Claire Xu was so stunned by his words she nearly tumbled out of the car. Looks like what she said last time—he actually took it seriously.
She drew a deep breath, looking at him with a forced smile that didn't reach her eyes. 'Alright, I’ll remember.'
With that, she pushed open the door and got out. As Claire Xu dashed into the apartment building, Henry Mills’s car remained parked by the side of the road, unmoving.
Only when a light flickered on in one of the building's windows did he finally check his phone—a new message had arrived.
[I’m home.]
Seeing her message, the corners of his lips subtly lifted. He started his car and drove away.
Claire Xu stood on her balcony, watching his car pull away. For some reason, a strange sense of restlessness bubbled inside her.
She warned herself not to fall for someone so easily. She didn’t trust men—not after what her father did. After her mother passed away, her dad never once visited her.
She sometimes envied Lauren Shaw’s loving relationship, but she never believed she’d be so lucky. Even now, even if this feeling was genuine, she feared it would all end in disappointment and resentment.
—
'Tomorrow is Father's birthday banquet. We need to go back to the Shen family.'
Lauren Shaw glanced at Yancy Shaw. 'Why didn't you mention it earlier? I haven’t even prepared a gift yet.'
This was her first time celebrating a birthday for the Shen family elders. She couldn’t just show up empty-handed.
Yancy Shaw parked the car, naturally took her hand, and pressed it to his lips in a gentle kiss. 'I've already taken care of everything.'
Yancy Shaw always liked to think ahead. Being with him, Lauren Shaw felt like she didn’t need to use even half her wits.
The next day, Lauren Shaw picked out an elegant evening gown. Her long hair was swept up, with two soft strands framing her face. Her skin was as fair as snow—she looked too refined for the mortal world.
For Shen Wentian’s birthday banquet, the guest list was full of Ancheng’s rich and powerful. Even though Shen Wentian no longer meddled in business, many people still came by to offer their congratulations.
Yancy Shaw’s eldest and second eldest brothers had come home early. That afternoon, distant relatives started arriving en masse.
Aunts and great-aunts gathered in noisy clusters, the atmosphere lively and festive.
Mrs. Chen sat elegantly among the crowd. When she saw Lauren Shaw come in, she waved her over. 'Sheng Sheng, come sit here.'
Curious glances went Lauren Shaw’s way. 'So this is the third young master's wife? She really is lovely,' remarked Yancy Shaw’s eldest aunt.
Lauren Shaw greeted everyone as Mrs. Chen introduced her one by one, politely addressing each elder in turn.
Meanwhile, Yancy Shaw was greeting guests but frequently glanced over at her.
Lauren Shaw’s parents also attended the party, and as they entered, Mrs. Chen and Shen Wentian welcomed them warmly.
It was only today that Lauren Shaw’s parents realized Yancy Shaw was the third young master of the Shen family. All along, they’d thought he came from an academic background—not the heights of the city’s elite.
As the guests filled the hall, Yancy Shaw made his way over to Lauren Shaw and sat by her side.
Though it was a birthday banquet, the event was heavy with business overtones; most guests were from the commercial world. Since Yancy Shaw kept away from business dealings, everyone instead flocked around Bryce Shaw, eager to curry favor—such displays were everywhere.
As the new face at the banquet and the latest addition to the Shen family, Lauren Shaw naturally couldn’t escape the rounds of toasting.
A few glasses in, she felt pleasantly lightheaded and slightly adrift.
Noticing the blush rising in her cheeks, Yancy Shaw quietly told her to go upstairs and rest.
He was about to escort her back to the room when Sean Snow from another table called out, 'Yancheng, come have a drink! Last time, you turned me down. It’s your father’s birthday tonight—surely you can’t refuse?'
He meant to decline, but Lauren Shaw smiled, 'Go ahead. I can get back to my room myself.'
With that, Sean Snow whisked Yancy Shaw away for drinks.
Lauren Shaw headed upstairs. As she rounded the hallway corner, someone stepped out and blocked her path.
'Miss Li, please save my daughter.'
Lauren Shaw squinted and saw who it was—Madam Fang Lin, the second wife of the Snow family.
Lauren Shaw had noticed her at the party earlier, keeping an eye on her. Now, finding her waiting here, it was clear she’d come with something in mind.
'Mrs. Xue, I really don’t know anything about your daughter’s situation. You’ve got the wrong person,' Lauren Shaw said and stepped around her to head back to her room.
'How could you not know? If it weren’t for your appearance, would my daughter be like this?' Fang Lin’s voice was becoming shrill. With only the two of them in this corridor—servants all busy at the banquet—it almost felt as if this setup had been arranged on purpose.
Lauren Shaw eyed her warily.
'Whatever happens to your daughter has nothing to do with me. Isn’t it a little rude to ambush me like this?' Her gaze was icy.
Fang Lin faltered under her glare—after all, Lauren Shaw was Mrs. Yancy Shaw now and had inherited some of his imposing presence.
Lauren Shaw moved to enter her room when suddenly, a piercing scream rang out, followed by the heavy thud of a body tumbling down the stairs.
'Ah!' By the time Lauren Shaw reacted, Fang Lin was already at the bottom.
'Auntie!' Shen Sylvia Shaw ran in from outside, glaring up at Lauren Shaw with eyes full of accusation. She jabbed a finger at Lauren Shaw and shouted, 'What’s wrong with you? Why did you push my aunt?'
Standing at the top of the stairs, Lauren Shaw watched the scene unfold—an obvious set-up—she couldn’t help but smirk sardonically.
'I didn’t push her,' Lauren Shaw replied calmly and unhurriedly.
Fang Lin lay on the floor, her forehead bleeding profusely, the sight shocking all who looked on.
Just then, the servants came rushing in, gasping in shock at the spectacle.
Shen Sylvia Shaw yelled angrily, 'What are you all standing around for? Go get help!'
In no time, the Snow family members streamed inside. Mandy Snow, face pale with panic, stared at Lauren Shaw, 'What are you doing, Lauren Shaw? Why did you push her?'
'I’ll say it again—I did not push her.' Lauren Shaw’s tone was still poised.
'If you didn’t, are you saying she threw herself down the stairs?' retorted Fang Lin’s husband, Xue Qiang.
'You’re absolutely right. She did it herself.'
'You’re getting too bold—thinking you can intimidate people just because you married into the Shen family! I’ll teach you a lesson today!' Xue Qiang rolled up his sleeves and advanced menacingly.
'Let’s see who dares make trouble in the Shen household!' Mrs. Chen’s sharp voice echoed from the doorway.
At the sight of her, Xue Qiang’s browbeating bravado instantly withered.
'Mrs. Shen, I respect you, but you can’t just take her side blindly. She pushed my wife downstairs—she’s lying there injured—how can you expect me not to demand an explanation?'
'As I’ve said, it wasn’t me,' Lauren Shaw replied, staring at Fang Lin on the floor. 'Mrs. Xue, would you care to explain how you fell?'
Called out directly, Fang Lin kept up her act, clutching her head and feigning unconsciousness so they wouldn’t see through her ruse.
'It was clearly you. Why won’t you admit it?' Shen Sylvia Shaw’s eyes burned with anger.