After the fashion show ended, Lauren Shaw returned to her hotel room. There was still a brand dinner that night, so she needed to freshen up and prepare.

She had hardly stepped into her room when the doorbell rang.

It was Claire Xu.

Their rooms were close by, and Claire Xu, bored alone, had come over for a chat.

Li Qiuchi had left earlier due to work arrangements.

Claire Xu settled onto the sofa, idly scrolling through short videos on her phone, seeming quite content.

Lauren Shaw teased, "It's your engagement party at the end of the month. How's the prep going?"

At the mention of her engagement, Claire Xu became more serious. "There's nothing much for me to do. It depends on whether the Xu family cares about it or not."

Whether or not George Xu took it seriously didn't matter much to her.

After all, it was her and Henry Mills's life together—so long as she was happy, that was all she needed.

"I saw Eva Snow and Yvonne Sung at the show earlier. They didn't say anything nasty to you, did they?"

She'd noticed them seated nearby, with Eva Snow wearing a look that seemed to say she'd eat her alive if she could.

Lauren Shaw shook her head. "They've got mouths of their own—we can't control what they say. But at this point, all they can do is talk tough."

No matter how much Eva Snow hated her, she wouldn't dare touch her.

Still, Yvonne Sung's posturing was really quite off-putting.

"Hasn't Yvonne Sung rekindled things with Yana Quinn? That Eva Snow has quite the patience, putting on a happy couple act in this situation. If it were me, I'd die of embarrassment."

Lauren Shaw gave a simple smile and didn't add anything.

—

At seven in the evening, Lauren Shaw and Claire Xu went to the dinner together.

People mingled in small groups, chatting about fashion, business, and of course, a bit of gossip.

The scandal with the Snow family was no secret in their world—especially considering how notorious Eva Snow already was—so there were always whispers about her behind her back.

Eva Snow clung awkwardly to Yvonne Sung's arm, her smile more strained than sincere.

A cluster of socialites whispered about Eva Snow nearby.

"Hey, isn't that the heiress of the Snow family from Ancheng? I heard things got pretty ugly between her and the Mo family last time."

"Didn't think she'd still show up in East China. Mo Shao will be here tonight too—wonder if it'll be awkward when they meet."

"Hey, look—that's Mo Shao, isn't it?"

As the women gossiped, their eyes flicked to the entrance as Mo Qinglin rolled in his wheelchair. His presence was cold and forbidding; as he glanced over them, their chatter instantly died.

In East China, the Mo family's position was unassailable—and Mo Qinglin's even more so. People might mock his disability behind closed doors, but no one would dare say it to his face.

Mo Qinglin's eyes swept the room and landed on Mandy Snow, seated alone in a corner. A faint smile touched his lips as he headed her way.

"Ms. Xue, may I sit here?"

Mandy Snow turned to look at him, puzzled. "Mo Shao, you can sit wherever you like. No need to ask me."

Mo Qinglin chuckled lightly. When he smiled, he seemed honest and unspoiled, almost like a boy untouched by the world.

"As I recall, you nearly became my aunt back then. Fate really does like to toy with people—now it seems you and my uncle get a second chance."

Though he sounded casual, the implication wasn't lost on Mandy Snow.

"How do you know about me and your uncle?" Mandy Snow didn't recall him at all.

Few people had known about her and Mo Fan back then, and Mo Fan had always been a playboy. Mandy Snow was just one of many—why would the Mo family care?

Besides, Mo Qinglin had been just a child at the time.

He sighed softly at her question. "I saw you back then, but you probably don't remember. I was much younger then, and I certainly wasn't like this."

He glanced at his legs, a shadow in his eyes.

"A car accident cost me both my legs—and my fiancée at the same time."

Mandy Snow didn't reply. She just stared at his legs, deep in thought.

Mo Qinglin took a sip of wine, then caught sight of Lauren Shaw. He smiled at Mandy Snow as he excused himself. "Please excuse me, Ms. Xue."

As she watched him wheel towards Lauren Shaw, Mandy Snow's contemptuous gaze turned slightly curious.

Lauren Shaw noticed Mo Qinglin coming her way and unconsciously grew wary.

"Miss Li."

Lauren Shaw responded politely, "Mr. Mo."

She'd seen Mo Qinglin and Mandy Snow talking earlier, and the more she observed him, the less she could read what kind of man Mo Qinglin really was.

Still, she didn't linger in conversation with him.

Halfway through the banquet, Mo Fan called Mandy Snow, asking her to come over.

Clearly annoyed, Mandy Snow took her call to a quiet corner.

"Mo Fan, are you nuts? Can't this wait until later?"

Xu Yue spotted Mandy Snow on the phone. Whatever was said, it set her off—she hung up furiously and stormed upstairs.

"What do you want?" Mandy Snow glanced around. This was a secluded spot; no one else would come by.

Mo Fan was smoking. The smell made Mandy Snow frown.

"Your nephew just came to talk to me. Want to know what he said?"

"What?" Mo Fan stubbed out his cigarette, sounding utterly unconcerned.

As if something occurred to her, she asked, "Was Mo Qinglin's accident your doing?"

She knew Mo Fan too well—he'd stop at nothing to get what he wanted.

Mo Fan merely raised his brows, not bothering to deny it.

"You're insane! You'd hurt even your own nephew?" Mandy Snow looked at him with undisguised disgust. Men like him were truly frightening.

"That's all ancient history. Not worth bringing up. The reason I called you over—there's something I want to discuss."

"Whatever it is, say it later. I don't have time right now." Mandy Snow turned to leave, but he grabbed her wrist.

"Is this how you treat someone who helped you?" Mo Fan's tone darkened as he fixed his eyes on her. "Believe me, I can decide whether Wan Rui lives or dies."

Mandy Snow's expression changed at once. Sighing, she forced herself to stay calm. "Fine. What do you want?"

Seeing her relent softened Mo Fan somewhat. "There's a shipment coming into Ancheng in a few days. I'm planning to use Wan Rui's name for the import..."

"No way!" Mandy Snow immediately shot back. "Mo Fan, that's smuggling. Do you have any idea how serious it would be if you got caught?"

"So what? You're not in charge of Wan Rui. If trouble comes, someone else will take the fall..."

Suddenly, a ringtone cut off their conversation.

"Who is it?" Mo Fan's voice was laced with menace.