The tension between the two women was palpable, sparks flying with every word. The smile in Lauren Shaw’s eyes had turned icy cold.
“If they can get divorced, it means their feelings weren’t that deep. You can always wait, but as long as they’re still married, Miss Qin, I suggest you don’t cross the line. Everyone has a sense of propriety and decency. From a moral standpoint, you’d do well to set your sights elsewhere.”
Qin Jia didn't get angry. Instead, she smiled. “I heard you and your husband had a flash marriage, Miss Li. As far as I know, you two tied the knot without any real foundation of love—a spur-of-the-moment thing. So, who’s more in love, you or your husband?”
Her tone was flippant, making it hard not to bristle.
Lauren Shaw’s red lips curled into a cold smirk, her voice growing frostier. “Miss Qin, you seem awfully interested in my marriage—is it because you think my husband is like other men, flitting from woman to woman?”
She didn’t wait for Qin Jia to respond. “If my husband were that kind of man, he wouldn’t have rushed to clear the air between you two back in Hong Kong. Or have you forgotten? He wouldn’t even shake your hand. My husband is a stickler for cleanliness. He’s ruthless with those he dislikes. I’m sure you know exactly what I mean—after all, you haven’t just embarrassed yourself in front of him once.”
If she had to make things clear, so be it. If the words hurt, that was no skin off her nose.
Qin Jia’s expression shifted immediately. She wanted to retort, but the words just wouldn’t come.
Lauren Shaw pressed on. “Take my advice, Miss Qin. It’s fine to like someone, but keep those feelings to yourself. People just don’t accept this kind of thing. Of course, if you want to become the object of public scorn, then forget I said anything. Your Qin family is a household name. I’d think you care about appearances. If word gets out about your little obsession, people will laugh behind your back.”
She’d already said this much—there was no point leaving Qin Jia any dignity.
A woman’s jealousy is a terrifying thing. Qin Jia knew full well Yancy Shaw only had eyes for Lauren Shaw, but she just couldn’t give up. After all, Yancy Shaw was the man she’d wanted at first sight.
But Lauren Shaw wasn’t wrong either; if this got out, she’d be a public laughingstock.
Lauren Shaw had no patience to keep arguing. She picked up her bag and stood up gracefully. “This coffee’s on me. Think over what I said, Miss Qin. If you insist on not letting go, I can promise you won’t like how it ends.”
With that, she strode out of the café.
Qin Jia watched her swaying, elegant figure with a twisted smile on her lips. “Is that so? Well, I’m definitely going to try.”
—
Lauren Shaw had barely stepped outside when Yancy Shaw’s call came through.
He immediately picked up on the sulkiness in her voice. “Baby, what’s wrong? Did someone upset you?”
She knew Yancy Shaw would never hurt her, but it still irked her that Qin Jia had been so blatant about her intentions. She trusted in Yancy Shaw’s love, but she just couldn't swallow her frustration. She wasn’t magnanimous enough to simply accept some other woman pining after her husband.
“No one upset me.” Lauren Shaw answered, though she clearly felt otherwise.
Yancy Shaw wasn’t feeling too great himself.
Just now, he’d bumped into Mo Qinglin in a wheelchair at the hospital.
He hadn’t planned to stop, but Mo Qinglin called out to him with a courteous smile. “Dr. Shen, please give my regards to Mrs. Shen. I never had the chance to thank her properly for last time. I’d love to treat her to a meal if she’s free.”
What incident did his wife need to be thanked for? Why didn’t he know about it?
But Yancy Shaw was nothing if not jealous—he refused right away.
“No need. My wife doesn’t eat with people she doesn’t know, especially not men.”
Ignoring how awkward Mo Qinglin looked, Yancy Shaw just walked away.
Both of them had had enough unpleasant run-ins for one day.
“Where are you? I’ll come pick you up after work,” Yancy Shaw coaxed gently.
Lauren Shaw exhaled quietly. “Do you know who I just had coffee with?”
He’d messaged her earlier, asking what she was up to. She’d said she was at a café, but hadn’t mentioned who with.
“Who?” Yancy Shaw asked.
“Qin Jia. The woman who likes you.”
She knew Qin Jia’s visit today was all about Yancy Shaw, though the woman probably had no idea he’d already stopped coming into the office.
“Qin Jia?” Yancy Shaw searched his memory. After a moment, he recalled her. “What did she say?”
On the other end of the line, Lauren Shaw’s annoyance was obvious as she replied with biting sarcasm, “She says she likes you. Says she still likes you even though you’re married. Even said people get divorced, so it’s not over.”
The more she talked, the more she regretted not throwing her coffee in Qin Jia’s face—maybe that would’ve knocked some sense into her.
Turns out his innocent little wife was jealous. The gloom in Yancy Shaw’s heart melted instantly, replaced with an inexplicable joy.
“Why didn’t you just throw your coffee in her face and let her have a long, hard look at herself?” he mused, echoing her thoughts exactly.
Lauren Shaw turned back to glance at the café. Qin Jia was still inside, on the phone with someone. Hearing Yancy Shaw’s words, Lauren Shaw let out a low laugh. “Want me to go back in and give her a faceful of coffee?”
“Sure. As long as it makes you happy.”
“But her company does business with ours. I’m just worried…”
“Don’t worry about it. Just do what feels right to you. I’ll clean up the mess.”
Lauren Shaw felt much better after that—not that she really meant to go throw the coffee. She was just jealous. But just hearing Yancy Shaw’s voice soothed her right away.
Back in her car, she glanced absently at the café. Now, a man was sitting where she’d been before—Mo Qinglin. She wondered what he and Qin Jia were discussing. It all felt a little strange, but she didn’t stay to find out. She started her car and drove away.
—
That evening, Lauren Shaw was still at her studio when Yancy Shaw arrived. She was bent over her desk, working on a design draft. She felt a warm breath at her ear and looked up, meeting his deep, dark gaze.
She shrank back a little, pulling her eyes away to keep sketching.
Yancy Shaw wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. “Still mad?”
Lauren Shaw squirmed, trying to shake off his hands, her tone prickly. “No.”