Nina Shaw immediately caught on and wrapped her arm around her mother’s.

"Mom, aren’t we doing just fine right now? Living well and minding our own business—that’s better than anything else."

Mother and daughter shared a knowing glance at Huang Cui-rou. Huang dared not act up any further; she understood their meaning and didn’t argue.

She was much more well-behaved these days, perhaps because she knew there was no one left at home who would side with her.

Vivian James had quarreled with her not long ago and now, no matter what Huang said, Jiang paid her no mind. With nobody left willing to listen, Huang had learned to keep quiet.

The old lady smiled, “That’s right. In life, knowing contentment brings happiness. Let’s eat.”

After speaking, she leaned on her cane to rise and moved to the dining table.

Li Mother wasn’t one to push her advantage. She shot Huang a cold glare but let the matter drop.

Soon, the room filled with laughter again, and the earlier unpleasantness was quickly forgotten.

Vivian James leaned close to Huang Cui-rou and quietly advised, "Mom, from now on, you’d better keep quiet in front of the Shaw family. They never did anything to offend you—we’re all family here. Do you really need to stir up trouble and make everyone look bad before you’ll be satisfied?"

She’d kept these words inside for a long time, and saying them now was a relief.

Huang’s expression darkened, and she wanted to retort, but Vivian James didn’t give her the chance. She took the child from Huang’s arms and walked over to sit with Lauren Shaw and her sister, chattering and laughing with them.

Lauren Shaw took the baby as Nina Shaw made the child smile. The women started reminiscing about their childhood together; before long, they were laughing heartily, as if those pure, youthful bonds had returned.

—

Since Lauren Shaw wasn’t home, Yancy Shaw didn’t go home after work either. Instead, he called Bryce Shaw and Nathan Shaw out for drinks.

Nathan Shaw was usually busy and rarely joined them for drinks, but when Yancy Shaw called, he came anyway.

"Is the sun rising in the west today? Has our little brother lost his mind? He actually thought to invite us for drinks?" Bryce Shaw teased, eyeing the unusually quiet Yancy Shaw.

Nathan Shaw chuckled, "You’ve got some nerve saying that. Aren’t you the same? Have you ever thought to invite your big brother to dinner? All that doting in our childhood for nothing."

"Big bro, now that’s just not fair," Bryce Shaw retorted, "Every time I ask you both out for a drink, you’re always busy with one thing or another, making excuses. I got tired of asking!"

It was true—Nathan Shaw was always busy with work, and getting him out for a drink was a near-impossible feat.

Yancy Shaw was another matter altogether; all his attention was focused on his beloved Lauren Shaw. To get him out, you’d have to check her schedule first.

Nathan Shaw smiled and changed the subject: "How’s the company lately?"

"Same as always—it’d be better if you’d both come back and help," Bryce Shaw shrugged and took a sip of his drink before turning to his brother. "What about you, big bro? Still swamped?"

"Not bad. Just a lot to handle at the lab. Sometimes even when Mom calls me home for dinner, I barely have the time," said Nathan Shaw.

Lately, Ms. Chen had been calling often, maybe worried about him after the whole Mandy Snow incident, tending to him more than usual.

But he wasn’t anywhere near as fragile as they imagined—Mandy Snow posed no threat to him.

Speaking of Mandy Snow, something seemed to occur to Nathan Shaw. He asked, "Any movement from the Snow family lately?"

That was precisely why Yancy Shaw had called them out for drinks today.

"The Snow family’s found a new backer—the Mo family from East China," Yancy Shaw told them.

Discussions among the three brothers were always more effective, especially when it meant defending the Shen family’s interests.

Nathan Shaw frowned, "The Mo family from East China?"

Bryce Shaw explained, "They’re basically untouchable in the East. Their underground business is thriving. I even heard last year there was a big smuggling case, and though it was tied to the Mo family, they found a scapegoat for the charges and got away clean. That was the end of it."

Smuggling? The Mo family clearly wasn’t afraid of risk.

"So their purpose in coming to Ancheng must be anything but simple," Nathan Shaw mused.

"Their target is the Shen family," Yancy Shaw said bluntly.

Drawing in the Snow family was just their first step. Next, they’d try to poach every business in town that wasn’t already partnered with Shen Corp. They were clearly going all in against the Shens.

Both men turned to Bryce Shaw, who smiled mysteriously. "Coming for the Shen family? Let’s see if they have what it takes."

Shen Corp’s legacy in Ancheng spanned generations, its roots running deep. The likes of the Mo family couldn’t just waltz in and take over—if anything, they’d end up overreaching themselves.

Besides, the Shen family wasn’t short of heirs. Yancheng and Nanfeng had simply kept a low profile.

Should anyone threaten the Shen family, none of them would stand idly by.

"Enough talk—let’s drink. It’s rare for the three of us to gather like this, so let’s enjoy ourselves tonight." Bryce Shaw raised his glass, but just then a sneering voice interrupted.

"Well, well! What a coincidence to run into the three young masters of the Shen family tonight."

Yancy Shaw paused mid-toast and glanced coolly at the speaker—a man named Mo Fan, accompanied by Mandy Snow and Sylvia Shaw.

The trio exchanged looks; Mandy Snow’s eyes darted away, unable to meet Nathan Shaw’s icy stare.

Sylvia Shaw, intimidated, instinctively hid behind Mandy Snow.

Bryce Shaw regarded Mo Fan with open disdain. "What brings you here, President Mo?"

The brothers were just drinking together, while Mo Fan had dragged Mandy Snow and Sylvia Shaw over—the gesture was hardly welcome.

Mo Fan smiled, but the expression didn’t reach his eyes. He placed a hand possessively on Mandy Snow’s waist, ignoring her efforts to dodge, and pushed her in front of Nathan Shaw.

"I’m just here to thank Mr. Nathan Shaw properly," he said.

"Mo Fan, shut your mouth!" Mandy Snow hissed, desperate to stop him.

But Mo Fan ignored her. His eyes flashed with malice as he leaned close to Mandy Snow and murmured so only the two of them could hear, "What’s wrong? You still care about him?"

Mandy Snow stayed silent. Mo Fan looked up at Nathan Shaw, a mocking smile curling his lips.

"I want to thank you for taking care of my daughter all these years, and thank the Shen family for raising her for me—"

Before he could finish, there was a loud thud as he took a solid punch to the face.