Nathan Shaw clenched his fists by his sides, his gaze fixed on her as if struggling to restrain something within himself.

Mandy Snow seemed to have no fear, pressing on. "I know you're still in contact with that woman. Truly loyal, aren't you? All these years have passed and you still can't forget her."

"Mandy Snow, I'm warning you—don't touch her. Or I'll kill you." Nathan Shaw's emotions surged, and for the first time in front of her, the gentlemanly man revealed a raw, dangerous edge.

He shoved her aside. If it weren't for the wall behind her, she might have fallen to the floor.

Without even looking back, Nathan Shaw strode straight for the door. A moment later, the sound of an engine starting echoed through the air.

Watching him drive away without even glancing her way, Mandy Snow bit down hard on her lip, eyes brimming with tears, yet she stubbornly tipped her chin up, refusing to let them fall.

"Mom, what's wrong?" Shen Siyiyi noticed her odd mood and hurried over, her face filled with concern.

Drawing in a deep breath, Mandy Snow steadied herself. "I'm fine."

Shen Siyiyi eyed her with obvious suspicion.

"What are you doing here?" Mandy Snow smoothed out her emotions and turned to look at Shen Siyiyi.

"Uncle said he didn't see you and sent me to find you. He said there's something he wants to talk to you about—and told me to bring Dad along, too."

Shen Siyiyi craned her neck, scanning the area for any sign of Nathan Shaw.

"Don't bother looking—your dad had too much to drink and has gone to rest." Mandy Snow offered a casual excuse.

The banquet was drawing to an end, and many guests had already departed.

Tonight Bryce Shaw had drunk quite a bit. He now stood at the door, seeing guests off, while a certain woman beside him kept casting glances his way.

"President Shen, did you have a little too much to drink?" Zhu Yurou gazed at him, affection obvious in her eyes.

Noticing his unsteady stance, she reached out to support him—but before her hand could touch him, Bryce Shaw brushed her off.

"No need, Miss Zhu. I'll have someone else help me." With that, he called out to Yancy Shaw.

With a cold expression, Yancy Shaw walked over. Bryce Shaw immediately slung an arm over his brother's shoulders. "I'm drunk. Come on, help your big brother back to his room."

Yancy Shaw looked reluctant at first. But when he caught sight of the woman standing behind, he cooperated and helped Bryce Shaw away.

As she watched Yancy Shaw help Bryce Shaw back to his room, Zhu Yurou turned her gaze toward Lauren Shaw, who had just sent off the Shaw family parents.

"Miss Li." Zhu Yurou called her directly by name, skipping any respectful title like 'Third Young Mistress.'

Lauren Shaw didn't know her—today was the first time they'd met—so she had no idea whose daughter Zhu Yurou was.

Zhu Yurou was dressed in a fitted black gown, scarlet lips blazing, her long legs and slender waist radiating the aura of a career woman. There was a certain ambition in her gaze unique to businesswomen, but when she looked at Lauren Shaw, a faint sense of scorn flickered in her eyes.

Lauren Shaw couldn't imagine what she'd done to offend her. Why was this woman's gaze so brazenly challenging?

"Hello. I'm Zhu Yurou, chairwoman of Feican Group here in Ancheng." Zhu Yurou extended her hand—arrogant yet elegant.

Lauren Shaw returned a brief handshake, intending to say little more and head inside. But before she could leave, Zhu Yurou stopped her.

"I heard you and Third Young Master Shen had a flash marriage." The words, dropped carelessly, sounded a little grating to Lauren Shaw.

"What are you trying to say, Miss Zhu?" Lauren Shaw didn't want to play games. If Zhu Yurou called her over, it certainly wasn't just to chat idly.

Zhu Yurou smiled faintly. "No need to be so tense, Miss Li. I'm just saying—if Yancy Shaw was willing to marry you so suddenly, you must have something special about you. Isn't that right?"

Her tone was dripping with provocation and condescension—clearly, she'd come looking for trouble.

"I'm afraid you're mistaken, Miss Zhu. The reason Yancheng and I got married so quickly is because we genuinely like each other. That's not the same as you—spending the whole evening glued to Second Brother's side, only for him not to spare you a glance. It must be tough for you, with someone as indifferent as him."

All evening, Zhu Yurou had lowered herself to stay by Bryce Shaw's side, yet he barely looked at her or even let her steady him. She was the CEO of a company; in all honesty, which man she'd taken a liking to ever dared snub her like this?

Lauren Shaw's words were meant to blunt Zhu Yurou's edge—after all, who asked her to come over and flaunt her sense of superiority?

As expected, as soon as Lauren Shaw finished, Zhu Yurou's expression darkened.

"Senior!"

Just then, Sophia Chandler bounced over to Lauren Shaw's side.

"Huh? Big Sis, what are you doing here? Wasn't I just watching you orbit around Second Young Master Shen a second ago?" Sophia Chandler looked at her with innocent eyes.

"Which eye of yours saw me doing that? Stop spouting nonsense!" Zhu Yurou shot her a glare.

Lauren Shaw was surprised to realize these two were sisters. They certainly didn't look related, despite it.

"Both my left and right eyes saw it! It's a pity Dad isn't here tonight—if he saw you acting so desperate, he'd probably be furious."

"You...!"

"Did I say something wrong, Big Sis? Don't you realize how silly you look chasing after Second Young Master Shen?"

Zhu Yurou glared at Sophia Chandler, teeth clenched. "Say another word and I'll tear your mouth right off!"

"Miss Zhu, I'd advise you to mind your words in public. After all, you represent the Zhu family's reputation." Lauren Shaw's tone was cool, eyes full of irony.

Though fuming inside, Zhu Yurou kept her composure, smiling thinly as she stared at Lauren Shaw. "Sharp tongue. I underestimated you, Miss Li."

"You're too kind, Miss Zhu. After all, I am the woman who could marry Third Young Master Shen on the spot."

Come on then, let’s see whose words cut deeper—I won’t let you get the best of me.

The calmer Lauren Shaw appeared, the more it felt to Zhu Yurou like punching cotton—frustratingly futile.

With nothing more to say, Zhu Yurou turned and stalked off, anger simmering.

Seeing her take the loss, Sophia Chandler doubled over with laughter.

"You have no idea, Senior. She’s always looked down on others—can't stand it when someone outshines her. I’ve never understood where she gets that sense of superiority."

Sophia Chandler had long tired of her older sister. Despite holding power in the company, the two rarely saw eye to eye.

From the way Sophia Chandler spoke, Lauren Shaw could tell the sisters' relationship was sour. Otherwise, there wouldn't be so much open hostility between them.

"Siyao, you can just call me by my name from now on. There's no need to be so formal and call me Senior. It sounds kind of odd."

Sophia Chandler grinned. "Alright, Sienna Shaw!"

After the last guest had departed, Mrs. Chen insisted everyone stay the night, blaming the alcohol for the arrangement.

It was Lauren Shaw’s first time stepping into Yancy Shaw’s room. The decor was simple, with a few photos from his childhood dotted around the place.