When Yana Quinn heard the news, she put on flawless makeup and hurried to the banquet, only to end up bitterly disappointed.

The so-called 'director' was no professional at all. From the moment she entered the private room, he kept pushing drinks on her, and his hands were all over her. She asked Pan Ling for help more than once, but the other woman acted as if she hadn’t seen a thing.

Yana Quinn forced a self-mocking smile; her eyes were empty and hollow.

Her phone started ringing. She didn’t react until the ringtone was about to end—it was Qiao Mingfu.

She hadn’t intended to answer, but somehow found herself picking up.

'What is it?'

Whatever was said on the other end made Yana Quinn’s face suddenly twist. She fiercely threw her phone to the ground. 'Go to hell! You all go to hell!'

She screamed hysterically. When someone came into the restroom, she bent down to pick up her phone.

Trying to steady herself, she took a deep breath and walked out with her head down.

Lauren Shaw stepped out of a private room to answer a call. As she passed by another suite, a waiter came out and left the door slightly ajar. She caught a glimpse of Yana Quinn inside.

Yana Quinn looked like a different person from her usual self. She was sitting beside a man, his hand roaming freely up her bare thigh.

Yana Quinn seemed to have had way too much to drink, her gaze dazed, both arms clinging to the man’s neck...

Before Lauren Shaw could get a better look, someone shut the door.

Lauren Shaw shook her head. But wasn’t all this the consequence of Yana Quinn’s own choices? She really didn’t deserve anyone’s pity.

—

A Bentley pulled up slowly at the restaurant’s entrance.

Not far ahead, a black Audi was parked. The driver honked the horn.

Yancy Shaw spotted the car appearing behind him in his rearview mirror, and his tightly pressed lips lifted almost imperceptibly.

His phone rang. He answered.

'Here to pick someone up?' Bryce Shaw’s tone was lightly teasing.

Yancy Shaw replied with a cool 'Mm.'

Bryce Shaw chuckled. 'You’ve really become besties, haven’t you?','I heard that Li Qiuchi helped her out during the show’s filming—remembered that for next time, any favor, just ask.','He’d never liked owing debts; helping Lauren Shaw was pretty much the same as helping him.','Maybe next time,' Yancy Shaw said. 'Are you really not coming back to run the company?'

Bryce Shaw asked. Last time, Lauren Shaw had told him about this situation—she’d probably also told Yancy Shaw. He just wanted to see how Yancy Shaw felt. Seeing his indifference, he knew not to push.

'I’m not considering it for now. Maybe later.'

As soon as the words left his mouth, a flashy Ferrari pulled up in front of the black Audi. Henry Mills got out and rapped on Yancy Shaw’s window.

'I knew you’d be here.' Henry Mills had come straight over after a call from Claire Xu, and made sure to drive his beloved car.

Yancy Shaw gave him an expressionless look.

Henry Mills continued, 'It was thanks to your heads-up about Claire Xu last time. Now that she’s back from abroad, she’s different towards me.'

'How different?' Yancy Shaw asked.

'Abroad, she invited me to her room for drinks. I said it’s not right for a guy and girl to be alone together. She called me unexpectedly upright—I honestly thought she was complimenting me. Made me kind of proud.'

Yancy Shaw smirked. 'And then?'

'Then, tonight, she calls and says she’s had too much to drink, asked me to come pick her up.'

Henry Mills usually wasn’t this slow on the uptake. Why did he become such a clueless puppy in front of Claire Xu?

'So, you mean, she’s just different toward you now? Nothing more?'

Henry Mills didn’t get it, scratching his head. 'No, nothing else.'

Yancy Shaw said, unhurriedly, 'You’re even more slow-witted than I thought.'

Slow-witted? Henry Mills rolled the word around in his mind. Was he really that dense?

'Am I?'

Yancy Shaw nodded gravely, looking at him as if he was an idiot.

Henry Mills only felt more lost.

While they spoke, Lauren Shaw and the others came out together.

Henry Mills waved to Claire Xu, bounding over like an excited puppy.

Lauren Shaw teased, 'So, how far have you two progressed?'

Claire Xu blushed. 'Don’t be ridiculous, we’re just friends.'

Lauren Shaw leaned in, whispering, 'Still just friends? Please, you might fool me, but you can’t fool your own heart.'

Just then, Henry Mills arrived.

Lauren Shaw grinned. 'Dr. He, here to pick up Qingqing?'

Off to the side, Li Qiuchi had already bundled her face up in a scarf so thoroughly that no one would have recognized her.

She spotted the Bentley parked nearby and turned to the others. 'My ride’s here—gotta go.'

Lauren Shaw and Claire Xu waved her off.

Watching the squirming two, Lauren Shaw nudged Claire Xu forward. 'My ride’s here too—Henry Mills, Qingqing’s all yours.'

With that, she ran toward Yancy Shaw’s car.

Yancy Shaw was already waiting for her by the car. When she ran over, he opened his arms and drew her in, asking gently, 'Are you cold?'

'Not at all,' Lauren Shaw slipped into the car, glancing back at the two still standing outside. She couldn’t help finding it a bit exasperating.

'Why aren’t they getting in?'

'Who knows. Maybe the air outside’s really fresh.'

Henry Mills was even clumsier than Yancy Shaw when it came to romance. He’d teased Yancy Shaw for being unromantic before, but now, looking at Henry Mills, Yancy Shaw finally felt he was the more competent one.

At least he’d already won his beauty’s heart.

Outside, the two were still blushing, neither saying a word. Ever since she’d come back from abroad, Claire Xu’s voice was noticeably softer when she spoke to him.

'Um, let’s go home.'

'Alright, let’s go.'

Claire Xu hadn’t moved from where she stood. 'We’re walking home?'

'Sure.'

Claire Xu’s face was full of question marks.

Only then did Henry Mills realize, 'My car’s right there.'

Finally, the two awkwardly got into the car. Even from behind her window, Lauren Shaw felt secondhand embarrassment for them.

'Is this really the Claire Xu I know?' She’d never seen Claire Xu act so bashful before.

'Mm. It’s not really the Henry Mills I know, either.' Yancy Shaw hinted.

They both seemed all thumbs now—caught somewhere between friends and lovers. Love, it seemed, made everyone act strange.

Meanwhile, Bryce Shaw’s car was quiet, save for the gentle music playing.

Li Qiuchi turned to look at him.

'Didn’t expect you’d be the one picking me up tonight.'

She’d thought her assistant would come, but when she stepped out and saw Bryce Shaw’s car, she was shocked.

'You didn’t want me to pick you up?' He asked, driving as streetlights flickered by his face, casting him in a soft glow.

Li Qiuchi’s heart fluttered despite herself. She was never one to be swayed by good looks, but Bryce Shaw seemed to be carved into her heart, making her quietly happy.

'Just surprised, I guess,' she murmured.

To her, Bryce Shaw was just her boss—but she still couldn’t help falling for him.