Sean Snow frowned in confusion. "But today’s the negotiation with MK. Such an important matter—how could Second Brother Shen not show up?"
Yancy Shaw fell silent, and it was Chris Cooper who spoke for him: "President Shen had urgent business to handle and couldn't come today."
Sean Snow recognized the hint and didn’t press further.
Yancy Shaw’s eyes landed on Yvonne Sung, who stood beside Sean Snow.
Noticing this, Sean Snow quickly made introductions. "This is the project manager from Wanrui Group. We're here to discuss a partnership. Honestly, I didn't want to come, but the old man at my house insisted."
Yancy Shaw stayed silent, so Sean Snow continued, introducing them. "This is the third son of the Shen family and a good friend of mine—Yancy Shaw."
He clearly didn’t realize the history between Yvonne Sung and Yancy Shaw and thought this was their first meeting.
Yvonne Sung extended his hand, gazing at Yancy Shaw with a subtle, meaningful look. "Third Young Master Shen, I've heard a great deal about you."
Yancy Shaw simply lowered his eyes, staring coldly at Yvonne Sung’s outstretched hand, making no move to shake it.
Seeing this, Chris Cooper offered his own hand for a quick shake, wondering how someone like Yvonne Sung ended up as Wanrui Group’s project lead.
Back when Yvonne Sung stole Lauren Shaw’s manuscripts, the scandal created quite a stir. Who could have thought Wanrui would still want him after all that?
Lauren Shaw stood silently to the side, a thousand unanswered questions swirling in her mind. How had Yvonne Sung gotten involved with the Snow family? And how did he become Wanrui’s project head? He’d disappeared for over a month—where had he been? What was his real aim this time?
So many questions left her at a loss.
Not far away, laughter broke out as several blonde-haired, blue-eyed foreigners approached. Leading them was an older man—presumably Allen—with a young girl at his side, around eighteen.
She was beautiful, though her face was expressionless. The men around her chatted and joked, but the girl remained cold and indifferent, as if none of it had anything to do with her.
Soon, the group reached them.
Allen scrutinized Yancy Shaw up and down, then asked in Mandarin, "And who is this?"
Chris Cooper quickly explained, "He’s President Shen's younger brother, Yancy Shaw. President Shen had an accident, so he sent his brother to negotiate instead."
Allen pursed his lips and didn’t ask further.
The group switched to English to chat, leaving Lauren Shaw on the sidelines.
Honestly, she wasn’t needed in this sort of setting. Ms. Chen had only asked her to come along to accompany Yancy Shaw, so here she was.
The woman next to Allen was named Faye—his daughter. Word was her health wasn’t great, and this trip to Ancheng was mainly to let her relax.
Yancy Shaw spoke with them in fluent English.
The conversation soon became animated. Their hearty laughter made it clear they were getting along well.
Allen’s eye was soon drawn to the strikingly beautiful woman seated under a parasol.
"And her?"
"My wife," Yancy Shaw replied.
Lauren Shaw met his gaze—the look in his eyes was warm and intense.
She sat beneath the parasol.
Yancy Shaw wore sunglasses, a golf club in both hands; every gesture was elegant and mesmerizing.
Also seated under the parasol was Mandy Snow, also in sunglasses. Her expression was unreadable, but Lauren Shaw could still sense her occasional sideways glances.
Lauren Shaw’s attention drifted to the young woman sitting under the other parasol—not far away. She’d overheard the girl's name earlier: Faye, Allen’s daughter. Pale and out of sorts, Faye stared blankly ahead, her whole demeanor cold and withdrawn.
"In an occasion like this, what do you think you can actually bring to the table by coming along?" Mandy Snow’s voice was distant, almost as if she were complaining that Lauren Shaw shouldn’t have come.
"Does one have to be useful to come to these things? Aren’t you here too, Sister-in-law? Doesn’t seem like you’re being any more useful than I am."
At first, Lauren Shaw hadn’t understood why Ms. Chen wanted her here, but now it was clear: probably because she expected Mandy Snow to come as well.
Mandy Snow gave a dismissive laugh. "I know Allen. He’s a friend of my father's."
"And? Are you here representing the Shen family, or the Snow family?" Lauren Shaw decided to cut straight to the point.
That question wiped the smile off Mandy Snow’s face instantly. "Of course, I’m here for the Shen family."
Lauren Shaw gave a soft, ironic chuckle. "Oh, really? Then why do I keep seeing you eyeing Wanrui’s people?"
For a while, she’d been watching Mandy Snow, noting how her gaze continually drifted to the Wanrui group.
Today's negotiation was absolutely critical. If they secured MK Group’s agency, the Shen or Snow family would dominate Ancheng’s market. That’s why both families were so eager for a piece of the action.
Mandy Snow’s position was uniquely tricky—who knew if she’d secretly help the Snow family and sabotage the Shen family from within?
Mandy Snow took off her sunglasses and stared, her tone impatient. "Lauren Shaw, you tell me—which eye of yours saw me staring at Wanrui?"
Beneath her sophisticated façade was a ruthlessness no one else was supposed to see. But Lauren Shaw saw her ambition clear as day—and wasn’t afraid to point it out.
Couldn’t hold it in anymore, could she?
The corners of Lauren Shaw’s lips rose. With her sunglasses on, Mandy Snow couldn’t guess what was in her eyes.
"Sister-in-law," Lauren Shaw replied coolly, "no need to ask me questions like that. Only you can know what’s really in your heart."
Not far away, Yancy Shaw turned and walked over. Lauren Shaw took a bottle of water and handed it to him.
Seeing the sweat on his brow, she took out a tissue and wiped it away.
Such a small, everyday gesture—but to Yvonne Sung, watching from the side, it stung.
Yancy Shaw caught Lauren Shaw's hand and lightly kissed it.
"How’s the negotiation going?" Lauren Shaw asked. During the earlier conversation, she’d noticed the MK Group president occasionally watching them. He was likely just worried about his daughter, Faye.