But this He Shuang actually had a very pleasant personality—no airs at all, just gentle and poised, radiating a kind of easy warmth that made people feel close to her.

“Alright, I’ll definitely be there,” Lauren Shaw gave her a friendly smile.

The banquet was already halfway through, and the hall was filled with ceaseless chatter and laughter. It made Lauren Shaw feel out of place here. Ian Lawrence walked over and asked, “Why isn’t Third Brother here tonight?”

“He’s still in surgery—doesn’t have time tonight,” Lauren Shaw answered. She knew he was busy, so she might as well not disturb him; he’d call her when he was done.

Ian Lawrence sounded nonchalant, but in his heart he was delighted. Rarely did he get the chance for a moment alone with Lauren Shaw, and the thought filled him with secret joy.

“There’s a college friends’ get-together in the next couple of days. Do you have time? Maybe we could go and hang out together?”

A get-together? It had been ages since Lauren Shaw had been to something like that—this was a good chance to show up with Yancy Shaw, so people would stop thinking she was with Yvonne Sung.

With that in mind, she readily agreed. “Sure, I’ll bring Claire Xu along too.”

Hearing her accept so easily, Ian Lawrence’s smile grew; his little tiger teeth peeked out in that simple, boyish way. Honestly, all he wanted was to be a little closer to Lauren Shaw. It had been like that before, and it was the same now.

When you truly like someone, whether you’re together or not doesn’t matter—as long as you can see her happy, that’s enough.

Lauren Shaw felt a bit stuffy and wanted some fresh air. There was a door at the back of the hall that led down a long corridor to an airy spot—a quiet place, too.

She took a deep breath. The chilly breeze cleared her head.

Not far off, there was a sound: the click of high heels on the floor.

“Why didn’t I see Second Young Master Shen tonight?” The voice was familiar. Lauren Shaw had meant to leave, but at the mention of the Shen family, her curiosity got the better of her.

Next came a cold laugh. “Why ask me? How should I know?”

“Tsk, didn’t you say you were confident you could reel him in?”

“Don’t bring that up. It’s hard enough just to see him now.” The voice was Zhu Yurou.

Lauren Shaw wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but she was stuck—staying or leaving might give herself away.

“Let Mom think of something for you. Recently your dad wants to give his assets to that illegitimate son—dream on! The Zhu family fortune belongs to us, mother and daughter!” Mrs. Zhu’s voice was thick with resentment, sharp and twisted.

“That Sophia Chandler has been crossing me all day, every day. If your dad didn’t think she was still useful, she’d be dead a hundred times over by now...”

“Mom,” Zhu Yurou interrupted, glancing around warily.

There was a loud crash. The pair looked at each other, eyes suddenly wary.

As the footsteps drew closer, Lauren Shaw held her breath.

“Who’s there?” Mrs. Zhu’s voice turned ice-cold.

Zhu Yurou strode to the corner and turned, but found no one—just an open window, the winter wind blowing in and knocking over a garbage bin in the corridor.

Seeing only the upended trash can, Zhu Yurou let out a sigh.

“It’s nothing, just a bin blown over by the wind.”

Mrs. Zhu let out a long breath.

“That bastard Zhu Xun—these years he’s done all sorts of sickening things behind my back. First it was that Sophia Chandler, now some illegitimate son pops up... I could just kill him!” She spat, as if she wanted nothing more than to skin the man alive.

“Don’t be angry, Mom. All the company shares are in my hands. If he wants any part of the Zhu inheritance from me, he’ll have to see if I’m willing to give it.”

“Xiaorou, you make me so proud.”

“Alright, don’t go parading your long face out here. It’s not a good look for you. You’re Zhu Tai-tai (Madam Zhu) in name and status—don’t let those little temptresses bother you.”

“I know, don’t worry. I’ll help you figure out a way to marry into the Shen family—once we have the Shens on our side, no one will dare bully us anymore.”

As their voices faded into the distance, Lauren Shaw slipped out from her hiding spot and reentered the banquet.

Back inside, Mrs. Zhu and Zhu Yurou were sitting not far off, Mrs. Zhu looking bitter as ever. Meanwhile, Zhu Xun circled the room, glass in hand, a pretty young woman on his arm—one barely older than Zhu Yurou.

Lauren Shaw instantly understood what that mother-daughter conversation had meant.

Sophia Chandler didn’t seem bothered. Tugging at the skirt of her dress, she sauntered over to Lauren Shaw.

“Sienna Shaw, where’d you go just now?”

The evening gown was a little too long for Sophia Chandler’s boisterous personality; in this getup, she felt utterly awkward, like a clumsy morning glory blossom.

“I just went to the restroom,” Lauren Shaw replied, but found herself absently thinking back to the conversation she'd overheard.

Noticing Lauren Shaw’s distraction, Sophia Chandler followed her gaze and saw she was watching Zhu Xun.

With a mocking smile, Sophia Chandler said, “That’s my dad. The lady next to him? Just some actress he just met.”

This sort of thing didn’t faze Sophia Chandler in the slightest; her father’s reputation was well known. Some people loved money, some loved beautiful women, and Zhu Xun definitely belonged to the latter group.

She wasn’t upset by it—on the contrary, she rather enjoyed it, mainly because certain people would get upset by it, which in turn amused her.

Then she glanced at Mrs. Zhu, whose smile looked more like a grimace than anything else. Sophia Chandler couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

“It’s hilarious,” she whispered.

Seeing her reaction, Lauren Shaw couldn’t help but grin as well. Sophia Chandler truly was a candid girl: unafraid to love, unafraid to hate.

As the banquet neared its end, people gathered in small groups, deep in energetic conversation—some discussing business, others tossing around project ideas...

Lauren Shaw was starting to feel bored. Just then, her phone rang—a call from Yancy Shaw. Her eyes lit up at once.

“Shengsheng, are you done yet?” Yancy Shaw’s voice was especially gentle.

She moved to a quieter spot to answer the call.

“Almost. Have you finished up?”

“Mm, I’m right outside the hotel now,” Yancy Shaw said, having parked his car.

With the banquet winding down, Lauren Shaw found her colleagues, said her goodbyes, and headed out.

Just as she stepped out, Yancy Shaw got out of his car and leaned against it, a soft, indulgent smile on his handsome face as he spotted her.

She was wearing an off-shoulder gown that bared her delicate shoulders, prompting Yancy Shaw’s gaze to darken slightly as he took off his jacket and draped it over her.

As soon as Lauren Shaw sat in the passenger seat, Yancy Shaw leaned in—and out of instinct, she closed her eyes.

A while passed before she heard his gentle laugh. “Shengsheng, I was just going to do your seatbelt.”

Lauren Shaw blushed slightly. “I thought you were going to kiss me.”

Yancy Shaw reached out and buckled her seatbelt, then leaned in, pressing a kiss gently to her forehead. Hands braced on the seat behind her, his gaze darkened. “If I kiss you, I’m afraid I won’t be able to stop wanting you.”