Lauren Shaw answered the phone, finding it odd—she’d been angry just moments before, but the moment she heard Yancy Shaw’s voice, the anger melted away.
“Baby, what are you up to?” Yancy Shaw’s tone was soft, unaware of the swirling storm of online rumors.
Lauren Shaw replied, “Just at home.”
Picking up her tone wasn’t exactly cheerful, Yancy Shaw pressed, “Why do you sound down?”
Lauren Shaw paused for a moment, then switched topics. “What’s going on with that trending topic?”
“What trending topic?”
“You and the singer Qin Jia,” she deliberately drew out her words. “The two of you meeting secretly at a hotel—dating rumors exposed…”
With today’s gossip mills, just a single photo and some suggestive words were enough to let people’s imaginations run wild.
Yancy Shaw opened the photo she’d sent him. After a few seconds, he chuckled, “Shengsheng, it’s all fake.”
She knew it was fake, of course, but she just couldn’t get over it. She didn’t like seeing Yancy Shaw with another woman—especially one who obviously had her sights set on him. It made her unhappy.
Not hearing a reply from Lauren Shaw, Yancy Shaw’s voice grew cautious. “Baby, are you ignoring me now?”
“No,” Lauren Shaw answered, but there was a clear edge to her voice, one Yancy Shaw immediately recognized as a sign she was upset.
“Baby, wait for me. I’ll handle this and call you back,” he said quickly.
He didn’t want Lauren Shaw upset. If his wife was unhappy, he was at fault—and he had to make it right.
As soon as he hung up, Yancy Shaw dialed another number.
“Clear up the rumors about me today. Get that trending topic taken down. And find the person who posted that picture—spreading false information, they’ll need to be sued.”
Yuan Ran was momentarily startled. “Third Young Master, should we announce you’re married, too?”
Wasn’t that obvious? Otherwise, how would it be clarified?
Yancy Shaw didn’t reply, letting the silence settle for a few seconds before Yuan Ran hurriedly said, “I understand what to do.”
After hanging up, Yuan Ran took a deep breath—yikes, Third Young Master’s silence was scarier than words. Even over the phone, the chill was palpable.
Once he’d given those orders, Yancy Shaw called Lauren Shaw back.
“Shengsheng, don’t be mad at me, okay?” He hurried to explain what had really happened that day, worried she would stay upset.
She trusted that Yancy Shaw wouldn’t betray her, but she couldn’t help it—possessiveness gnawed at her. She didn’t want to see him with other women, and the feeling left her frustrated and defeated.
She teased, “Oh, I’m not angry at all. Honestly, you two looked great together in that picture…”
Hearing the edge in her teasing, Yancy Shaw couldn’t help but laugh softly. “Baby, are you jealous?”
Yancy Shaw was clearly in a good mood. “My second brother’s being discharged from the hospital today. After resting at home for a while, he can take over the company.”
He’d been busy with work lately and hardly had time for her.
He actually enjoyed Lauren Shaw’s possessiveness—her jealousy showed she cared.
Lauren Shaw just gave a flat "Oh," her spirits still low.
“Baby, it’s my fault. If you’re mad, just say so—don’t bottle it up.”
Hearing him coaxing her so softly, Lauren Shaw couldn’t help but laugh.
Outside her room, Mother Li called her to come eat. She said a few words to Yancy Shaw, then hung up.
You had to hand it to Yancy Shaw, his crisis management was fast—within five minutes, the company had issued an official statement.
Yancy Shaw also posted a picture on his private account: a fair-skinned woman cuddled in his arms, their gazes soft and full of affection. The look in Yancy Shaw’s eyes was gentle, almost doting.
The caption read: “Blessed to have such a lovely wife.”
The comments exploded.
“Now, this is true love. Look at those eyes—they’re about to melt!”
“Seriously, what’s all this about hyping rumors? Dr. Shen’s been married for ages—what scandal is there to expose?”
“A business meeting counts as a secret tryst now? Give me a break!”
…
After Yancy Shaw’s statement, Qin Jia also released hers: “Cooperative relationship—please don’t overthink it.”
Frankly, if anyone looked like a fool in this situation, it was Qin Jia—everyone could see her feelings for Yancy Shaw weren’t exactly innocent.
After dinner, Owen Shaw suddenly received a call from East China: a matter at the company required his immediate attention.
Lauren Shaw took him to the airport.
"At least you have a bit of heart, seeing me off," he teased. Lauren Shaw was his niece; he’d practically raised her and doted on her as his own.
Lauren Shaw looked at him, unwilling to see him go. “Uncle, take care of yourself in East China, and come back whenever you can.”
When they were kids, the whole family was often together—she hadn’t understood the sting of parting. Only now did she realize how rare those moments were.
Owen Shaw patted her head, just as he had when she was a child. “Come visit me in East China when you have time. I’ll take you out for good food.”
Back then, the promise of treats would make her eyes light up. Now, those words didn’t hold much temptation, but they still brought back a flood of memories.
“Okay, it’s a promise!” Lauren Shaw grinned mischievously.
“You little rascal—no one’s ever taken advantage of their uncle like you do. I raised you for nothing!” Despite the mock scolding, his eyes were full of tenderness.
Owen Shaw turned with his luggage and headed toward the boarding gate. Lauren Shaw only left after his figure disappeared from view.
After a few steps, she bumped into a man in a wheelchair, flanked by two tall bodyguards—he looked more than a little intimidating.
They weren’t acquainted well enough to exchange greetings, so Lauren Shaw intended to walk right past him.
But the man called out to her.
"Miss Li."
Lauren Shaw stopped, surprised he knew her name.
Seeing her confusion, the man smiled gently. “Don’t worry, I saw you in a fashion show once.”
His smile was warm, like a sunny boy next door—a shame he looked a bit frail in his wheelchair.
"Hello, I’m Mo Qinglin," he introduced himself.
Lauren Shaw nodded politely, keeping her distance—she didn’t like chatting much with strangers, especially knowing he was Eva Snow’s future husband. That made her even less inclined.