She stopped by her studio first to pick up an outfit for Claire Xu. It was a brand-new design she’d just finished, tailored specifically for Claire Xu.

Every season, she would prepare a few outfits for Claire Xu—not for any particular reason, but simply because Claire Xu was her best friend and she deserved it.

Claire Xu was now living in the old apartment she used to share with her grandmother. It couldn’t compare with the grandeur of the Xu family villa, but it was cozy—a far cry from the cold, impersonal atmosphere of her old home.

These days, things were much quieter without May Lee and her daughter around, and she felt a true sense of relief.

Lauren Shaw sat down on the sofa and settled into a comfortable position.

“Sheng Sheng, how are things with your Dr. Shen lately?”

Lauren Shaw wasn’t sure what she was getting at. She nodded. “We’re doing well.”

“That’s not what I meant.” Claire Xu grinned, looking mischievous.

Lauren Shaw understood in an instant—clearly, this seasoned tease was up to her old tricks.

“I bought you a gift. Saw it last time I went shopping and thought it’d suit you perfectly.” Claire Xu said, heading into her room to fetch a neatly wrapped gift box.

Lauren Shaw took it, still clueless.

Claire Xu raised an eyebrow, “Open it when you get home. If you open it here, the surprise will be spoiled. Best if you open it together with your Dr. Shen.”

“What’s so mysterious about it?” Lauren Shaw was a little puzzled, but obediently set the box aside to open later.

“You always give me clothes. I have to repay you with something good!” Claire Xu giggled.

Lauren Shaw wandered out to the balcony, surveying her surroundings. The apartment complex was old, but lively, and the inside was filled with warmth.

Her phone rang—it was Yancy Shaw calling.

Lauren Shaw answered.

“I’m at Claire Xu’s place,” she told him, remembering she’d messaged him when she left; he was probably busy then.

“I have another surgery later, so I might be home a bit late tonight.” Yancy Shaw’s voice was low and gentle.

Just then, Claire Xu changed into the outfit Lauren Shaw had brought, flung her arms around Lauren Shaw, and planted a big kiss on her cheek. “Babe, you’re so good to me! I love you to death! If I were a man, I’d pamper you every single day.”

She had no idea Lauren Shaw was on the phone, and at the other end, besides Yancy Shaw, Henry Mills was also listening.

In the silent office, Claire Xu’s voice rang out, especially clear.

Yancy Shaw’s voice dropped a few degrees. “Miss Xu.”

Claire Xu finally realized Lauren Shaw was on a call. She explained, “Don’t worry, Dr. Shen, I’m not going to steal Sheng Sheng from you. Sure, I like her, but she’ll only be truly happy with you. I just want the best for her.”

Hearing this, Henry Mills looked absolutely thunderstruck.

“Claire Xu, what are you talking about?”

Claire Xu’s lips twitched when she heard Henry Mills, but a moment later she shrugged it off. She hadn’t done anything wrong—why should she feel guilty?

“I said I like Sheng Sheng too, is that a problem?”

Henry Mills, thoroughly exasperated, hung up, staring at his phone in disbelief. Claire Xu frowned, baffled. “What’s with him? Did he lose it or something?”

Henry Mills, for his part, was fuming. He raged around his office: “She loves everyone but me. Flirts with everyone, but won’t ever love me!”

“Why are you so mad? She likes my wife and I’m not nearly this worked up,” Yancy Shaw said calmly. Women’s friendships are always like this, aren’t they? What’s the issue? Clearly, Henry Mills had misunderstood.

“You don’t get it, she…” Henry Mills hesitated, glancing at Yancy Shaw. He couldn’t bring himself to say it. The fact that Claire Xu liked women was his secret alone.

“She what?”

Henry Mills stopped and regained his composure. “Not telling. It’s our secret.”

“Still got a secret, but she’s not even into you?” Yancy Shaw’s eyes gleamed with amusement. What a hopeless case.

Flushed with embarrassment and anger, Henry Mills stormed out of the office.

……

Lauren Shaw looked at a thoroughly confused Claire Xu and couldn’t stop herself from asking, “So what’s actually going on between you and Henry Mills?”

“What do you think? He just assumes I… don’t like men, that’s all.” The last few words were clearly muttered, betraying a lack of confidence.

Lauren Shaw nearly spat out her water from laughing.

“So that’s why he’s mad?” Lauren Shaw stared at her incredulously. Judging by Henry Mills’s tone, it was almost certainly true.

“Exactly! He even forbade me from bringing home any vixens! Honestly, I only said that because I couldn’t think of a better way to reject him. Didn’t think he’d actually remember it.”

“That’s a pretty unique way to turn someone down.”

Claire Xu could only shrug helplessly. Who knew Henry Mills would fall so hard for her?

Lauren Shaw composed herself and looked at her seriously. “So what are your plans now?”

Now that Claire Xu was free from the Xu family, it’d probably be tough for her at work. George Xu would certainly make things difficult for her, hoping to push her into marrying someone from the Lawrence family.

“I haven’t decided yet. Maybe I’ll just take a break and rest for a while.” Claire Xu admitted she didn’t really have a plan yet.

“Why not join Shengmei?” Lauren Shaw suggested with a smile.

Claire Xu blinked. “Go to Shengmei?”

Lauren Shaw nodded. “You don’t want to?”

“Of course I do.” Claire Xu was actually worried about finding a job, and Lauren Shaw’s timing was perfect.

They chatted at home for a while, and before long, it was nearly dinnertime. Lauren Shaw recalled she’d promised to take Claire Xu out for drinks, and tonight was as good a time as any.

They picked a Western restaurant nearby and arrived after a short drive.

At the restaurant, the host led them to their reserved table.

Just as they sat down, they noticed someone approaching.

“Just my luck. Why’d we have to run into him here?” Claire Xu complained, glaring at the newcomer.

It had been a while since they’d seen him. Who would’ve thought they’d bump into him here today?

“Lauren Shaw, Claire Xu, fancy running into you here.” Yvonne Sung was dressed in an expensive tailored suit, looking thinner now, but with a sharper glint in his eyes.

“Is it that surprising?” Before Lauren Shaw could reply, Claire Xu shot back, clearly displeased.

Yvonne Sung’s eyes were locked on Lauren Shaw, his gaze filled with unreadable emotions. He ignored Claire Xu’s retort.

“Lauren Shaw, it’s been a while.”

A flash of sarcasm crossed Lauren Shaw’s eyes. “It’d be better if we hadn’t.”

She had almost forgotten all about him, but here he was again, seemingly doing quite well for himself, despite what happened with the Sung family.

Clearly, the acquisition of the Sung family hadn’t really harmed him.

Yvonne Sung didn’t seem to mind their attitude, even speaking amiably: “I was in the wrong before. To make it up to you, tonight’s dinner is on me.”

“No need. We can afford our own dinner. But now, honestly, we’ve lost our appetite.” Lauren Shaw said, blunt and unapologetic.

“Come on, Sheng Sheng, let’s eat somewhere else.”

Claire Xu took Lauren Shaw’s arm and led her toward the door.

Yvonne Sung called out after them, “No need to be so hostile. I don’t have any bad intentions.”