If she didn’t come forward to clarify things this time, Yana Quinn and Yvonne Sung would never let up. In fact, they might get even bolder.
“I’m sorry for dragging you into this,” Lauren Shaw said, looking at him apologetically.
Yancy Shaw lightly patted her back. “No need to apologize. This wasn’t your fault to begin with.”
“But it all started because of me…” Yancy Shaw was genuinely a good man; he didn’t deserve to be misunderstood.
Yancy Shaw cupped her face with both hands, making her look into his eyes, his gaze full of tenderness. “You’re my wife. No matter what happens, I’ll always have your back. If I made you face things alone, what kind of man would I be?”
He wasn’t like Yvonne Sung, who would selfishly disregard her safety and wellbeing.
He couldn’t care less about public opinion. He’d been through life and death and had long since stopped worrying about something as insubstantial as a reputation.
To him, nothing mattered more than Lauren Shaw.
Resting in his arms, Lauren Shaw took a deep breath, comforted by his familiar scent. With him here, she felt completely at ease—she didn’t need to think about anything else.
Yana Quinn’s original plan was to take this opportunity to drag Lauren Shaw down into the mud, making it impossible for her to get back up, and to piggyback on the controversy herself for a boost of popularity.
But to her surprise, sympathy had still been pouring in for Lauren Shaw that very morning—yet by afternoon, the online tide had already turned.
【This sister is seriously badass. She forced the man to break off the engagement, then spread rumors about him? *middle finger emoji*】
【This is like trying to steep aged Longjing tea with cold water—impossible. You’d need sulfuric acid for that!】 (Longjing is a famous Chinese green tea; the joke is referencing something impossible.)
【Cheating and selling stolen design drafts? Honestly, this woman and that man deserve each other. Someone please lock them together and throw away the key!】
…
Yana Quinn had been hoping to make a splash, but ended up getting burned in the process.
Her agent called, urging her to immediately delete her morning post. But it was far too late—the screenshots had already spread everywhere, with several popular influencers reposting them.
This is the classic case of 'hoist by one’s own petard.' She’d dug her own grave this time.
Claire Xu scrolled through the comments, laughing at the creative ways netizens flamed them.
Hannah Xu walked by and frowned at her. “What are you laughing at?”
Putting her phone down, Claire Xu crossed her arms, looking arrogant. “I can laugh if I want—what’s it to you?”
This fashion show today—Hannah Xu had pulled some strings to get herself invited to walk the runway with Claire Xu.
Honestly, it was irritating.
This was the backstage area, so Hannah Xu wouldn’t dare provoke her directly, since Claire Xu’s unpredictable outbursts could make anyone lose their mind.
Claire Xu rolled her eyes at her, then found a quieter spot to call Lauren Shaw.
“Shengsheng, what are you up to?”
Lauren Shaw was resting her head on Yancy Shaw’s lap, watching the live stream of the fashion show. There were tons of big names in the audience, and as the cameras panned, she spotted Chloe Shaw sitting in the front row, waving at the camera.
Claire Xu sounded unusually excited on the phone.
“There’ll be an interview after the show. Want me to say hello to Yvonne Sung on your behalf?”
“Sure, say whatever you want.” Lauren Shaw knew she was up to no good, so she let her have her fun.
After hanging up, Yancy Shaw glanced down at her. “What did Claire Xu say?”
“She said she wants to say a few words ‘to’ Yvonne Sung during the interview.”
Yancy Shaw just raised an eyebrow, not bothering to comment.
After the runway show, reporters entered the backstage for interviews. The camera cut to Claire Xu.
After a few routine questions, the reporter shifted gears. “I’ve heard that your good friend is involved in the online plagiarism scandal circulating lately. Do you have any thoughts?”
Claire Xu fluttered her bright eyes mischievously, grinning like a little fox. “You mean Lauren Shaw? She’s my friend, but she absolutely did not plagiarize anything.”
The reporter gently asked, “Do you know Yvonne Sung?”
“Of course I know him! Who doesn’t have an ex these days? But when it’s all over, both sides should just wish each other well and move on.”
Claire Xu paused, furrowing her brow in apparent frustration. “I never expected him to do something like this—taking Lauren Shaw’s design and selling it, not to mention slandering her for plagiarism. I was so angry I could’ve hit him, and he would’ve deserved it.”
She just couldn’t stop herself at this point.
“Forget Dr. Shen hitting him—I wanted to take a swing at him myself. What a trashy guy, seriously disgusting!”
Before the reporter could get a word in, Claire Xu tore into the camera, dragging Yana Quinn in as well.
“He and Miss Quinn are a perfect match in the worst way. Miss Quinn, you better keep a tight leash on such a wonderful ‘man’—don’t let anyone snatch him away!”
She beamed sweetly at the camera, as if hoping fans would shower her with gifts.
The reporter was at a loss for how to continue, internally sweating bullets. This wasn’t an interview; this was public beef, live and unfiltered.
…
After seeing Claire Xu’s interview, Lauren Shaw couldn’t hold back a laugh and turned to look at Yancy Shaw. “Will this cause trouble for Qingqing? It’s live, after all.”
“Don’t worry—the sponsor for this fashion show is Second Brother.”
Lauren Shaw: “…”
Yvonne Sung would never have imagined that, thinking he could ruin Yancy Shaw, he’d achieve nothing at all.
The Shen family had serious power and wealth. Even if Yancy Shaw quit being a doctor, he’d still inherit the family business.
That’s what it really means to have the confidence of the elite.
“Looks like all my previous worries were unnecessary.”
Before this, Lauren Shaw had felt so guilty, afraid she might affect his work. But now, she realized it made no difference at all.
Yancy Shaw’s fingers traced gently over her lips, outlining their shape.
“Nothing is a big deal to me anymore—except you. You’re the only thing I truly care about.”
He’d always been indifferent to everything—except for Lauren Shaw, who alone made his heart surge.
It wasn’t the typical love confession, yet it sounded even better. Lauren Shaw beamed at him, then playfully bit the finger he’d placed at her lips.
“Yancy Shaw, I’m so glad I met you.”
She might as well have been openly seducing him.
His smile deepened as he teased, “So, do I get a reward?”
A reward? Again?
Lauren Shaw rolled over and sat up, facing him directly. She pressed her lips together, then leaned in and lightly kissed his cheek.
Yancy Shaw chuckled and kept teasing her. “That’s it?”
That’s not enough?
He had something else in mind, and it sure wasn’t just a peck.
Lauren Shaw sighed. “Then what kind of reward do you want?”
He thought for a moment, then whispered in her ear, “Tonight, I want to try a few more positions.”
Lauren Shaw’s ears instantly turned red. She laughed and scolded him, “Yancy Shaw, you’re insufferable!”