Xavier Quinn let go, and Nina Shaw got up to return to her room.

As she packed her clothes, she cursed Xavier Quinn silently. She would never dare to complain to his face—she knew all too well that he’d have ways to shut her up.

To outsiders, their marriage looked dangerously fragile. Plenty of people were just waiting for the spectacle of their divorce.

Nina Shaw finished packing, opened the door, and found Xavier Quinn waiting right outside. Without a word, she set her suitcase at his feet and took a hands-off approach, leaving him to handle it.

Xavier Quinn said nothing as he picked up her luggage. Watching her lead the way, he could only smile helplessly.

A Maybach was parked at the entrance. When Nina Shaw came out, the driver greeted respectfully, 'Sir, Madam.'

The driver opened the car door for her, and Nina Shaw slid inside.

On the ride, Nina Shaw absentmindedly scrolled through short videos on her phone. Suddenly, a gossip piece popped up, and the narrator’s voice echoed through the car.

‘The other day, the CEO of W&Q Group spent 100 million to purchase a pink diamond for jewelry designer Sheng Hanxia. It’s rumored the two were college classmates—some say old flames may have rekindled...’

The man next to her glanced over, snatched the phone from her hand, and swiftly swiped the video away.

Watching his little stunt, Nina Shaw couldn’t help but laugh. 'What, feeling guilty?'

'Guilty? There’s nothing to be guilty about—it isn’t true anyway.' Xavier Quinn kept his eyes ahead, his expression unreadable.

Nina Shaw gave a mocking laugh. 'So what counts as true for you, then?'

Two years into marriage, there wasn’t much deep feeling between them. Early on, Nina Shaw had even thought of getting divorced, but the old man of the Qiao family had poured cold water over that idea.

'In our Qiao family, there’s no such thing as divorce. Only widowhood!'

Since divorce was off the table, she might as well stop caring.

Whether or not Xavier Quinn came home at night, or even spared her a glance, it didn’t bother her anymore.

When they’d first wed, Xavier Quinn was busy and always on business trips—they barely saw each other.

She barely remembered their first Lunar New Year’s Eve as a married couple. They both got tipsy that night, stumbled into the bedroom, and somehow ended up consummating their marriage in a daze.

After that, it was like Xavier Quinn became addicted to her. Every time they met, he’d find all sorts of ways to tame her.

She once thought maybe their relationship would gradually improve—but then an old college classmate of his popped up out of nowhere, always poking at her, always stirring the pot.

Xavier Quinn dialed a number, his tone short and stern. 'Clarify the situation immediately, and have all those false rumors deleted.'

Nina Shaw let out a small laugh. 'After all you’ve done, you’re still afraid of gossip?'

Xavier Quinn leaned over, pressing her down and capturing her lips in a forceful, possessive kiss.

The driver saw what was happening and hurriedly raised the divider in the car—see no evil, hear no evil.

Nina Shaw’s cheeks flushed as he kissed her, and she tried to push him away, but he grabbed her wrists and pinned them above her head. His lips grazed down to her neck, and he gave her a small, biting kiss, sending a shudder through her entire body.

'Nina Shaw, this whole thing is a misunderstanding. Why won’t you just listen to my explanation?' There was a hint of helplessness in his voice.

Nina Shaw finally cooled down a bit. Maybe she was anxious about what he might do next; she nodded, her breath still uneven.

Staring at the rise and fall of her chest, Xavier Quinn’s gaze darkened.

Nina Shaw cursed inwardly, 'Xavier Quinn, you’re such a bastard.'

'I may be a bastard, but I’m yours alone.'

Nina Shaw wrapped her arms around his neck and, tilting her head, bit down hard at the base of his neck, only letting go once his skin turned a deep red.

Xavier Quinn chuckled softly. The woman beneath him was truly petty, making his life difficult these past days.

If she got mad, she’d run back to her parents’ house. Now she just vanished, and no one could find her. This little troublemaker would drive him to madness.

—

Meanwhile, a new clothing line was about to launch.

Lauren Shaw brought her new designs to the company and met with the marketing team to discuss the promotional strategy.

Her suggestions were met with full approval by senior management.

The new brand, Sylvia Shawn, would launch at the end of the month. The spokesperson was Li Qiuchi.

Lauren Shaw remembered that Li Qiuchi had publicly supported her last time, and she still owed her a meal—in fact, tonight felt just right to invite her out.

After leaving the office, Lauren Shaw called Li Qiuchi to invite her to dinner.

Li Qiuchi accepted cheerfully.

Thinking of Claire Xu, just back from abroad, Lauren Shaw asked her along as well.

They picked a restaurant off the beaten path.

When Li Qiuchi arrived, she had a scarf wrapped around most of her face, with only her bright eyes showing.

Considering their identities, Lauren Shaw booked a private room, saving them trouble.

Claire Xu wore a mask and took it off once inside.

Lauren Shaw introduced Claire Xu and Li Qiuchi.

One was a model, the other a celebrity—instantly, they hit it off.

There’s always that magical feeling of meeting and wishing you’d met sooner.

'I saw your show a while ago.' Last Fashion Week, Li Qiuchi sat front row, and watching Claire Xu’s interview had been especially satisfying.

'I saw you at the show, too.' Of course Claire Xu recognized the famous actress in front of her—she’d watched her movies, after all.

When there’s chemistry between people, conversation flows easily. When talk turned to the new collection, Li Qiuchi said, 'I’ve seen your work—it’s very unique. I believe it’s going to be a huge success.'

'From your lips to heaven’s ears! Come on, let’s toast.' In their good mood, all three shared a drink that night.

Lauren Shaw asked Claire Xu about her time abroad, and Claire Xu waved her hand dismissively. 'After I kicked Lu Yuanbo that night, he never showed his face at the show again.'

In truth, they owed Henry Mills a lot. If it hadn’t been for him, Claire Xu would have been in real trouble that night.

'Women really need to be vigilant out there. There’s just too much malice toward women in this world these days.' Over the years, Li Qiuchi had run into more than her share of scummy men.

No matter what, a girl always has to protect herself when she’s out and about.

'Let’s raise a glass and wish Shengsheng becomes an international designer soon.' Claire Xu lifted her glass to congratulate Lauren Shaw.

—

In the restroom.

Yana Quinn glared angrily at the woman in front of her. 'Sister Ling, this is the kind of opportunity you got for me?'

Her agent, Pan Ling, sneered. 'You should count yourself lucky I found you anything at all. Do you not understand your own situation? Anyone willing to give you even a tiny role is doing you a favor.'

The thing entertainers fear most is a scandal clinging to them, and right now, Yana Quinn was getting roasted so badly online she didn’t even dare to step outside.

Yvonne Sung didn’t care about her in the slightest anymore—their past relationship was as good as garbage, and the very thought of it disgusted her.

'The opportunity is right in front of you. Whether you fight for it or not is up to you.' Pan Ling threw out the words and swept out of the restroom.

Yana Quinn stared at her own reflection in the mirror—her delicate features already tinged with exhaustion.

Tonight, Pan Ling had called, urging her to dress up carefully, saying she knew a director and had secured a minor role for her.