Zhu Yurou wasn’t the least bit surprised by her words.

“I hope you’ll give it some serious thought. After all, on the international stage, Feican is ahead of Shengmei in every respect.”

Shengmei had only risen to prominence in recent years. The Shen family’s businesses were rooted in electronics and real estate; their reach in the fashion industry was still shallow. Lately, Bryce Shaw was still busy developing new products.

In Zhu Yurou’s eyes, no one was immune to the lure of profit, and Lauren Shaw was no exception—or so she thought. But if Lauren Shaw had truly wanted to take a shortcut, she wouldn't need Zhu Yurou’s help at all.

Her uncle, Owen Shaw, had once suggested she develop her career overseas. In terms of resources, Owen Shaw was every bit Zhu Yurou’s equal. But Lauren Shaw was always laid-back, without much ambition, neither competing nor scheming—just quietly shining her own light.

“That’s not necessary. I’m not someone who measures everything by profit,” Lauren Shaw smiled as she politely declined.

Zhu Yurou already knew about her friendship with Li Qiuchi. Facing Lauren Shaw’s refusal, she only curled her lips into a confident smirk. “No need to answer now. When you’ve made up your mind, let me know. I’ll give you time to think it over.”

She was a smart woman, well versed in weighing pros and cons.

Lauren Shaw said nothing, but she had her own scales to weigh what, to her, was truly precious.

Zhu Yurou turned to greet other guests, while Lauren Shaw made her way back to Madam Chen’s side.

Madam Chen and Mrs. Zhu were enjoying a lively conversation. It was clear that Madam Chen had taken a liking to Zhu Yurou.

The art gallery was huge, spanning five floors.

Mrs. Zhu, having been here many times, comfortably led them around the exhibits. Nearly every other sentence she spoke was about Zhu Yurou.

Madam Chen wasn’t foolish; she could tell exactly what Mrs. Zhu was getting at.

In one quiet fifth-floor corner, a man and woman were laughing together. On the surface, they seemed to be admiring a piece of art, but their intimacy was unmistakable.

Mrs. Zhu had been cheerfully introducing the artwork, but when her gaze landed on the couple, her smile froze.

Lauren Shaw followed her line of sight and spotted Zhu Xun just a few meters away.

It would be one thing if he were alone, but beside him stood a beautiful young woman, the two of them leaning intimately toward each other. For Mrs. Zhu, it was a crushing blow to her dignity.

Zhu Xun kept moving closer to the woman, making her giggle over and over.

Lauren Shaw couldn’t help thinking, Zhu Xun really was incorrigible. His legitimate wife was right here, and he still dared to flirt outrageously with another woman in full view.

Then, in a flash, Mrs. Zhu rushed forward, grabbing the woman’s hair and delivering a stinging slap across her face.

“You shameless fox! How dare you show off in front of me?” At this point, Mrs. Zhu threw all elegance and composure out the window and let her fury explode.

Zhu Xun shielded the woman in his arms and barked impatiently at Mrs. Zhu, “What the hell is wrong with you? Let her go—now!”

Fortunately, there weren't many people around—just Lauren Shaw and Madam Chen. Still, airing such dirty laundry in public was mortifying.

Mrs. Zhu gripped the woman’s hair tightly, glaring daggers at Zhu Xun. “I’m crazy? Let me ask you—have you even thought about how this would affect Xiaorou? Today is her art exhibition!”

Normally, she would turn a blind eye to his mischief. But for him to act so shamelessly at their daughter’s exhibition—how could she possibly stay silent?

“What do you think you’re doing?” Zhu Yurou shot them an angry look.

Only at Zhu Yurou’s voice did Mrs. Zhu finally relent and let go.

The woman’s hair was left in wild disarray, with red scratch marks on her face. Zhu Xun told her to leave at once.

Compared to Mrs. Zhu’s fury, Zhu Yurou remained surprisingly calm.

Lauren Shaw gently pulled Madam Chen away.

Zhu Yurou gazed at her father, her eyes cold as ice.

“I don’t care who you’re with, but I have just one request—don’t ever bring that kind of woman in front of Mom again. She can’t handle it.”

Zhu Xun straightened his clothes with obvious annoyance. “You think I wanted her here? How was I supposed to know your mother would show up today?”

His tone oozed impatience and disgust, as if the wife and daughter before him were strangers irrelevant to his life.

Mrs. Zhu’s fists clenched tight, her whole body trembling with rage. “Zhu Xun!”

But the man remained utterly unmoved. Tugging at his collar, he muttered indifferently, “If someone had told me your mother was coming, I wouldn’t have even shown up today.”

With that, he turned and stalked away.

Mrs. Zhu stood there in defeated silence, tears streaming down her face.

“Do you want everyone to see you like this?” Zhu Yurou shot Mrs. Zhu a frosty glare. Though she hated Zhu Xun, some of her resentment was aimed at her mother as well.

“Xiaorou, this is all my fault,” Mrs. Zhu murmured in self-blame.

“And what good does that do? Our family scandal has already been witnessed. Be glad it was just Madam Shen who saw it, or else we’d be all over Ancheng’s trending searches by now.”

Only now did Mrs. Zhu recall that Madam Chen and Lauren Shaw had both watched the scene unfold. The thought left her pounding her head in regret.

On the way home, Madam Chen brought up the Zhu family’s affairs.

“I heard the Zhu family also has an illegitimate son—they just found him not long ago.” This was common knowledge among the city’s elite. Zhu Xun’s reputation had long been unsavory.

“Mrs. Zhu is pitiable, but among the wealthy, she’s hardly the only one who suffers.” Madam Chen’s sigh was all empathy.

When their car stopped in front of the building, Madam Chen said she wanted to stroll through the garden to clear her mind.

Lauren Shaw stepped out to accompany her.

After a walk around the garden, as they were about to head home, Lauren Shaw noticed Shen Wenting standing not far away.

“Dad,” Lauren Shaw greeted him politely.

Shen Wenting nodded, then turned to Madam Chen.

Madam Chen, still fuming, turned her head away and grabbed Lauren Shaw’s hand, her tone prickly. “Let’s go home, Shengsheng.”

Although Madam Chen was Shen Wenting’s second wife, he doted on her dearly.

Lauren Shaw didn’t know what had caused their latest quarrel, but judging by Madam Chen’s mood, it must have been quite serious.

Back home, Madam Chen sat perfectly upright on the sofa, refusing even to spare Shen Wenting a glance.

Lauren Shaw felt like the world’s most awkward third wheel. Her lingering would only make things worse.

With their daughter watching, Shen Wenting couldn’t swallow his pride. He quietly sat beside Madam Chen, weakly tugging at her sleeve.

“Xiaoqin, come home with me. Whatever it is, let’s talk at home.”

But Madam Chen refused to give him any satisfaction. She turned her head pointedly and replied in a frosty tone, “Go home? I’m not going anywhere!”

Shen Wenting kept trying to coax her.

Sensing it was time to make herself scarce, Lauren Shaw found a convenient excuse. “Mom, Dad, I made plans with a friend this afternoon, so I’ll head out.”

Leaving the house, Lauren Shaw finally breathed a sigh of relief.