr. Shen, can I have a word with you?" Mona Lane called after him.

Shen Yanchén paused, but didn’t turn around. "What is it?"

Seeing that he wouldn’t even look at her, Mona Lane felt a stab of annoyance, but managed to walk up to face him with patience.

"I know you’re not feeling great right now. I saw what’s trending online. They’re obviously targeting you on purpose. You need someone who can help you. As long as you clear things up, you can stay in the hospital."

Her meaning was clear enough—she wanted him to swallow his pride and ask her for help. Of course, she had her own conditions.

Shen Yanchén finally looked at her, his eyes utterly cold.

Mona Lane thought he was finally taking her words to heart and felt a flush of happiness.

"Thank you for your kind offer, Dr. Lin, but I don’t need it." With that, he strode away.

Flinging out her arms to stop him, Mona Lane’s tone grew urgent.

"I know you’re a genius in the medical field, but once public opinion online gathers momentum, it could seriously impact your career! Just say the word and I’ll help you."

Shen Yanchén brusquely pushed her arm aside, leaving her with only his indifferent back.

Fuming, Mona Lane called after him, "Are you really just going to let online outrage ruin you?"

With no response from him, Mona Lane muttered under her breath, "Fine! Play noble all you want. Let’s see you begging me for help then."

To her, Shen Yanchén was just an ordinary attending physician—good-looking, sure, but otherwise nothing special.

She was different: the beloved daughter of a hospital shareholder. Liking him was already letting him save face, yet he couldn’t even appreciate that, much less treat her with modesty during such dire times. Truly ungrateful.

Back in his office, Shen Yanchén saw a call from Lauren Shaw. He called her back immediately.

She picked up almost instantly. "Honey, how are you right now?"

Lauren Shaw’s voice was tight with worry. She sounded like she’d come rushing over in person if she could.

Hearing her concern, Shen Yanchén chuckled lightly. "It’s nothing—really. Did you forget your husband’s worth a fortune?"

This kind of thing didn’t faze him at all. He’d expected Yvonne Sung to pull this trick. With someone as petty as that, if he could do such things to Lauren Shaw, what couldn’t he do?

Lauren Shaw knew he was just trying to soothe her, but still couldn’t help feeling bad. "I’m sorry. This whole mess wasn’t your fault, but you still got dragged in."

"Silly girl, we’re husband and wife—husband and wife are meant to be one. Don’t blame yourself. I’ll be home soon."

With that, he grabbed his keys and left the hospital.

--

Lauren Shaw opened her social media account. Even though she had never posted before, she had gathered a fair number of followers, mostly fans who’d discovered her through TV programs.

She thought about it, then decided to issue a statement, planning to clarify things with Yvonne Sung first, then address Yana Quinn.

Lauren Shaw V: [After Ms. Qiao graduated, she chose to go abroad and broke up with Mr. Su. By the time I met Mr. Su, he was single. There was no 'homewrecking.' Half a month before our wedding, Ms. Qiao returned to China and even moved into Mr. Su’s place. When I found out, I called off the engagement. But Ms. Qiao wouldn’t let it go and maliciously spread rumors that I'd interfered. I didn’t respond at the time.

Recently, the internet accused me of plagiarism. Those design drawings were leaked by Mr. Su, because I’d once logged into my email on his computer.

Last night, my husband did, in fact, confront him physically. The reason? Mr. Su cornered me in a room. Tell me, would any husband just stand by and watch?

I didn’t want this to become such a public spectacle, but some people are intent on making trouble for me, and now it’s affecting my husband as well. If it were just me, fine—but my husband is only dragged into this because of me. Mr. Su, you sold my design drafts and still want to defame me and my husband—how can your conscience not hurt?]

Satisfied, she hit publish.

Not long after posting, Shen Yanchén returned home.

Lauren Shaw looked at him guiltily.

He pulled her gently into his arms. "Didn’t I tell you not to blame yourself? Why the long face?"

She wrapped her arms around his waist and said listlessly, "The hospital management probably scolded you, didn’t they? Otherwise, you wouldn’t be home so early."

"You want to know what Mona Lane said to me?" Shen Yanchén tried to distract her.

At the mention of Mona Lane, Lauren Shaw came alive as if instantly recharged. "What did she say?"

Her reaction made Shen Yanchén feel a lot better. "She said if I just asked, she could make all this go away."

"Wow, she’s sure eager to help you out," Lauren Shaw replied, her tone tinged with jealousy.

"Shengsheng, I really don’t care what others say. I care only about what you think. Other people’s opinions don’t matter to me." In his mind, his world held only her—her feelings were all that mattered. He didn’t want her mood spoiled by that tiresome woman.

Lauren Shaw tightened her arms around his waist, rubbing her cheek against his chest like a little kitten.

"I just posted a statement online—don’t know if it’ll get much attention." Maybe it wouldn’t change much, but she just couldn’t stand to see anyone slandering Shen Yanchén.

"It’s already gone viral." Shen Yanchén had just seen it taking off before stepping into the elevator.

In barely ten minutes, it was trending at number one.

Of course, Claire Xu and Li Qiuchi helped, too.

Within moments of Lauren Shaw’s post, Claire Xu and Li Qiuchi had both shared it.

Claire Xu added: Cheating scumbag, leaking designs, and locking someone in a room—every bit of it is true. Then he tries to play the victim? Disgusting.

Li Qiuchi’s repost: I can’t stand men like this—absolutely rotten. Straight to hell with him.

Thanks to these celebrities, Lauren Shaw’s post caught fire across the internet.

In the comments, plenty of people spoke up in her defense—most of them probably acquaintances.

Shen Yanchén pulled her close again. "You didn’t have to do this. I could have found someone to handle it."

These kinds of scandals fade soon enough. There was no need to pay them any mind.

He didn’t want her to dredge up those three years with Yvonne Sung for the public. She wasn’t to blame—she’d just trusted the wrong person.

Lauren Shaw shook her head. "That’s not the same. Even if people forget, someone could dig it up again later. If I keep quiet, they’ll really think I’m easy to bully."