Claire Xu shot back without missing a beat. "Whether Mr. Su has ill intentions or not, that's none of our business. We just don't want to see you. Honestly, you ruin our appetites."

When it came to shameless people like him, there was nothing left to do but keep their distance.

Lauren Shaw didn't spare so much as a glance, simply linking her arm through Claire Xu's and walking straight out of the restaurant.

Yvonne Sung remained standing, silently watching their retreating backs. His hands curled into tight fists at his sides, eyes shadowed with complicated emotion...

They had only just stepped outside when Ian Lawrence called, inviting them to a class reunion later that evening.

The two had just been about to look for someplace to eat, but now, with the dinner plans settled, they set off for the gathering instead.

"That Yvonne Sung... I heard he disappeared for a while. Even Hugo Pierce couldn't get in touch with him lately. Who knows what he's been up to?" Claire Xu remarked, rather suspicious.

"All the Sung family's shares have been bought out, but seeing him today, he didn't look nearly as down-and-out as I'd imagined. In fact, he looks even better than before," Lauren Shaw voiced her own doubts.

A sense of unease lingered over both of them. Lauren Shaw couldn't shake the feeling that something odd had happened during Yvonne Sung's mysterious absence.

"I'll ask Hugo Pierce," Claire Xu said, pulling out her phone. But no matter how many times she dialed, there was no answer. "What has Hugo Pierce been busy with lately? He won't even pick up."

She muttered under her breath, setting her phone aside. Then she comforted Lauren Shaw: "No matter what Yvonne Sung's up to, we've got nothing to fear. I've got your back, girl."

Lauren Shaw couldn't help but laugh. "If he really tried something, I wouldn't be scared. Not with Yancy Shaw around. There's nothing to worry about."

They drove to the restaurant where the gathering was being held. Ian Lawrence was waiting at the door for them.

Inside the private room, everyone was crowded around a big table, lively chatter filling the air. As soon as Lauren Shaw and Claire Xu walked in, people called out, "Our class designer and international model have arrived!"

Lauren Shaw and Claire Xu had just taken their seats when someone piped up, "I heard Lauren Shaw got married? How could you not invite us to celebrate?"

"We haven't set the wedding date yet," Lauren Shaw explained. "But when it happens, of course you'll all be there."

"So, what does your husband do? And why isn't he with you tonight?" someone else asked, curiosity bubbling over.

"He's a doctor," Lauren Shaw replied. "He's in surgery tonight and couldn't make it. Next time, I'll bring him along."

Everyone was curious about Lauren Shaw's husband. After all, she had mentioned before that she was about to get married, but nobody knew about the canceled engagement. Tonight, she'd decided to clear the air.

"Didn't you all see that trending topic last time? If you had, you wouldn't be asking," sneered Xiao Pei. Back in college, she and Lauren Shaw never got along, and even now, after all these years, her bias lingered.

"What trending topic?" Not everyone followed such things, so only a handful knew what she meant.

Xiao Pei gave a cold laugh and was about to explain when Claire Xu cut her off.

"Xiao Pei, I heard your clinic got investigated. How did you handle that mess?"

After graduation, Xiao Pei had opened a cosmetic surgery clinic. Rumor had it someone had died there not long ago, and her family had to pay a fortune to settle it.

As a model, Claire Xu had friends who'd visited that clinic and picked up the latest gossip.

Xiao Pei hadn't expected Claire Xu to know about it—she'd gone to a lot of trouble to keep it quiet. How could Claire Xu have found out?

Under the scrutiny of everyone in the room, Xiao Pei forced an awkward smile. "My clinic's doing just fine. Nothing happened. You must've heard wrong."

"Oh? Maybe I remembered it wrong then," Claire Xu replied, giving her a warning look. Still, there was always someone eager for a fight.

"Lauren Shaw, wasn't there some ex-fiancé you ditched? And then you jumped into another marriage right away? That's a surprise!" someone prodded.

Lauren Shaw merely arched a brow, eyeing Xiao Pei, who was watching her with a smug, mocking expression.

"You…" Claire Xu started to retort, but Lauren Shaw caught her hand, signaling she'd handle it herself.

"I've already explained what happened. If you want to keep obsessing over it, that's your problem, not mine. But when it comes to whirlwind marriages—I still can't compete with your pace."

Lauren Shaw's tone was open and unapologetic, her gaze clear and dismissive.

Xiao Pei was instantly at a loss for words.

As if recalling something, Lauren Shaw added, "Three years since graduation—and you've already been divorced twice. I heard your last breakup happened because you cheated during your marriage and got caught by your ex-husband..."

"You're making things up!" Xiao Pei cut her off with a shrill cry.

No one had expected a class reunion to turn into a dramatic spectacle. The room buzzed with gossip.

Lauren Shaw pushed back, "Am I? Or were you just making things up about me a moment ago?"

Like a cat with her tail stepped on, Xiao Pei glared at her, seething. "You're just a washed-up nobody—what are you so proud of?"

Lauren Shaw took it all in stride, only smiling wider. "A nobody? Xiao Pei, isn't that you? I have a husband and a happy family now. Not like you—twice divorced and still clueless."

Xiao Pei flushed scarlet with rage. Humiliated in front of so many people, she ground her teeth, grabbed a glass of wine, and made to throw it at Lauren Shaw.

Ian Lawrence, who had just come in, reacted quickly, blocking Xiao Pei's outburst. "What do you think you're doing?"

Xiao Pei's eyes went red with tears. Ian Lawrence had been her crush—she'd confessed to him countless times, but he never liked her back. His heart belonged to Lauren Shaw.

That was the root of Xiao Pei's resentment toward Lauren Shaw—especially now that Lauren Shaw's life was going so well.

"She’s nothing but a fickle slut—do you really think she’s worth protecting?" Xiao Pei raged, uncaring of the scene she was making.

Everyone knew Ian Lawrence liked Lauren Shaw. Even now, though Ian Lawrence tried to keep things platonic since Lauren Shaw was married, Xiao Pei’s outburst made things awkward.

He replied coldly, "I'll protect whoever I want. Who are you to question it?"

Lauren Shaw's voice chilled as she turned to Xiao Pei. "I don't recall ever having much to do with you, but you've been targeting me since college. I let it go before, but that doesn't mean I'll let you slander or bully me without consequence."

Under the bright lights, her poised and striking face was even more captivating.

Sensing the tension reaching its peak, Claire Xu lightened the mood. "This dish is pretty good, Shengsheng—try some."

Lauren Shaw ignored Xiao Pei from then on. She'd come out tonight to enjoy a meal, after all, and that's what she intended to do.

Seeing the confrontation ease off, the other classmates quickly tried to smooth things over.

Xiao Pei, cowed by Lauren Shaw's gaze, wanted to retort but didn't dare.

...

It was only after the crowd had gossiped enough that they resumed acting as peacemakers.

After dinner, someone suggested karaoke. Not wanting to spoil the fun, Lauren Shaw joined them.