All of Yancy Shaw’s tenderness was reserved for Lauren Shaw alone. When he spoke to Mandy Snow, his voice was cold and cutting, showing absolutely no mercy.
Mandy Snow knew she was completely isolated now. Even if she got hit, no one would come to her aid. But resentment was useless—she could only swallow her humiliation for now.
She didn’t dare go up against Yancy Shaw and could only clutch her face angrily as she stormed off. One day, she would make them pay for this humiliation!
After Mandy Snow left, Yancy Shaw caught Lauren Shaw’s hand. Seeing how red her palm was, he brought it to his lips and breathed gently on it. “If anyone ever offends you next time, just call Yuan Ran to put them in their place—no need for you to do it yourself.”
“That won’t do. For small matters like this, I can handle them myself,” Lauren Shaw replied. “Women’s fights are best settled by women anyway. I can’t rely on you for everything. What if you’re not around one day? I have to learn how to stand on my own.”
Yancy Shaw chuckled, delighted at how his little bunny was becoming more and more like him.
Honestly, Mandy Snow was asking for it today—her very first words were nothing but slander toward Lauren Shaw and the Shen family. Clearly, she didn’t realize just how dirty the Snow family’s dealings were. Given all the things they’ve done, Lauren Shaw actually felt she’d gone too easy on her today; she should’ve taught her a harsher lesson.
Yancy Shaw picked up her hand and gently kissed it. “Let’s go home.”
Lauren Shaw linked her arm with his, cuddling close to him. The gentle and reliant look she wore now was a far cry from her fierce persona when she’d slapped Mandy Snow.
—
Unbeknownst to them, February had already arrived. After a spring shower, the temperatures in Ancheng started to rise.
Lauren Shaw’s spring collection launch was now on the schedule—set for next weekend.
There had been a major shakeup at Shengmei Group: a round of firings, mostly people Mandy Snow had brought into the company. While none had really caused trouble, it was better to nip potential problems in the bud.
Bryce Shaw had invited Lauren Shaw to take up a vice president role at the company, but she politely turned him down.
She was already up to her ears working on the new collection—there was simply no time to manage anything else. Besides, she didn’t want to exhaust herself.
Every week, she still had to make time to visit the brand’s boutique. Sometimes she felt like she was spreading herself too thin.
Today, another visitor stopped by her studio; she welcomed the company.
“Sienna Shaw, long time no see! I came to visit you,” Sophia Chandler exclaimed, her smile dazzling. It had been ages, and she admitted she’d missed Lauren Shaw a lot.
Lauren Shaw greeted her with a gentle smile and invited her to sit down.
Sophia Chandler glanced around the studio, admiring the new designs. “Sienna Shaw, this gown is gorgeous.”
“If you like it, I’ll design something special for you next time.”
“Really? Then I want to start wearing only your gowns from now on! When your brand goes international, I’ll be your biggest fan.”
Mia May brought over a cup of coffee and set it on the table. “Careful, it’s hot.”
“Thank you.” Sophia Chandler flashed a grateful smile. After Mia May left, she rested her chin on one hand, lost in thought.
Lauren Shaw saw right through her. “Go on, what did you really come here for today?” She knew Sophia Chandler must have some purpose—no one came knocking at the door of the temple for no reason.
Sophia Chandler giggled sheepishly. “You’re too sharp, Sienna Shaw. Of course you’d see right through me.”
“Is it about Hugo Pierce?” Lauren Shaw didn’t pause as she continued to sew beads onto the dress, deft and focused.
Indeed, Sophia Chandler had come for news about Hugo Pierce. Word was, Lauren Shaw was friends with him; now, he had become her half-brother. Although they weren’t close, under one roof, they’d bump into each other sooner or later. Whether friend or foe, she needed to know where he stood.
“To be honest, I really admire him. Ever since he showed up at the Zhu family, that Shang Min hasn’t given me any trouble. Even the way she looks at me has changed—no more resentment in her eyes.”
The truth was, Sophia Chandler’s transfer to work out of province was Shang Min’s doing. Both Shang Min and her daughter had never liked her, especially after she’d fallen out with Zhu Yurou. That’s why she’d been stuck away from home for so long before finally getting a transfer back.
Ironically, Shang Min wouldn’t even look at her now. Whenever Hugo Pierce was nearby, Shang Min’s eyes would practically roll out of her head—Sophia Chandler found it hilarious.
Lauren Shaw could pretty much guess the rest. Zhu Yurou and her mother were not to be trifled with. Knowing that Hugo Pierce’s return threatened their position, of course they’d cause trouble.
“Hugo Pierce’s genuinely a good guy. He has a sense of right and wrong.” Lauren Shaw hadn’t known Hugo Pierce for that long, but overall, she’d always found him fair and honest.
Sophia Chandler relaxed into the sofa, crossing her legs. “That’s all that matters. I like good people.”
Life in the Zhu family had never been easy, but now, at least, she had an ally on her side. She wasn’t interested in the Zhu family assets—but she did love getting under Shang Min’s skin.
Lauren Shaw shook her head, amused by Sophia Chandler’s simple outlook.
After staying for a while, Sophia Chandler left. Lauren Shaw still had to visit the boutique to make preparations for the new collection.
She drove to the Central Ring Tower, checked in at her store, then took a stroll. As she passed a menswear shop, she spotted a tie.
She was suddenly reminded of the second time she met Yancy Shaw. That day, after a fight with Yvonne Sung, she’d been in tears and a mess—and Yancy Shaw happened to witness it. Looking back now, she wondered what she must have been thinking back then.
Time had flown by. It was funny thinking about it—who would’ve thought every time she ran into Yancy Shaw, it was all part of his plan from the start.
She smiled to herself. Every memory with him was filled with sweetness.
Yancy Shaw rarely wore suits; his wardrobe was mostly casual. During that period, though, he’d worn a suit, and the tie he used was the one she’d bought him. After some thought, she went into the shop, bought the tie, and picked out a few more styles.
The moment she stepped out of the shop, Yancy Shaw called her.
“Baby, what are you up to?” Yancy Shaw had just finished surgery. Finally he had a moment, he thought he’d call Lauren Shaw.
“I’m at the Central Ring Tower. I just picked out a few ties for you.”
She wasn’t sure whether he’d like them or not.
“If you picked them, I’ll love them all,” Yancy Shaw replied, as if he could read her mind. He didn’t wait for her to say anything else before making his feelings clear.
Lauren Shaw smiled, sweetness blooming in her chest. She was so caught up chatting with him that, turning a corner, she accidentally bumped into someone.
A whiff of men’s cologne hit her nose—unpleasantly strong—so she instinctively stepped back. “Sorry,” she said.
The scent turned her off so much that she frowned, not bothering to look up as she prepared to walk around him. But the man called after her.
“Miss Li?”
Hearing the voice, Lauren Shaw looked up in surprise—it was Mo Fan.
Mo Fan regarded her with a faint, mocking smile. Remembering that this was Shen Sylvia Shaw’s biological father only made Lauren Shaw’s distaste for him run deeper.