"Slap!" The sharp sound of a hand striking flesh rang out, startlingly loud in the private room.

All eyes turned toward the source of the commotion.

Lauren Shaw rubbed her wrist, which still tingled from the force she’d used. Her gaze was icy as she stared down Xiao Pei. "Had enough? If not, you’re free to keep going. I only used a fraction of my strength. I don’t mind swelling up the other side of your face too."

Xiao Pei clutched her face in disbelief, her glare full of venom. "You hit me? That’s it, Lauren Shaw, I’m through with you!"

She lunged for Lauren Shaw—but before she could even get close, someone shoved her aside with force.

Stumbling several steps before she found her balance, Xiao Pei looked up to see Yancy Shaw shielding Lauren Shaw behind him, his eyes so dark that a chill swept through the room.

Lauren Shaw shot Yancy Shaw a look, signaling she had it under control. This was a fight between women—no need to drag the men into it.

"Xiao Pei, you've been coming after me since college. I've always let it go, but you never change. Still think I’m a pushover? Since everyone’s here tonight, let me make this clear: wherever I’m around, I don’t want to see you. So either avoid me, or behave yourself. Otherwise, I’ll slap you every time I see you."

Her voice was no joke. Some people just kept crossing the line with her because she played nice. She tried to keep the peace, but that only encouraged them to push further.

Though indignant, Xiao Pei was rattled by Lauren Shaw’s ruthless aura and fell silent, not daring to provoke her again.

Lauren Shaw slipped her hand into Yancy Shaw’s, suddenly all soft and sweet. "Let's go home."

Yancy Shaw cast Xiao Pei a meaningful glance before pushing the door open and leaving the private room with Lauren Shaw.

After they left, the tension remained thick, as if the atmosphere had frozen in place.

Xiao Pei’s eyes were bloodshot, her face streaked with spilled wine; she looked utterly pitiful.

"Come on, let’s drink! Why is everyone so tense?" Claire Xu nudged Ian Lawrence with her elbow, trying to lighten the mood.

Ian Lawrence snapped out of it, putting on a mischievous grin. "Let’s drink! Tonight, nobody leaves sober!"

Claire Xu strolled up to Xiao Pei and sighed. "Honestly, out of all people, why did you have to pick on Sheng Sheng? See how well that turned out for you? Do you really think you could win against her if she wanted to fight back?"

Lauren Shaw is no meek little lamb—her gentleness hides a steel core. Xiao Pei had picked the wrong person to mess with. Otherwise, Lauren Shaw wouldn't have slapped her in front of everyone like this.

"What could she possibly do to me? You think I’m afraid of her?" Xiao Pei talked tough, but her heart was already quaking—she just wouldn’t show it.

"No, no, she probably won’t do anything. But watch your mouth from now on, alright? Even I’m tempted to smack you sometimes," Claire Xu finished through gritted teeth. One look at the handprint on Xiao Pei’s cheek made it clear: Lauren Shaw hadn’t held back.

A beautiful slap indeed.

Outside the club, Yancy Shaw was walking out with Lauren Shaw when she suddenly remembered Claire Xu was still inside. She was about to turn back, not wanting to ditch her friend.

Yancy Shaw pulled her back into his arms. "Where are you going?"

"I’m going to get Claire Xu. She’s still inside."

"Someone’s coming to get her. Don’t worry." Just then, Henry Mills appeared at the door, visibly anxious. Spotting them, he asked, "Where’s Claire Xu?"

Yancy Shaw replied, "Inside," and gave him the room number.

Henry Mills hurried inside.

"Why didn’t you tell me Henry Mills was coming?"

"That blockhead’s completely clueless about these things. Someone’s got to give him a push." Yancy Shaw shook his head, helpless. Previously, Henry Mills used to make fun of him for not understanding romance—now, in love, Henry Mills was even more clueless.

Lauren Shaw couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

"You know, I agree. He really is a blockhead."

On this point, the young couple was in perfect agreement.

Meanwhile, that blockhead was weaving through the corridor, searching for the right room.

Back in the private room, Claire Xu was having a drinking contest with Ian Lawrence.

"Ian Lawrence, whoever doesn’t drink tonight is a wimp!"

"Whoever pukes is a wimp!" Ian Lawrence was determined to drown his sorrows tonight.

The two acted like brothers—Ian Lawrence threw an arm around Claire Xu’s shoulders, downing drink after drink.

"I know you like Sheng Sheng, but she’s married now. Time to let go."

"I can’t. I just want to stay close to her, to see her happy." Tipsy, Ian Lawrence blurted out the truth he usually kept bottled up.

Ah, poor dumb fool. Such a hopeless crush.

Claire Xu patted his head, coaxing him gently. "Be good—listen to me, find yourself a good girl."

Just then, the door flew open and Henry Mills marched in. Seeing the two of them so close on the couch, with Claire Xu still patting Ian Lawrence’s head, Henry Mills’s face darkened in a flash—anyone could see he was jealous.

He stormed over and pulled Ian Lawrence aside, glaring at Claire Xu as if fire might shoot from his eyes. Through clenched teeth, he spat out, "What are you doing?!"

Claire Xu thought she was seeing things, and reached out to pinch Henry Mills’s face. "Huh? Henry Mills? What are you doing here?"

Henry Mills batted her hand away, fuming at this drunken mess of a woman. “If I hadn’t come, who knows what could’ve happened to you tonight?”

"Tch, who do you think I am? I’m the eldest daughter of the Xu family—who would dare mess with me? I’d make them pay!"

Even as she grumbled, Henry Mills couldn’t help but want to hit himself for falling for this little troublemaker.

Ian Lawrence, having been shoved off, threw his arms around Henry Mills from behind, hugging his waist tight. "Ming ge, are you here to drink with me too?"

Henry Mills shuddered all over, shaking him off immediately. "Get off! I don’t swing that way!"

Rebuffed, Ian Lawrence collapsed onto the couch, looking utterly betrayed. He didn’t want to stay, didn’t want to play anymore—he just wanted to go home.

Henry Mills bent down and scooped up Claire Xu. "Honestly, you’re going to be the death of me!"

As she was lifted off the ground, Claire Xu looped her arms around his neck. "Henry Mills, hold me tight. Don’t drop me."

"Hmph, you’re my precious ‘aunt.’ I’d drop myself before I dropped you." Even as he said it, he found himself smiling—it was always like this with Claire Xu.

Claire Xu squinted at him, drunken eyes unfocused. She could tell it was Henry Mills, but everything seemed hazy.

She mumbled, “Henry Mills… I like you. Let me take care of you.”