Claire Xu dropped the teasing and just smiled, changing the subject. "The fashion show’s today—will your Dr. Shen have time to come?"
Lauren Shaw shrugged, meaning she had no idea. "He said if he’s free, he’ll swing by."
Her phone rang. It was a call from Yancy Shaw. Lauren Shaw picked up.
"Shengsheng."
"Mhm," Lauren Shaw responded softly.
"I’m here. Sitting in the back row." Yancy Shaw’s voice was as gentle as a spring breeze, warming her heart.
"Great, I’ll come find you when it’s over." Lauren Shaw’s tone was extra tender. After hanging up, Claire Xu’s smile only grew.
"Was that a call from Dr. Shen?"
Lauren Shaw didn’t answer, but the bliss on her face said it all.
A mischievous grin curled across Claire Xu’s lips. Lauren Shaw knew exactly what that look meant—she was about to be teased.
"Dr. He didn’t come today?"
The mention of Henry Mills made Claire Xu’s smile fall. "Don’t even talk about it. We had a fight."
"You two actually fought?" Lauren Shaw was surprised. She couldn’t imagine them arguing.
"His family tried to set him up with someone on a blind date."
"And?"
"And that’s it. I broke up with him—not to hold him back. He deserves someone better."
Claire Xu’s voice was tinged with a sadness she hadn’t even realized. Lauren Shaw couldn’t help but sigh, suspecting some misunderstanding between the two.
But since Claire Xu didn’t want to talk about Henry Mills anymore, Lauren Shaw didn’t press the issue.
At 2 PM, the fashion show began.
Music filled the venue as the lights dimmed, leaving only the runway illuminated.
Models made their entrance in time with the music. The new designs Lauren Shaw had created made everyone’s eyes light up.
The unique designs were a visual feast, both refined and luxurious, heightened by the models’ presence.
Each outfit held a different vibe, showcasing Lauren Shaw’s attention to detail and creative originality.
At the finale, Lauren Shaw swept onto the runway with graceful steps, like a sprite glowing in her own light.
Her stage presence was just as striking as the models themselves.
Applause rang through the hall. Lauren Shaw bowed, then turned—her gaze met Yancy Shaw’s in the back row. Her red lips curled into a sly smile, charm radiating off her.
The spotlight followed her every step, as if she were cloaked in brilliance—confident and beautiful.
After the show, audience members couldn’t stop praising the spectacle.
Nina Shaw felt a wave of pride—after all, that was her little sister on stage. How could she not feel proud?
She turned to Xavier Quinn beside her. "What did you think of the show?"
"Not bad," Xavier Quinn said, rare for him to compliment anyone. It wasn’t just because she was Lauren Shaw’s sister—the show truly lived up to the hype. Even the insiders couldn’t stop talking about it.
He took Nina Shaw’s hand with care. "It’s crowded—walk slowly."
As the show ended, the crowd poured out. Xavier Quinn, worried she’d be jostled, gripped her hand tightly and wrapped an arm around her shoulder to shield her.
Stepping outside, Nina Shaw suddenly remembered she’d left her bag and turned back to retrieve it.
Without waiting for her reply, his tall silhouette had already turned back inside. Watching his retreating back, Nina Shaw felt a sweet, inexplicable warmth rise in her chest, her lips naturally curving into a soft smile.
A lot of people were exiting the venue now. Nina Shaw found a less crowded corner to wait for Xavier Quinn.
Suddenly, someone bumped into her hard—a stiletto heel landing squarely on her foot. Startled, Nina Shaw instinctively pushed the person away; the other woman staggered, nearly falling.
As the woman steadied herself, she glared at Nina Shaw, fury in her eyes. "What’s wrong with you? Why’d you push me?"
"You stepped on me first! Who’s got the problem here?" Nina Shaw snapped back. Getting stepped on and then yelled at—what kind of twisted logic was that?
Yana Quinn had come today to catch a bit of the show’s fame. With the press crowding the door, she was hoping to get snapped by the paparazzi, hype up her presence, and promote her new project.
Nina Shaw hadn’t exactly kept her voice down; nearby onlookers started to notice.
Yana Quinn wasn’t about to let this go. She insisted on arguing her case.
"If you say I stepped on you, could you at least say it nicely? Why shove me?"
"Why don’t you try getting stabbed in the foot by a stiletto? See how nice you’d be." Nina Shaw wasn’t the type to just swallow insults.
"Who told you to stand there blocking the way? Didn’t you see me coming? Are you blind?"
"There’s plenty of space—did you have to squeeze past me? Trying to get some attention, are you? Are you an influencer?" Nina Shaw suddenly found her face familiar. Had she seen her somewhere before?
Yana Quinn instinctively covered her face, a hint of guilt flashing across her features as Nina Shaw stepped in to get a better look.
"Why are you up in my face? Get away from me!" Yana Quinn, flustered, pushed her aside.
Before Nina Shaw could react, someone pulled her into a protective embrace. She looked up—Xavier Quinn. Tears shimmered in her eyes.
"Hubby, someone’s bullying me..." she whimpered, her voice laced with grievance. Xavier Quinn’s heart nearly melted.
"Are you hurt?" Xavier Quinn gave her a careful once-over.
Actually, Yana Quinn hadn’t pushed her very hard, but seeing Xavier Quinn fuss over her, Nina Shaw felt like playing along.
Nina Shaw pointed at Yana Quinn. "She stepped on me, then cursed at me."
Xavier Quinn turned to Yana Quinn. When she recognized him, her face went white. She stammered, "B-Brother...?"
What? Brother?
Nina Shaw’s mind went blank. What kind of live family reunion was this?
Xavier Quinn shot Yana Quinn a cold glare—but ignored her, only lowering his gaze to Nina Shaw. "What exactly did she say to you?"
Wait, what? Nina Shaw was totally lost. This woman was his sister? She’d never heard mention of such a sister before.
"She called me blind and crazy." Nina Shaw jutted her chin stubbornly. Sister or not, being in the wrong was inexcusable—she wasn’t afraid of offending anyone.
"Apologize!"
Nina Shaw stared at him in disbelief. Him, or her?
Xavier Quinn turned his icy stare on Yana Quinn. She went pale and nervous, biting her lip before mumbling, "S-sorry."
Nina Shaw raised her chin but said nothing.
Xavier Quinn, still unsettled, pulled Nina Shaw closer around the waist. "How do you want to handle this, hmm?"
If he hadn’t shown up in time, Nina Shaw might have been knocked to the floor—the thought darkened his expression further.
Yana Quinn could barely hide her panic now. If she’d known Nina Shaw and Xavier Quinn were connected, she would have steered clear.
Watching the panic in Yana Quinn’s eyes, Nina Shaw felt nothing but satisfaction.
But Xavier Quinn wasn’t about to let her off so easily. He looked down at the print on Nina Shaw’s shoes, where a stiletto had left a mark, and said in a low voice, "Clean her shoes."