A stepmother is still a mother. How could she speak about her own child like that in front of outsiders?
After hearing Mrs. He’s words, May Lee’s face turned pale. She was shocked that Mrs. He genuinely seemed to like Claire Xu so much. She just couldn’t understand what spell that little brat Claire Xu had cast on the He family—they were completely enthralled by her.
Only after Mrs. He left did Hannah Xu finally come back to her senses.
“Mom, what did she mean just now? Is Claire Xu really going to marry into the He family?”
May Lee didn’t respond. Her hands gripped tightly together—how could she possibly be willing to watch Claire Xu overshadow both herself and her daughter?
At that moment, Lauren Shaw also spotted May Lee and Hannah Xu. She didn’t know exactly what Mrs. He had said, but judging by their gloomy faces, it couldn’t be good.
Still, Lauren Shaw had a pretty good guess—whatever had flustered the mother and daughter probably had something to do with Claire Xu.
“Sienna Shaw!”
Sophia Chandler rushed over wearing a light blue dress, barely sparing Zhu Yurou a glance on the way. They were all Zhu family members, but when out and about, she didn't want to keep up a façade of sisterly affection. Let things be as they are.
Seeing her, Lauren Shaw’s eyes glimmered with a gentle smile. “Siyao, slow down, or you’ll trip.”
Sophia Chandler stopped beside her, glancing around as if searching for someone, then turned her gaze back to Lauren Shaw.
“Looking for someone?” Lauren Shaw couldn’t help but wonder if she was seeking out her crush.
Sophia Chandler leaned in and whispered mysteriously, “Guess who I ran into at the door?”
Lauren Shaw shook her head, puzzled. “Who?”
She whispered softly in Lauren Shaw’s ear, “I saw my dad… and, guess what, he brought a woman with him.”
Lauren Shaw’s eyelid couldn’t help but twitch. Zhu Xun actually dared to bring a woman here, of all places?
As soon as the words left her mouth, Zhu Xun entered the hall. Sophia Chandler spotted him immediately. “Look, that’s the woman my dad brought. I bet if Shang Min sees her later, she’ll blow a gasket.”
Just imagining Shang Min in a fit of rage left her feeling delightfully smug.
Lauren Shaw couldn’t help but twitch her lips at the sight of this cheerful little rascal. Because the woman following Zhu Xun inside was none other than Xiao Pei.
Seeing Zhu Xun enter with a woman, Zhu Yurou’s face practically turned green. She strode over quickly, voice harsh. “Dad, why did you have to bring her? Don’t you know what occasion this is?”
Xiao Pei clung to Zhu Xun’s arm, beaming, and before Zhu Xun could speak, she shot back, dripping with sarcasm, “Why does the occasion matter? Attending a gathering like this with your father—does that lower his status somehow?”
Zhu Yurou couldn’t stand this kind of provocation and wanted nothing more than to teach Xiao Pei a lesson.
“And who are you, anyway? You think you belong here?” A woman trying to take her mother’s place—how laughable.
She couldn’t make sense of her father’s thinking. Her mother was still around, and yet he had the nerve to bring this woman here—what was he playing at?
“Enough, enough. Whoever I bring is my business. Worry about yourself, stay out of mine.”
Zhu Xun cut her off impatiently.
Xiao Pei raised her brows, giving her a smug look before heading off with Zhu Xun.
Naturally, their appearance made them the topic of the hour among the other party guests.
“President Zhu is really something, huh? He even brings his mistress along to an event like this.”
“If it were me, I’d rip her face off! How’s Mrs. Zhu supposed to keep her dignity?”
“Just wait for it, I bet something dramatic will happen soon.”
Whispers filled the air as Shang Min’s face went from pale to green, her body trembling with rage.
“Look at Shang Min—she looks like she just swallowed a fly. Hilarious!” Sophia Chandler couldn’t help laughing. She was in a great mood, utterly unfazed by the stares from everyone else, as if Zhu Xun wasn’t even her father.
“You really are your father’s daughter. You can still laugh at a time like this?” Ian Lawrence shot her a look—anyone else would’ve been too embarrassed to stay seated. But not Sophia Chandler, she seemed genuinely amused.
“Should I cry instead? Not the first time this has happened. That’s just the way he is. What’s the point of getting angry? If I were Shang Min, I’d have divorced him long ago and saved myself the trouble.”
What’s the point clinging to the title of Mrs. Zhu? People show her respect to her face, but laugh at her behind her back, turning her into a jealous shrew. It was exhausting just to watch.
Shang Min could no longer keep her forced smile in place and hurried off to the restroom. Seeing this, Zhu Yurou went after her.
Xiao Pei looked as proud as a peacock, ignoring all the contemptuous gazes around her as she made her way toward Lauren Shaw.
Lauren Shaw fixed her with a cold, expressionless stare.
“See? I’m in the limelight now, even more than Zhu Xun’s wife,” Xiao Pei declared, convinced her status had surpassed the legitimate Mrs. Zhu.
So was this Xiao Pei’s way of flaunting her "victory"?
Lauren Shaw gave a derisive laugh. “So what?”
Even if she succeeded in replacing the wife, did she really think about her future?
“I believe Zhu Xun will definitely divorce her. Then I’ll be Mrs. Zhu!” Soon, she’d be able to bask in luxury and glory.
Those words were almost too ridiculous.
Sophia Chandler couldn’t help but chuckle. Reality was harsh, so she offered a friendly warning: “Every woman who’s been with my dad has said that, but he still hasn’t divorced. You’re still young—maybe if you wait another twenty years, after Shang Min is gone, you’ll get your wish.”
Xiao Pei’s face darkened as she glared at Sophia Chandler. “You—”
“No need to get worked up. There are plenty of women wanting to be my stepmom, and plenty who are prettier. But in the end, none of them ever managed to squeeze Shang Min out, did they?”
Sophia Chandler didn’t like Shang Min much, but she liked Xiao Pei even less. Women like her had their ambitions practically written across their faces. If this were a TV drama, she wouldn’t last more than three episodes.
Xiao Pei hadn’t expected such a retort, but remembering that she was carrying Zhu Xun’s child, she regained her composure.
“What do you know? Just wait and see—one day, Zhu Xun will marry me.”
With that, she turned and stalked off.
Sophia Chandler couldn’t help but shake her head, letting out a light sigh. “Still too young after all.”
“She really will stop at nothing to marry into the upper crust.”
“She has no idea what Shang Min is capable of.” Sophia Chandler said quietly, her gaze growing a shade dimmer as she looked at Lauren Shaw. “My dad’s had affairs with so many women, but not a single one has ever dared cause drama at the Zhu residence. Do you know why?”
Lauren Shaw had a faint idea.
Sophia Chandler continued, “If she thinks Shang Min is just an ordinary society wife, she couldn’t be more wrong. Anyone who’s held that position this long has definitely got tricks up her sleeve.”