Lauren Shaw's cheeks were flushed, her ears burning, and the tip of her nose was filled with his scent—a gentle trace of disinfectant blended with rich sandalwood, touched by a hint of winter’s crispness. It was intoxicating.

She reached out with a soft fist and thumped his chest, her eyes glimmering as she urged, "Let’s go home."

Seeing her so bashful, Yancy Shaw stopped teasing her, sat up straight, and started the car.

Looking out the window, Lauren Shaw noticed another car parked nearby. Was it just her imagination? She thought she had seen Eva Snow. When Yancy Shaw kissed her, she’d clearly glimpsed the twisted jealousy on Eva Snow's face.

Soft music flowed in the car as Yancy Shaw drove; Lauren Shaw was wrapped in his coat, surrounded by its warmth and his scent.

She called to him quietly. "Hubby."

He answered, and seeing exhaustion between her brows, softened, "Tired?"

She shook her head. "I saw Eva Snow today. I think I saw her just now too."

Yancy Shaw was silent for a moment. "The Snow family arranged a marriage for her in East China. I heard she’s getting married before the New Year."

So fast? They must be desperate to marry Eva Snow off before she causes any more trouble.

"Looks like the Snow family can get things done when they want to!" Lauren Shaw couldn’t help but joke.

If only they'd acted sooner, none of this would have happened.

Thinking of what she’d overheard at the banquet today, Lauren Shaw shared it with Yancy Shaw.

"Do you know who the Zhu family’s illegitimate child is?" Yancy Shaw always seemed to know everything.

Lauren Shaw’s curiosity was piqued. "Who is it?"

"You really want to know?"

Judging by his tone, Lauren Shaw felt her brow twitch. This man always liked keeping secrets at critical moments—how exasperating.

"How come you know so much? You're like a walking intelligence bureau." She was genuinely curious; he spent all his time at the hospital, yet seemed to know every twist of the powerful families’ affairs.

Yancy Shaw just smiled, staying silent as he continued driving.

"Do you think Second Brother will marry Zhu Yurou?" Lauren Shaw asked.

"Do you think he’d be willing?" Yancy Shaw tossed the question back calmly.

The three Shen brothers were all stubborn by nature. Just look at Big Brother and Mandy Snow—married, but left with nothing but an empty house. Thinking about it, Mandy Snow was actually rather pitiful.

Getting Second Brother to marry Zhu Yurou? Probably impossible. But Mrs. Zhu was determined to try. Lauren Shaw wondered what tricks she might have up her sleeve.

"No matter what tricks she tries, it won’t work," Yancy Shaw said, knowing Bryce Shaw better than anyone. "We’re twins, after all. I know exactly what kind of man he is—we’re both hopeless romantics."

"Then who is this Zhu family illegitimate child you just mentioned?" Lauren Shaw circled back to the topic.

Yancy Shaw turned, looking at her seriously. "Shengsheng, there are some things I’d rather you not know too much about. The business world is dangerous, and I don’t want to drag you into it."

Within his power, he wanted to protect her from any harm.

Lauren Shaw nodded. "Okay, I won’t ask."

She took his advice. If he wasn’t willing to say, it meant now wasn’t the time—eventually, she’d find out what she needed to know.

Yancy Shaw took her hand, lifted it to his lips, and kissed it gently. "You worked hard today."

After a long day, it was finally time to relax.

Lauren Shaw’s stomach let out a rumble. She hadn’t eaten much at the banquet, and only now did she realize how hungry she was.

"You didn’t eat tonight?"

Lauren Shaw shook her head. "No."

With the atmosphere like that, she couldn’t get anything down, anyway.

—

Watching their car drive away, Eva Snow sat in her own vehicle, eyes fixed tightly on their departing taillights. She didn’t look away until they were completely out of sight.

"Still can’t let it go?" Mandy Snow asked carelessly.

Eva Snow gripped her hands together, knuckles whitening. Let it go? How could she?

"If it were you, could you let it go?" She stared at Mandy Snow, voice cold.

Mandy Snow sneered, "And what if you can’t? The Snow family won’t let you cause trouble again. Stop playing with fire—next time, you won’t be so lucky."

It wasn’t an empty threat. That she’d come back in one piece was already luck; if not, even if something truly happened to her, the old master wouldn’t care.

Because in the Snow family, a woman’s life was worth less than nothing.

"Aunt, why are you saying this? After what that bitch Lauren Shaw did to me, none of you will help me get justice. Instead, you all pretend it never happened—I can’t!"

Every time she looked in the mirror, rage bubbled up. Without Lauren Shaw, she’d never have ended up like this.

Mandy Snow sighed softly, "Your grandfather already arranged a marriage for you. Make the most of this time to adjust yourself. When you go to East China, you can’t afford to be so reckless."

Eva Snow's face twisted with fury. "I won’t marry! I’d rather have died in F Country than marry that cripple. Why did everything change as soon as I got back? Why are you doing this to me?"

Before Mandy Snow could speak, she flung open the car door and ran out, wild with anger.

By the time Mandy Snow chased after her, Eva Snow had already flagged down a cab and disappeared. Massaging her brow in frustration, Mandy Snow pulled out her phone and called Fang Lin.

—

Yancy Shaw parked the car by the roadside, right on a popular food street across from the university. It was the weekend, so the whole street thrummed with people and the air was thick with the scent of all kinds of delicacies.

Lauren Shaw pointed at a barbecue stall not far away. "Hubby, I want to eat there."

Yancy Shaw got out and took her hand; together, they walked toward the stall.

They were both tall, and with Yancy Shaw’s striking looks, it wasn’t long before a group of young women started casting curious glances their way.

Lauren Shaw, draped in his coat and in her high heels, already stood out—and in a place like this, she felt a little out of place.

But the couple ignored the stares. Lauren Shaw was focused on the food; right now, she was starving.

After sitting down at the barbecue stall, she quickly ordered a plate of skewers and some beer.

Yancy Shaw pulled up a chair beside her.

"It’s been ages since I’ve had barbecue here," Lauren Shaw remarked with nostalgia. When she’d been in college, she and Claire Xu were regulars.

"Miss, long time no see!" the stall’s proprietress greeted her warmly.

Lauren Shaw grinned. "Yes, it’s been quite a while." She hadn’t expected the lady to remember her.

The proprietress was a gentle woman with a kind, crescent-eyed smile. Spotting Yancy Shaw, she couldn’t help but marvel—just by his bearing, she could tell he came from money.

When the food arrived, Lauren Shaw tucked in with satisfaction. Nothing beat the comfort of skewers enjoyed outside.