Faced with such an unexpected situation, if they switched out the model now, it would take ages for the replacement to arrive and get their makeup done.

"What should we do now?" The staff bustled about anxiously, unable to find a replacement.

"What’s going on?" Mandy Snow walked in just then. She was in charge of coordinating the show, while Lauren Shaw handled the models' hair, makeup, and outfits backstage.

The staff quickly informed Mandy Snow about the model’s predicament.

Mandy Snow cast a meaningful glance at Lauren Shaw. "Oh my, what will we do? This is Designer Li’s debut show—we can’t have anything go wrong, can we?"

Her tone hardly sounded worried. In fact, she seemed to be enjoying the spectacle.

Lauren Shaw, unfazed, was already busily thinking of a solution.

After a moment, Mandy Snow said, "How about this? I know a few models. Let me call them in to help out."

The staff, as if grabbing at a lifeline, nodded eagerly. "That would be wonderful, Director Xue. Thank you so much!"

"No need." Lauren Shaw refused her outright. "Thank you for your offer, Director Xue, but I’ve already figured something out."

Mandy Snow hadn’t expected the rejection. Eyebrow arched, she said, "Designer Li, I’m offering this for the company’s sake, not yours. Don’t let our personal grudges put the company's interests at risk."

The staff looked at Lauren Shaw, puzzled and worried. "It’s true—the new collection launch is in just over an hour. If we don’t get another model soon, we’ll be a laughingstock."

Crossing her arms, Mandy Snow looked rather pleased with herself, clearly waiting for Lauren Shaw to cave.

Lauren Shaw saw how anxious the staff were and patiently explained, "A friend of mine is already on the way—she’ll be here soon. Don’t worry, I’ve already found our replacement."

Mandy Snow let out a cold laugh. "This may not be a grand show, but it still represents our company’s reputation. Hopefully, you’re not bringing in some subpar amateur. If you embarrass us, it’ll be a disaster."

The staff, even more worried now, pleaded, "Designer Li, please listen to Director Xue. This show cannot go wrong! If it does, I’m out of a job."

Mandy Snow had been in the design industry much longer than Lauren Shaw and had far broader connections, so the staff were more inclined to trust her.

"Who says I’m a subpar amateur?" At this moment, Claire Xu’s voice rang out from the doorway. She’d been listening for a while. The moment Lauren Shaw saw her, any hint of gloom vanished from her face.

Claire Xu strode in and fixed her gaze on Mandy Snow. "Hmm? Tell me, miss—who exactly were you calling an amateur model?"

"You… Aren’t you that… that…" A staff member recognized Claire Xu, stammering.

Claire Xu gave her a dazzling smile. "That’s right, I’m Claire Xu—the international supermodel."

The look on Mandy Snow’s face darkened instantly. Lauren Shaw smiled and said, "Thank you again for your offer, Director Xue, but there’s no need. I have model friends too—and Claire Xu’s an international supermodel. I trust her completely."

Claire Xu found a stool and called out to the makeup artist, "Quick, quick, quick—there’s just over an hour until the launch! Don’t hold things up."

Claire Xu had actually come today just to watch the show. No sooner had she reached the entrance than she got a message from Lauren Shaw. As luck would have it, several of Claire Xu’s model friends were nearby and were also on their way.

Standing beside Claire Xu, Lauren Shaw watched as Claire Xu gave her a mischievous wink. "So? Did I show up just in time or what?"

"Absolutely. Drinks are on me next time."

The two of them exchanged a smile, and Lauren Shaw turned to handle the next matter.

At the launch venue, the invited guests were already filing in and taking their seats.

Ms. Chen sat in the front row, with Shen Wenting beside her. There was no way she could miss her daughter-in-law’s debut show. Shen Wenting was just getting ready for his afternoon nap when she dragged him out to attend.

Keen-eyed, Mandy Snow spotted them and walked over to greet them. "Dad, Mother."

"Mm, you’ve worked hard today. I heard you handled all the logistics for the event?" Shen Wenting asked.

Mandy Snow smiled graciously. "I was just doing my part for the company—it’s hardly hard work."

Ms. Chen craned her neck, looking around eagerly. "Where’s Sheng Sheng? Why haven’t I seen her yet?"

The smile at the corners of Mandy Snow’s mouth faltered for a second, but she quickly recovered. "She’s backstage right now."

Just then, someone called out for her from the other side of the hall. She offered an apologetic smile. "I need to take care of something. Excuse me."

Ms. Chen nodded. "Go ahead, we’re fine here."

Watching Mandy Snow bustling about, Ms. Chen couldn’t help but sigh and turned to Shen Wenting. "Tell me, if Mandy weren’t a Xue, would she and Nanfeng have been happier together?"

Shen Wenting mused for a moment. "Not necessarily. Mandy’s always been ambitious, and Nanfeng just wants a simple life. They’re from two different worlds. Their struggles have only brought them both pain."

Elsewhere, seated at the far end of the runway, was a woman with downcast eyes and a look of deep worry—she seemed utterly listless.

"I didn’t think you’d actually come."

Yana Quinn heard the voice and turned to find the speaker.

Wrapped up in a coat and scarf, with a mask covering most of her face, stood Eva Snow. At first, Yana Quinn didn’t recognize her, but once she did, her hand flew to her mouth in shock. "What happened to you?"

Was this really the Eva Snow she’d known before? If it weren’t for her familiar voice, Yana Quinn might not have recognized her at all.

Eva Snow pulled off her mask, revealing her haggard, sallow face and a striking scar across her forehead.

Seeing Yana Quinn’s astonished expression, Eva Snow’s lips curled in a mocking smile. "Surprised to see me?"

"N-no, it’s just… I can barely believe it."

She’d always been a pampered heiress—how had she fallen so far?

Eyes icy cold, Eva Snow stared back at her. "So, what happened while I was gone?"

She had been sent to F Country for a while—without a phone, she knew nothing about what had happened in Ancheng. Now that she was back, Yvonne Sung was nowhere to be found. In desperation, she’d sought out Yana Quinn.

Yana Quinn let out a cold snort, her face marked with exhaustion she never used to show. "Why ask me? You can find out what happened for yourself, can’t you?" Deep down, she wondered if, had Eva Snow never appeared, she wouldn’t have targeted Lauren Shaw the way she did. Would things between her and Yvonne Sung have ended up differently?

"If I could find out myself, do you think I’d be here talking to you?"

Eva Snow had managed to track down Yana Quinn’s whereabouts, but there hadn’t been a trace of Yvonne Sung.