Fang Lin, sprawled on the floor, let out a pitiful wail. 'It hurts, it really hurts.'

'Second sister-in-law, I’ve already called the doctor. Hang in there, he’ll be here soon,' Mandy Snow said, then looked up at Lauren Shaw. 'Lauren Shaw, just apologize to her. No one’s going to do anything to you, and today’s Dad’s birthday banquet—there’s no need to make a scene and embarrass everyone.'

Mrs. Chen glanced at the maid next to her, urging her to quickly bring Yancy Shaw over. She couldn’t handle this alone; these people were like a pack of hungry wolves, desperate to tear Lauren Shaw apart.

Turning to Fang Lin, Mrs. Chen asked, 'Mrs. Xue, do you remember how you fell?'

Fang Lin clutched her head, blood streaking her pale face. In a feeble voice she replied, 'I just wanted to chat with Third Young Madam about Eva Snow. I never thought, when I brought her up, she’d panic and push me—then I tumbled down.'

Slander. Barefaced slander.

Lauren Shaw had already started descending the stairs. Staring at Fang Lin on the ground, she let out a cold laugh. 'Are you sure I pushed you?'

'Still trying to deny it?' Shen Siyi glared at her with pure hatred. 'You’re nothing but a venomous woman. You’ve already caused trouble for cousin Eva Snow—now you want to harm my aunt, too.'

Mrs. Chen snapped, 'Shut your mouth! She’s your third aunt, watch how you speak!'

Shen Siyi fumed but didn’t dare talk back, shrinking aggrievedly toward Mandy Snow.

Just then, the family doctor arrived and began tending to Fang Lin’s wound.

'How is it? Is she badly hurt?' Mandy Snow asked anxiously.

As the doctor examined Fang Lin, he replied, 'The cut isn’t deep. A simple dressing will do.'

Xue Qiang, still unwilling to let go, fixed Mrs. Chen with a sharp look. 'Mrs. Shen, I hope you’ll handle this fairly.'

'And what kind of fairness are you after?' A glacial voice cut through the tension, sending chills down everyone’s spine.

Yancy Shaw entered, walking to Lauren Shaw’s side, with Sean Snow trailing behind him. Seeing the situation, Sean Snow paused in surprise. 'What happened here?'

Lying weakly on the sofa, her forehead now bandaged, Fang Lin looked at Sean Snow. 'I just fell down the stairs.'

Sean Snow held his tongue. He already had a good guess what happened.

Xue Qiang gave a cold snort. 'Heh, the Shen family’s way of treating outsiders really is eye-opening. If this isn’t resolved properly, I’ll just let the police handle it.'

Lauren Shaw stood firm, even a bit eager. 'Sure, go ahead—call the police. I’d love to know how Mrs. Xue actually rolled down those stairs.'

At that moment, a sound came from the second floor, making everyone look up. Someone else was there.

Ian Lawrence awkwardly scratched his nose. 'Um, I had a bad stomach, just looking for the bathroom.'

It was a flimsy explanation, but true: his stomach really was upset.

'Did you see what happened just now?' Xue Qiang asked.

After all, Fang Lin was his aunt—Ian Lawrence would surely side with her, no matter what.

Ian Lawrence glanced at Lauren Shaw, who stood calm and composed, then looked at Fang Lin. Just moments earlier, he’d heard voices upstairs. While heading for the bathroom, he’d accidentally glanced back—because of the angle, Fang Lin was obscured; he only saw Lauren Shaw walking ahead and someone suddenly tumbling down the stairs afterward.

But his stomach hurt too much to pay attention at the time. Who’d have thought he’d come out of the bathroom to this scene?

Everyone was staring at him now, waiting for his answer.

'I didn’t see Lauren Shaw push her. She didn’t lay a hand on anyone. Maybe the stairs were too slippery? Maybe my aunt just lost her footing on her own?'

'Are you sure you didn’t miss something? Did your aunt really fall by herself?'

Ian Lawrence stood by what he saw—he’d only tell the truth.

'I swear on my honor—it’s absolutely true. Lauren Shaw didn’t push Aunt Fang.'

The entire Snow family fell silent. Even Fang Lin on the sofa stopped making a sound — whether she’d fainted for real or was just playing dead was anyone’s guess.

Mrs. Chen’s expression turned even colder. 'Today is the old master’s birthday banquet. I don’t want any more unpleasantness here. This kind of staged drama… Some people really are skilled at putting on a show.'

'Mother, please don’t be angry. Things got out of hand just now. My second brother was just upset, that’s all…,' Mandy Snow tried to smooth things over.

'Funny, that’s not what you said just now.' Lauren Shaw cut her off mid-sentence.

Mandy Snow’s face darkened. Lauren Shaw knew tonight’s incident was her doing—Fang Lin barely knew the Shen family, so how could she possibly know where Lauren Shaw would go to rest? Not to mention, all the staff just happened to be out of sight. Too much of a coincidence—clearly all pre-arranged.

'Sorry. I jumped to conclusions too quickly back there and blamed you without checking the facts. Maybe the stairs at home were too slippery and that’s why my second sister-in-law lost her footing. I hope you won’t hold it against her.'

Mandy Snow was even more adaptable than Lauren Shaw expected. No wonder she’d managed to stay in the Shen household all these years, winning over even Mrs. Chen despite her dislike.

'Big sister-in-law, you’re always quick to protect your own. If no one had cleared my name just now, you’d probably be eager to skin me alive.'

Not every sorry can buy a 'never mind.' She had no intention of giving her a way out.

'The guests are still waiting outside—let’s get back and have a drink,' Sean Snow proposed, trying to ease the tension.

After all, this was about both families’ reputations—and it was Old Master Shen’s birthday. They couldn’t afford a scandal.

But Lauren Shaw wouldn’t let it go. 'I want an apology.'

Her tone was steely, her gaze ice-cold.

This wasn’t just Mandy Snow’s fault—or her apology to give. This was a planned trap: their real goal was to use this incident to embarrass her or force Yancy Shaw to reveal Eva Snow’s whereabouts.

Sean Snow turned to the stubborn Xue Qiang and Fang Lin. 'Uncle, Aunt, you two should apologize. You falsely accused someone—of course you should make it right.'

He shot them a warning glance, lowering his voice: 'You don’t want Grandpa hearing about this, do you? If he finds out, there’s bound to be another lecture.'

How could they come up with such a terrible idea here, at the Shen household? Yancy Shaw might let it go for now, but that didn’t mean he’d forget. They’d just have to settle this later.

At last, Xue Qiang and Fang Lin reluctantly apologized to Lauren Shaw, and Shen Siyi also offered a respectful apology, despite clearly disliking her.

Mrs. Chen promptly showed Xue Qiang and his wife the door.

Lauren Shaw turned to Ian Lawrence, surprised that he’d stood up for her. 'Thank you—for today.'

Ian Lawrence scratched his head with a grin. 'No need to thank me—it was nothing.'

But the look he gave Lauren Shaw was tinged with something more.

Yancy Shaw placed his hand around Lauren Shaw’s waist, and in that instant, the smile on Ian Lawrence’s lips faltered.