A warm touch brushed against her waist. When she turned, Yancy Shaw was by her side, his elegant face softened with affection. "Why are you here? I’ve been looking for you," he murmured, slipping an arm around her waist. His tone was gentle as he glanced dispassionately at the pair across from them, not even bothering with a greeting, steering Lauren Shaw away.

Lauren Shaw nestled against him, the perfect picture of a gentle, reliant lover, though her mind was still on what she’d overheard. She wondered how to share it with him.

"I have something to tell you," she said, taking his hand. But with all the people milling around, she hesitated to whisper secrets in public—this wasn’t exactly a glorious topic.

Yancy Shaw lowered his gaze to her, his voice soft. "Shengsheng, stay away from them from now on."

She didn’t quite understand him, but she nodded obediently.

Lauren Shaw was about to speak when Mandy Snow approached, smiling at her. "Lauren Shaw, the person over there is an internationally renowned designer. Why don’t I introduce you?"

It was rare for Mandy Snow to be so accommodating, but Lauren Shaw didn’t need the favor. She shook her head.

"Next, let’s welcome Chairman Shen to the stage for a speech," the emcee announced, drawing a round of applause from the crowd.

Shen Wenting appeared in a classic Chinese tunic suit. Though advanced in years, his commanding air was undiminished—no wonder he was the Shen family’s patriarch.

Seizing the moment when everyone’s attention shifted to Shen Wenting, Lauren Shaw tugged Yancy Shaw into a quiet corner. Lowering her voice, she said, "There’s something really important I need to tell you—you have to keep this confidential."

Seeing her serious expression, Yancy Shaw asked, "What is it?"

Lauren Shaw repeated what she’d overheard. Once she’d spoken, she felt a weight lift off her chest. Now that the secret was shared, it was no longer hers alone to bear; her anxiety had transferred to him.

Yancy Shaw was silent for a moment, his eyes drifting to Nathan Shaw not far away. "Don’t tell anyone else for now. Let’s keep it between us. I’ll take care of the rest."

This was about Nathan Shaw’s reputation and the Shen family’s face. What Yancy Shaw had to do now was uncover whether Shen Sylvia Shaw was actually related to the Shen family.

Perhaps it was the length of time spent in the banquet hall, but Lauren Shaw began to feel dizzy and lethargic.

"Tired?" Yancy Shaw noticed her fatigue and suggested she rest upstairs.

Taking a keycard from a server, she headed up.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the banquet hall, Shen Sylvia Shaw sat next to Eva Snow, looking pleased with herself. "Cousin, I’ve done everything you asked. Now we just have to wait for the show."

Eva Snow smiled as she watched Lauren Shaw head upstairs with the keycard. "Now, just watch my performance."

…

Roughly twenty minutes later, Yancy Shaw received a call that darkened his face. Hanging up, he made for the stairs.

Eva Snow was already waiting by the elevator. Seeing his urgency, she blocked his way. "Yancheng, what’s the rush? Where are you going?"

Yancy Shaw barely spared her a glance, saying nothing.

But Eva Snow put on a look of anticipation. "I just saw Lauren Shaw go into a room—and then a man followed her in. Do you know who he is?"

Her implication was clear: Lauren Shaw and another man, alone in a room, meant she was cheating.

But Yancy Shaw’s face remained impassive. Try as she might, Eva Snow couldn’t get the reaction she wanted—no anger, no outrage.

He stepped into the elevator. Eva Snow followed, refusing to miss the spectacle she thought was coming.

Inside, she continued, "I just don’t get what’s going through Lauren Shaw’s head. She’s married to you but still fools around? She and that man were together for three years—of course, old flames can rekindle."

"And how do you know it’s an old flame?" Yancy Shaw’s low voice was laced with a hint of anger.

The sharpness of his gaze made Eva Snow falter, but she forced a casual reply, "Because I just saw them together."

Yancy Shaw’s eyes were deep and unreadable, making Eva Snow feel uneasy.

He let out a cold laugh. "You’re really dedicated, Miss Xue, so interested in my wife’s business."

Just then, the elevator doors opened on Lauren Shaw’s floor.

Striding out, Yancy Shaw made straight for the room.

Eva Snow followed, unable to conceal a gleeful smile—her drama was about to unfold.

As Yancy Shaw rang the bell, the door opened, and Eva Snow rushed inside.

But when she saw the room, she froze.

"Eva Snow?" Lauren Shaw stared at her, instantly piecing together the situation.

When Eva Snow spotted Yvonne Sung sprawled motionless on the floor, she whirled on the unharmed Lauren Shaw. "What are you doing?"

Lauren Shaw crossed her arms, calmly observing Eva Snow.

She glanced at Yuan Ran standing by the door, who respectfully shut it.

Eva Snow recognized Yuan Ran—back in Country F, he’d given her more than a little trouble. His presence today dimmed her bluster.

Yuan Ran looked to Yancy Shaw, who nodded, then stepped outside to close the door behind him.

"You’re asking what I’m doing? I should be asking the same of you. Didn’t get the scene you wanted? Disappointed?" Lauren Shaw’s eyes were cold and sharp.

Eva Snow involuntarily stepped back, stunned.

She’d come up for a good old-fashioned catching-someone-in-the-act scandal, but things had not played out as she’d hoped.

Shen Sylvia Shaw had laced Lauren Shaw’s juice with a hallucinogen, but to avoid suspicion, she’d used a small dose—just enough for dizziness.

The room key the server had given her was also part of the plan; Yvonne Sung had been waiting inside the whole time. All Lauren Shaw had to do was walk in, and the trap would close.

In Eva Snow’s script, the two would be discovered in the throes of passion. The reality? Yvonne Sung was out cold on the floor—clearly beaten senseless.

In truth, when Lauren Shaw had taken the keycard upstairs, Yancy Shaw, not trusting her safety, had sent Yuan Ran to follow and ensure she arrived safely.

Upon opening the door, Lauren Shaw discovered Yvonne Sung lying in wait, ready to force himself on her. Luckily, Yuan Ran stepped in and knocked him out before anything could happen.

The call Yancy Shaw had just received had come from Yuan Ran.

Seeing Eva Snow now, Yancy Shaw could put together exactly who’d orchestrated all of this.

The room was now closed off. The next act—well, it was up to them to play it out.