What happened all those years ago is the demon in her heart—something she can’t forget or forgive her father for.
Lauren Shaw noticed her state and asked anxiously, “Are you… okay?”
In all the time they’d known each other, this was the first time Lauren Shaw had seen her so out of control. She had no idea what Zhu Yurou had said to provoke her.
Although Chloe Shaw had regained her composure, the trace of pain in her eyes hadn’t faded.
Le Rong and Yuan Qi found them at this moment. Seeing Chloe Shaw’s condition, Le Rong said guiltily, “This is my fault, isn’t it? If I’d known, I never would’ve taken their company’s ad. They’re just bullying you, plain and simple.”
“It’s fine, Rong-jie, it’s not your fault. None of us could have predicted this from the start.” Chloe Shaw hadn’t expected Zhu Yurou to dig into her past either.
She turned to Lauren Shaw standing beside her. “Thank goodness you were there today, Lauren Shaw. If you hadn’t walked in when you did, I probably would’ve slapped Zhu Yurou right there.”
If she’d lost control and acted out at such an occasion, people would have had real dirt on her—and another stain on her name.
“Qiu Chi-jie, you don’t look well. Maybe you should go home and get some rest,” Lauren Shaw said, still full of concern.
Chloe Shaw nodded, and Yuan Qi helped her into the car. Only after watching them drive off did she turn and head into the studio.
After only a few steps, she ran into Zhu Yurou coming out.
Zhu Yurou gave her a smile that was not quite a smile. “Miss Li, you really have a kind heart, making friends with an actress like her.”
Lauren Shaw’s eyes went cold. “And you think you’re so pure? You’re just wearing a mask—why put yourself on such a pedestal?”
She hadn’t wanted to bother with Zhu Yurou, but the woman always pushed her luck. Everyone knew about the mess in the Zhu family; beneath her pretty surface, she was just a hypocrite. Lauren Shaw really couldn’t fathom where her superiority complex came from.
Zhu Yurou didn’t care about her words at all. On the contrary, she cast her a pitying look. “Just a word of advice—keep your wits about you. Otherwise, one day, you might get stabbed in the back and not even know it.”
“People like you probably don’t know what’s truly valuable. I almost feel sorry for you, because you’ll never have genuine happiness—you only see deception and self-interest.”
Her friendship with Chloe Shaw wasn’t about calculation or benefit; they were simply sincere with each other, a concept Zhu Yurou would never grasp.
Lauren Shaw’s words left Zhu Yurou briefly startled, but soon enough she sneered, “Everything between people is about interests. No such thing as true, pure feelings. And if there ever appears to be, it’s just an illusion.”
In Zhu Yurou’s world, only profit endured.
Talking to her felt pointless to Lauren Shaw.
“Whatever you believe is your own business. I’ve said my piece, whether you listen is up to you.”
With that, she turned and walked into the studio, disregarding Zhu Yurou entirely.
……
That night, Lauren Shaw returned home.
As soon as she opened the door, a delicious aroma greeted her. Aunt Zhao was still busy in the kitchen. Hearing the door, she poked her head out for a peek.
“Third Young Madam, you’re home!”
Aunt Zhao was the housekeeper at the Shen family. Since Yancy Shaw had been on a business trip lately, he’d worried that Lauren Shaw wouldn’t eat well on her own and had specially arranged for Aunt Zhao to look after her.
The scent made her stomach rumble in anticipation.
Aunt Zhao brought out the soup and set it on the dining table, ladling out a bowl while she spoke, “Madam says Third Young Madam's health is too delicate—she has to eat more, or she won’t be able to handle Third Young Master’s exuberance.”
Lauren Shaw nearly choked at Aunt Zhao’s comment.
Realizing she’d overstepped, Aunt Zhao patted her own lips. “Listen to me, running my mouth about all sorts of nonsense.”
She took off her apron and, after a few more words, took her leave.
Left alone at the table, Lauren Shaw gazed at the delicious spread and suddenly missed Yancy Shaw terribly.
She picked up her phone and sent Yancy Shaw a video call. After a few rings, he answered. His handsome face filled the screen.
“Baby, have you had dinner?” On his end it was noisy—he was probably dining with business partners. He walked out of the private room, found a quiet corner, and focused on her.
“I’m eating now.” Lauren Shaw’s voice was a little muffled, her mood a bit low.
Yancy Shaw caught her mood immediately, his tone gentle. “Tell your husband who’s making you unhappy?”
“No one, really. I just…miss you.” Alone in the empty house, her loneliness was hard to shake.
At her words, Yancy Shaw’s lips curved up in a smile; even he didn’t realize how soft his expression became.
“I’ll be home in a couple of days, okay? Don’t be sad, sweet girl.”
The gentleness in his coaxing made Lauren Shaw smile despite herself. After chatting for a while longer, they hung up. Yancy Shaw turned back toward the private room, just as Xavier Quinn approached, having apparently just gotten off a call himself.
Yancy Shaw paused, one hand in his pocket, arching a brow.
Xavier Quinn drew near, his eyes glinting with understated amusement.
“Brother-in-law, you really are full of surprises.”
“You’re not so ordinary yourself.”
Both exchanged knowing smiles as they pushed open the private room door and walked in.
Inside, Sheng Hanxia lifted her wine glass in a toast to Yancy Shaw as soon as he entered.
She raised her glass with a bright smile, but her gaze lingered on Xavier Quinn—the affection in her eyes obvious. Yancy Shaw, no fool, looked back at Xavier Quinn meaningfully and lifted his own glass, “President Qiao, care for a drink?”
Xavier Quinn reached for his wine glass, only for Sheng Hanxia to press it down.
“President Shen, President Qiao can’t drink. Let me drink on his behalf.” She tipped her head back and downed her glass in one bold, fluid motion.
Her performance was almost over-the-top—she practically dared everyone there not to notice her feelings for Xavier Quinn.
Xavier Quinn didn’t respond—not even a glance her way. He picked up a wine glass beside him instead, raising it to Yancy Shaw. “I’ll drink first.”
The room fell silent—everyone was watching them. Only then did Director Liu chime in, “Our President Qiao is a man of sentiment. His wife doesn’t like him drinking, so normally, he abstains.”
That explanation made sense. Sheng Hanxia’s face, however, turned an unsightly shade. She’d expected Xavier Quinn to indulge her, but he wouldn’t even give her that small courtesy.
Liu’s explanation only made things clearer—Xavier Quinn was married, and as such, should maintain proper distance. Who in the room could miss what she was trying to do?
Yancy Shaw said nothing, downing his drink in a single go.