Hugo Pierce wearily pressed his fingers to his brow and glanced at He Shuang. In that fleeting look, there was a tenderness only the perceptive would notice, but to any bystander, the truth was plain as day.
When it comes to feelings, it's often those involved who can't see what's right in front of them, while the outsiders see everything clearly.
"I've been busy lately, learning how to manage the company." Though he was an illegitimate son, he could never escape the Zhu family's bloodline. Zhu Yurou was no pushover; she was always scheming against him behind his back.
Lauren Shaw knew his position in the Zhu family was like walking on thin ice. As an outsider, it wasn't her place to pry. So, after catching up and gossiping a bit, she sent Hugo Pierce and He Shuang on their way home.
Yancy Shaw called to say he'd arrive at the bar in five minutes.
Claire Xu had had a bit too much to drink tonight, and now her gaze was hazy with intoxication. She leaned on Lauren Shaw's shoulder, pouting, "Babe, I want to sleep with you tonight. I want to cuddle and snuggle."
Lauren Shaw was a little tipsy herself, her cheeks flushed as she chuckled, "You want to snuggle with me? I'm afraid someone might not agree to that."
Claire Xu muttered darkly, "Traitor! Forsaking your friends for a man!"
Lauren Shaw pursed her lips, smiling.
Suddenly, Claire Xu grinned mischievously. "You've been married for a while now. Not planning to have a baby?"
With their looks, any child they'd have would probably be off-the-charts beautiful.
That question left Lauren Shaw a bit troubled—she wanted one, too, but Yancy Shaw wasn't willing.
The conversation soon wandered off-topic. As Lauren Shaw saw Yancy Shaw was about to arrive, she and Claire Xu went outside.
They'd barely stepped out when a group of thugs blocked their way.
"Brother Hong, are these the ones?" The leader pointed at them, his eyes glued to the two women with greedy intent.
The man called "Brother Hong" came forward, looking them over with thinly veiled disdain.
Lauren Shaw recognized him at once. Last time at the bar, this "Brother Hong" had gotten a thorough beating from Henry Mills and had only just gotten out of police custody—his connections must really run deep.
Brother Hong regarded them with a grotesque sneer. "Got you now, girls. Last time, you had me locked up for days."
He still hadn't settled the score for that earlier beating, and now, as if on cue, they'd landed right in his hands.
Lauren Shaw gripped Claire Xu's hand tightly; both their palms were slick with cold sweat.
They wanted to back away, but the group had already surrounded them. There was no escape.
Yancy Shaw should arrive any minute—they just needed to stall for time.
"What do you want? There are cameras here," Lauren Shaw said, forcing herself to appear calm.
The men burst out in harsh, mocking laughter.
"Cameras? You think someone like me is scared of a little surveillance?" Brother Hong raked his eyes slowly over them, nodding in crude approval. "If you two make me happy tonight, maybe I'll let you go. Otherwise..." He let the threat hang, grinning. "My guys aren't as 'gentle' as I am."
Claire Xu couldn't take it anymore. She spat, "As if! Who do you think you are, trying to threaten us? You think I'll just let you mess with me?"
Brother Hong snickered. "Feisty little thing. I like that." As he reached for Claire Xu, Lauren Shaw moved swiftly, shielding her friend behind her.
Lauren Shaw's gaze darkened, boring into the group.
"Get these two in the van. Got work to do, so let's find somewhere private," one of the men said, their laughter especially sickening in that moment.
"Who dares touch us? Try it," Lauren Shaw's voice rang out, icy cold, her gaze sharp as blades.
The thugs all paused, caught off-guard.
Brother Hong barked at his crew, "Look at you all, scared by one woman. Pathetic!" Then, he lunged for Lauren Shaw's arm, but before he could touch her, a beer bottle came whizzing through the air, shattering squarely on his head.
"Who the hell hit me!" Brother Hong cursed, clutching his head as he looked wildly toward where the bottle had come from.
A tall, imposing man strode into view, and Lauren Shaw felt a weight lift from her chest.
Yuan Ran radiated menace. As Yancy Shaw's bodyguard—assigned to protect her when Yancy Shaw couldn't be there—he was nobody to mess with.
Blood trickled from the back of Brother Hong's head. He glared at Yuan Ran, livid.
"You're itching to be a hero? Let's see if you've got what it takes!" With that, his men swarmed forward.
Yuan Ran faced them calmly. As a professional bodyguard, his moves were swift, ruthless, and efficient.
Seeing things turn ugly, Brother Hong tried to grab Lauren Shaw, intending to use her as a hostage.
Lauren Shaw struck him with a punch—she might only know some rudimentary moves, good enough for a scuffle with someone like Eva Snow, but against a brute like Brother Hong, her flowery punches had little real effect.
"You dare hit me?" Fury twisted Brother Hong's burly features as he lunged, his greasy hands reaching toward Lauren Shaw again. But before he could lay a finger on her, someone grabbed his arm and twisted it savagely.
A sickening pop echoed—the sound of a joint dislocating.
Brother Hong's scream tore through the night as his face contorted in agony.
In the next instant, a heavy kick sent him sprawling to the ground.
Lauren Shaw looked up, delight sparking in her eyes. "Yancy Shaw!"
Yancy Shaw stood over the thugs, his expression as cold as frost. Even without a word, his presence alone was enough to make them shiver—they'd picked the wrong target tonight.
"Yuan Ran, break their hands." His voice was glacial, so fierce it seemed to have come straight from hell itself.
The thugs, already battered and bruised, dropped to their knees, pleading, "Boss, please, we were wrong! From now on, if we see this lady—er, grandma, we'll steer clear, promise!"
A moment ago, these men had acted all tough—now they were groveling. Lauren Shaw almost laughed. Bullies like these only picked on the weak. Tonight, they’d finally run into someone they couldn’t handle.
Claire Xu put her hands on her waist, striking a fierce pose. "Begging now won’t help. You cowards pick on the weak. If you don’t learn your lesson tonight, you’ll just keep causing trouble!"
The lot of them wailed, completely oblivious as Brother Hong crawled to the car, started it, and sped away.
Yancy Shaw shot Yuan Ran a look. Yuan Ran understood and gave chase in his own car.
Seeing this, the remaining thugs started considering an escape as well.
Yancy Shaw’s voice was cool and unhurried. "Try to run, and I’ll break your legs."
No one doubted that he meant it, but some fool still tried his luck.
With lightning speed, Yancy Shaw darted forward and sent a flying kick that flattened the man instantly.
After that, nobody dared make another move—clearly, this man was even more formidable than the last.