Lu Yuanbo withdrew his gaze, turning to Lauren Shaw with an unchanging smile. "Long time no see, Lauren Shaw."

Lauren Shaw returned his smile with a simple nod, just to be polite.

Claire Xu looked away, clearly uninterested in him.

"Claire Xu, don’t you have anything you want to say to me?" Lu Yuanbo gave Claire Xu a meaningful look.

"What could I possibly have to say to you?" Claire Xu rolled her eyes so hard she practically looked at the ceiling.

"Is that so? Well, I have quite a bit I want to say to you."

There was a hint of flirtation in his words.

Lauren Shaw knew Claire Xu didn’t like him, and his behavior was nothing if not unsettling.

"If you have something to say, just keep it to yourself. I’m not interested," Claire Xu replied coldly, not bothering to be polite.

Lu Yuanbo didn’t get upset. Instead, he shifted his attention back to Lauren Shaw. "It’s been years, but you’re still as beautiful as ever, Lauren Shaw."

After all these years, his mouth had only gotten slicker.

"You’re looking dashing yourself, President Lu." Lauren Shaw offered a perfunctory compliment, matching her words to the person—emotional intelligence at its finest.

"No need to be so formal. We were all schoolmates once. I prefer when you call me Lu Yuanbo."

"You’re flattering me, President Lu. You’re a successful man now—it’s only proper I address you that way."

Lauren Shaw maintained a polite distance. She hardly knew him, only that he once relentlessly pursued Claire Xu. Claire Xu was finally moved and shared her secret with him—only for everyone at school to treat it as a laughingstock. From that incident on, Lauren Shaw’s impression of him shifted for good.

Perhaps sensing Lauren Shaw’s aloofness, he stood for another moment before saying, "Let’s have dinner together sometime, my treat."

Lauren Shaw gently declined, "You’re a busy man, President Lu. No need to bother—wouldn’t want to waste your valuable time."

Lu Yuanbo’s expression darkened slightly, but he kept up appearances, nodding before turning to mingle with others.

Claire Xu gave Lauren Shaw’s shoulder a light pat and gestured across the room. "Isn’t that the woman who trended online with Dr. Shen last time? What’s she doing here?"

Following her gaze, Lauren Shaw spotted Qin Jia in a royal blue gown that was stunning and unmistakably attention-grabbing.

Qin Jia stood next to Bryce Shaw. Since their companies were collaborating, it was no surprise to see her at the banquet tonight.

Bryce Shaw noticed Lauren Shaw and gave her a warm smile.

The moment Qin Jia, who had been speaking with him, saw Lauren Shaw, her smile turned pointed, her eyes full of challenge.

Suddenly, as if recalling something, she deliberately changed the subject. "Strange. I haven’t seen Third Young Master Shen tonight..."

Bryce Shaw instantly understood her implication.

She explained with a practiced smile, "Don’t get me wrong, President Shen. I was just curious. I’ve met Third Young Master before and thought he seemed like a nice guy."

Bryce Shaw gave her a look filled with meaning. "Yancheng is busy tonight—he couldn’t make it."

Disappointment showed on Qin Jia’s face. She’d dressed to impress tonight, all in hopes of seeing Yancy Shaw, only to learn he wouldn’t show up. Naturally, she was frustrated.

Bryce Shaw, seeing through her intentions, glanced thoughtfully at Lauren Shaw, who, adjusting her grip on her dress, made her way over.

"Second Brother."

Bryce Shaw arched an eyebrow—he could already sense drama brewing.

Lauren Shaw approached Qin Jia, her expression as calm and cool as ever. "Miss Qin, you’re here too."

Qin Jia’s voice was deliberately theatrical. "Miss Li, your fashion show tonight was such a highlight—everyone in the industry can’t stop singing your praises." Although it sounded like a compliment, there was an unmistakable undertone of mockery.

"You flatter me, Miss Qin."

Though both women looked polite on the surface, an undercurrent of rivalry simmered between them.

Sensing the tension, Bryce Shaw quickly found an excuse to slip away. He pulled out his phone to call Yancy Shaw.

At that moment, Yancy Shaw had just finished a surgery and was washing his hands. As his phone rang on the counter, he dried his hands and picked it up.

Bryce Shaw’s playful voice came through. "Tonight’s your wife’s thank-you banquet. If you don’t show up, don’t blame me if Shengsheng gets mad at you."

"I just finished a surgery," Yancy Shaw replied, glancing at the time. It was eight; the banquet had just begun. There was still time.

"Don’t say I didn’t warn you—if you don’t come tonight, get ready to kneel on a keyboard." With that, Bryce Shaw hung up.

Yancy Shaw quickly changed out of his scrubs, left instructions with the nurses, and hurried to the banquet venue.

Back at the banquet, Qin Jia shot Lauren Shaw a mocking look. "Tonight is your thank-you banquet, and yet Third Young Master Shen hasn’t shown up. Looks like you’re not that important to him after all."

Lauren Shaw answered coolly, "My husband has his responsibilities. Of course I support his work. But Miss Qin, you seem unusually interested in my husband—could it be that..." She trailed off, her voice lingering.

Claire Xu covered her mouth in mock surprise and chimed in, "Shengsheng, why are there always people going after your Dr. Shen? Some folks really have no shame, always coveting someone else’s husband."

Her voice was just loud enough for those nearby to hear. Qin Jia’s expression darkened.

"Who’s coveting someone else’s husband? You’d better watch your mouth."

"If you feel guilty, then clearly I’m talking about you. I didn’t mention any names." Claire Xu eyed her with open contempt.

Such a look was a clear insult to Qin Jia.

Lauren Shaw stared at her coldly. "I recall we were very clear about boundaries last time, Miss Qin. If you can’t take a hint, don’t blame me for being blunt."

If she insisted on making a scene, Lauren Shaw could easily oblige.

Qin Jia, instead of getting angry, just laughed. "Are you warning me, Miss Li?"

"You can figure that out yourself."

Qin Jia’s smile grew more brazen as she leaned in, her voice playful. "Seems like you’re not that confident. Are you afraid I’ll steal him from you?"

Lauren Shaw clenched her hand at her side, her composure unbroken. "Do you really think you have what it takes?"

If she could’ve taken him, she would have by now. Doesn’t she know her own limits?

Lauren Shaw would’ve loved to toss her wine in Qin Jia’s face—to let her get a good, hard look at herself. But tonight was her banquet; she wouldn’t stoop to that level.

"So, is it that you’re too confident, Miss Li, or do you just think I’m not attractive enough?"

"Neither. I just trust my husband. His taste is even better than I imagined." With that, Lauren Shaw lifted her glass, drank the rest in one elegant motion, and walked past Qin Jia without a backward glance.

Claire Xu followed, curiosity piqued. "What did she say to you?" She hadn’t caught their conversation, but the tension had been palpable.