After leaving the Shen family estate, Lauren Shaw sat in the car, reflecting on everything that had happened today. She couldn’t help letting out a silent sigh.

It was hard to tell if it was relief, or resignation. "I never imagined my eldest brother would let go so easily."

Yancy Shaw was focused on the road, his eyes fixed ahead. "What do you mean?"

"At first, I was worried he wouldn’t be able to handle it. After all, he's been with Mandy Snow for over ten years. Suddenly finding out the child isn't his—any man would be devastated, especially as my brother is so loyal and sentimental."

Nathan Shaw always appeared indifferent, with no care for status or competition, but in reality, he had a sincere heart.

She couldn’t help thinking: if he had married anyone but Mandy Snow, he probably would be living a blissful life now.

"Eldest brother and Mandy Snow were never meant to be. On the surface these past years, they seemed like a respectful, polite couple, but behind closed doors, she was plotting how to bring down the Shen family."

Mandy Snow thought she was wily, but Yancy Shaw had seen through her from the start—and Nathan Shaw was no fool, either.

Lauren Shaw asked, "If I hadn’t overheard that conversation, would you guys have never figured out that Shen Siyi wasn’t really eldest brother’s child?"

"We'd find out sooner or later. The truth always comes out."

The Snow family’s ambitions were growing—now they're trying to pull in the Mo family in East China. The Mo family, like the Xues, had shady dealings in the past, but they've gone legit and now control serious influence in the region.

If the Xues managed to win over the Mo family, then Mandy Snow and Mo Fan would inevitably get involved. With Mo Fan now knowing Shen Siyi is his daughter, who knows what he might do?

It was better to uncover the truth themselves than have someone else bring it to light.

“Is the Mo family complicated?” Lauren Shaw suddenly thought of Mo Qinglin and Mo Fan. Both seemed cultured and polite, but there was something about them that felt… dangerous. Especially that Mo Qinglin.

She’d only met him a handful of times and couldn't even call it an acquaintance, but he always acted far too familiar with her. It made her uneasy.

"Yeah. Shengsheng, remember what I said: stay away from them." This wasn’t the first time Yancy Shaw had warned her.

She was always one to listen; she nodded, "Alright, I’ll keep my distance from them from now on."

Yancy Shaw let out a small laugh. "You don’t have to avoid them entirely. The Shen family is just as powerful as the Mo family. As long as I’m here, no one will lay a finger on you."

…

Later that afternoon, rain drizzled against the windows, soft and persistent.

Lauren Shaw settled into her studio, already immersed in preparations for next season’s fashion week.

Yancy Shaw had gone to the company for the day. Bryce Shaw was still recovering from his illness and couldn’t overwork, so company affairs were now mainly in Yancy Shaw’s hands.

Her phone vibrated on the table. It was Claire Xu calling, her tone bubbling as soon as Lauren Shaw answered. "Go check out the trending news, quick! The Snow family just announced Eva Snow and Yvonne Sung’s wedding!"

Originally, Eva Snow and Mo Qinglin’s wedding was supposed to be in just a few days. But with that whole fiasco at the hotel, now everyone knew the truth. For a man, gossip like this was just a bump in the road—but for Eva Snow, it was a disaster.

The night before her wedding, she’d slept with another man—and got caught by her own fiancé. The whole thing was like something out of an over-the-top drama.

Suddenly, plenty of people started sympathizing with Mo Qinglin. After all, with his mobility issues, maybe he couldn’t fulfill a husband’s duties—so perhaps that’s why Eva Snow cheated before the wedding.

These rumors sparked all sorts of chatter—some people got it, others were skeptical.

After scrolling through the comments, Claire Xu called back, curiosity piqued. "So what do you think—is Yvonne Sung just marrying up for money now? Has he finally become a ‘live-in son-in-law’?"

Lauren Shaw couldn’t help but chuckle. Live-in son-in-law—that was exactly the kind of word Claire Xu would come up with.

"Isn’t that a bit too generous? The Sung family’s bankrupt now. I’d love to know what his parents think about him moving in with his wife’s family like this."

"Another thing I can't figure out—how did Eva Snow and Yvonne Sung even end up together? I'd more easily believe Yvonne Sung was with Yana Quinn. So what does Eva Snow even see in him?" Claire Xu mulled it over, absentmindedly rubbing her chin. "It's a real mystery."

"What’s there to investigate?" Lauren Shaw replied, as if the topic were dull and distant. The name Yvonne Sung meant nothing to her now, as if she had never been interested in him at all.

Claire Xu hesitated, "Yvonne Sung was always so infatuated, right? Couldn’t get over Yana Quinn, and then… you…"

Realizing she was close to crossing a line, Claire Xu quickly corrected herself, "Oh! There I go running my mouth again. So thoughtless of me."

But Lauren Shaw just shrugged it off. "No big deal. Say whatever you want. With me, you don’t need to hold back or hide things."

She knew Claire Xu was forthright and harmless, and she never took it personally.

"I’m just curious how Yvonne Sung puts up with Eva Snow’s nasty temper. I’ve seen how fierce she can be. But then again, maybe now Yvonne Sung will get a taste of his own medicine. I’m more than happy to see someone finally straighten him out!"

Lauren Shaw neither agreed nor disagreed. Maybe, in a way, this was its own kind of poetic justice. Truthfully, she found it a little satisfying.

"Got any plans tonight? Want to go out for a drink?" This kind of juicy news definitely called for a celebration. But Claire Xu emphasized, "Just the two of us! No tagging in the husbands, okay? I just want some real girl talk."

What do best friends gossip about? Men, obviously. No way did she want Mr. Shen catching wind of their chat.

Lauren Shaw instantly understood. After hanging up, she sent Yancy Shaw a message.

[Hubby, Claire Xu invited me out for dinner tonight.]

She had always made it a habit to let him know her whereabouts.

Yancy Shaw replied quickly.

[Can’t I come with you?] —with a pitiful little cartoon emoji.

When did he get so clingy? She stifled another laugh. [Claire Xu probably has girl stuff she wants to talk about. If you’re there, she won’t open up.]

Yancy Shaw: [I’m only teasing. Just give me a call after dinner so I can come pick you up.]

[Alright!]

…

That evening, Claire Xu took Lauren Shaw to a bar.

Claire Xu kept a low profile, but she was clearly here for the drinks. That’s the only reason she’d invite Lauren Shaw out to a bar.

Seeing Claire Xu hugging a bottle, Lauren Shaw grabbed it away and switched topics. “So, how are things going with Henry Mills?”

Claire Xu hesitated, "Honestly, I’m not really sure myself."

Lauren Shaw cocked an eyebrow, smirking. "You’re hiding something! Now you’re not even upfront with me?"

"I’m not!" Claire Xu ducked her head, a blush rising on her cheeks, her voice nearly a whisper—but Lauren Shaw heard every word.

"We kissed. And… and some touching…"

"Ooh," Lauren Shaw grinned, clearly enjoying the drama. "And then?"

Claire Xu looked baffled, "Well, when it came to the final step, he stopped. So, Shengsheng, do you think he’s… you know… not able to?"

Er… That was a question she really couldn’t answer. Whether he was up to it or not, only Claire Xu could say for sure—not her.