Mo Qinglin, who had been stopped by Mo Fan, merely gave a wry smile and left wordlessly, wheeling himself away.

Watching his retreating figure, Mandy Snow stepped into the room. As soon as she closed the door, she spoke with barely contained urgency. "You said you’d help me before—so why haven’t you transferred the money yet?"

Mo Fan moved unhurriedly to the liquor cabinet and poured her a glass of red wine. "What’s the rush? Tell me what’s going on, slowly."

Mandy Snow looked about ready to throw the wine in his face.

"You’re the one enjoying yourself here—I’m at my wit’s end! Wanrui’s in a worse position every day, and all those old foxes at the company are circling my shares like vultures, pressing me to step down."

She was practically losing her mind. Mo Fan had promised to help her, but he hadn’t done a thing.

"I said I’d help you, so I will." Mo Fan walked over and pulled her into his arms.

The thought of how many women those arms had held flashed in Mandy Snow’s eyes as a trace of disgust. She shoved him away.

"Keep your hands to yourself."

Mo Fan chuckled. "What’s the matter? Last time you certainly didn’t mind. Feeling distant now?"

She shot him a glare and strode to the floor-to-ceiling windows. Her sharp eyes caught the pearl earring on the floor. She sneered. "Some things never change. You’re still a dog who can’t stop eating shit."

Mo Fan also noticed the earring but shrugged it off. "Isn’t it normal for men to fool around? If you hadn’t fought with me back then and married me like you should, you and SiyI wouldn’t have ended up spending eighteen years in the Shen family—just to be tossed aside like yesterday’s news."

"That was my choice. I can’t tolerate even a grain of sand in my eye—you know that." Proud and headstrong as she was, she could never tolerate being toyed with.

The room’s doorbell rang, and Mandy Snow let out a cold laugh. "Someone else? Late at night? You really do keep yourself busy, don’t you?"

Mo Fan defended himself: "No woman’s ever stayed the night here. Except you." Fool around he might, but he never got attached, and when it was time to cut things off, he didn’t hesitate.

The bell kept ringing. He frowned. He hadn’t invited anyone over tonight—who could it be?

He went to open the door.

Only when it swung open did he realize the person standing outside was Shen SiyI.

Shen SiyI stared at him, wide-eyed. Mo Fan was just as shocked. "SiyI?"

Hearing voices, Mandy Snow hurried over. "SiyI, what are you doing here?"

Anger burned on Shen SiyI’s face. "Mom, so your excuse for being busy was sneaking off to a hotel to see a man?"

Mandy Snow froze, utterly at a loss for words.

She didn’t even know how to begin telling her daughter that Mo Fan was actually her biological father.

"SiyI, don’t be ridiculous."

"Ridiculous? Then tell me what you’re doing here! And who is he?" Shen SiyI jabbed her finger at Mo Fan—her attitude making things even more uncomfortable.

Raised spoiled and willful, Shen SiyI always let her feelings show. She found Mo Fan loathsome from the very first glance.

"Want to know who I am?" Mo Fan’s voice carried a teasing edge, making Mandy Snow nervous—she was scared SiyI couldn’t handle the truth about what he’d say next.

"Mo Fan, don’t you dare!" she snapped.

But Mo Fan just smiled slyly and didn’t listen. "You’ve always wanted to know who your real father is, haven’t you? I’m your father."

The words dropped like a bomb. Shen SiyI’s expression changed completely.

"No… Impossible… Absolutely not—you’re lying! Both of you are lying to me!" she screamed, her voice almost hysterical.

"I know it’s hard to accept right now, but it doesn’t change the fact that I am your father." Mo Fan’s tone was calm but commanding.

"You’re both lying!" Tears brimmed in Shen SiyI’s eyes as she turned and dashed toward the elevator.

Mandy Snow hurried after her, but Mo Fan grabbed her arm and kept her in place.

"She was always going to learn the truth eventually. She’s an adult; she needs to be able to handle these things."

Furious, Mandy Snow slapped him, eyes blazing with hatred. Through gritted teeth, she said, "Did I say you could tell her? She’s my daughter—if anything happens to her, I’ll never forgive you!"

With that, she stormed out of the room, running in the direction SiyI had gone.

Mo Fan rubbed his stinging cheek, thinking to himself—this woman certainly packed a punch.

——

The weather was turning warmer as the rainy spring season settled in, a constant drizzle falling outside.

After lunch, Claire Xu arrived at the studio with a clouded face.

Lauren Shaw brewed a cup of coffee and set it before her, asking gently, “What’s wrong? Did you and Henry Mills fight again?”

Claire Xu shook her head, listlessly. "Today’s Henry Mills’s grandpa’s birthday. Henry Mills wants me to go with him to celebrate at his family’s house."

"That’s good news, right? Why do you look so troubled?"

If Henry Mills wanted her to join the He family for such an important event, it meant he wanted to introduce her to his elders.

"I’m just not ready yet."

Lauren Shaw broke into a smile. "But aren’t you supposed to be fearless? It’s only a birthday banquet—what are you so scared of?"

Claire Xu, usually bold and meticulous, couldn’t understand why she got cold feet in front of Henry Mills.

Actually, it wasn’t fear. She just knew Old Master He didn’t like her. If she went, she was afraid she’d upset him to the point of illness. But if she refused, Henry Mills would be disappointed. She was caught in a dilemma.

After struggling with herself for a while, she made up her mind.

"Fine, I’ll go. If Henry Mills’s not afraid, what do I have to be scared of?"

That was the Claire Xu Lauren Shaw knew.

Speaking of the He family’s banquet, the Shen family would likely attend too. Just as she thought of this, Yancy Shaw’s call came through.

"Shengsheng, Old Master He’s birthday banquet is tonight. Can you come with me?"

Lauren Shaw glanced at Claire Xu, who grinned and nodded, signaling her to agree.

"Sure. Stop by the studio when you’re done, and pick me up."

"All right, I’ll see you there."

"Mm."

After Lauren Shaw ended the call, Claire Xu asked, "Your Dr. Shen is going to the He’s too tonight?"

"The Shen and He families get along well, and Old Master He’s birthday is a big deal—of course Yancheng will be there. You’ve got nothing to worry about tonight—I’ll be right beside you."

Claire Xu immediately perked up. "Shengsheng, I need to pick out a dress!"

——

As dusk fell, Yancy Shaw picked up Lauren Shaw and Claire Xu, heading to the He’s residence together.

Henry Mills, as Old Master He’s only grandson, was busy welcoming guests at home—so he’d specifically asked Yancy Shaw to give Claire Xu a ride.

The car pulled up outside the He family home. As Lauren Shaw and Claire Xu got out, the first people they saw were members of the Xu family.

May Lee and Hannah Xu had both come. At the sight of Claire Xu, their mother-daughter smiles froze awkwardly.