Around noon, Lauren Shaw and Yancy Shaw arrived together at the restaurant, where Owen Shaw was already waiting.

"Uncle, why isn’t Sister Shuyun here today?"

"She had some matters to deal with and couldn’t make it." Owen Shaw glanced teasingly at Yancy Shaw. "Didn’t you say yesterday you’d come alone? How come Yancheng’s here too?"

"Something happened last night, so he rushed over," Lauren Shaw explained.

Owen Shaw rested his chin in one hand, looking at her thoughtfully. "Did you attend the banquet at the Mo family’s hotel last night as well?"

Lauren Shaw nodded. "That’s right."

"Ah, that explains it." Owen Shaw seemed to instantly understand.

Lauren Shaw didn’t catch his meaning. "What do you mean?"

"Wasn’t there a fall-from-height incident at that hotel last night?" Owen Shaw asked.

"There was."

"That’s the Mo family’s hotel—and it also happens to be one under Shuyun’s management. The police are still investigating..."

"So you’re saying Sister Shuyun is from the Mo family?" Lauren Shaw asked, only now piecing it together.

No wonder she’d bumped into Shuyun Moore at the hotel last night; she hadn’t realized she was actually a member of the Mo family.

"Yeah, her father passed away years ago, her mother lives abroad most of the year, and she has a younger brother. But after a car accident several years back, he’s been confined to a wheelchair. She also lives with her elderly grandfather."

This was the first time Lauren Shaw had heard anyone talk about the Mo family’s private affairs.

Yancy Shaw, sitting beside her, hadn’t spoken a word—he simply listened quietly as Owen Shaw continued.

"I’ve also heard she has an uncle, but from what Shuyun says, he’s not a good person. He’s always trying to get his hands on their family’s assets, and your Sister Shuyun doesn’t like him one bit."

That uncle—he must mean Mo Fan...

"Come to think of it, you probably know him. I heard he’s recently come to Ancheng to develop his business. Have you seen him around?"

Lauren Shaw nodded. "We’ve met."

More than that—they’d even come to blows.

But Yancy Shaw didn’t mention any of that.

"Just a heads up—you two should keep your distance. I’ve dealt with him before; he’s not someone to mess with. Steer clear," Owen Shaw warned.

Both Lauren Shaw and Yancy Shaw nodded obediently.

After their meal, Lauren Shaw and Yancy Shaw headed back to the hotel. Lauren Shaw couldn’t help but sigh as she recalled what Owen Shaw said. "Turns out Mo Qinglin was telling the truth last time."

She remembered running into him at the hotel before, and him bringing up past incidents. At the time, she hadn’t paid him much attention, but after what Owen Shaw said today, her view of Mo Qinglin had changed.

"The Mo family is complicated, and Mo Fan is very ambitious. Now that he wants to set foot in Ancheng, Wanrui is just an empty shell. I’m guessing he’ll use Wanrui for some shady business soon," Yancy Shaw said.

Lauren Shaw pondered for a moment, then looked up at Yancy Shaw. "Do you think Eva Snow’s death could have anything to do with Mo Fan?"

That morning, in the hotel hallway, Mo Qinglin’s words had sounded meaningful, almost like a warning.

Yancy Shaw took her shoulders gently, his eyes serious. "Shengsheng, promise me—don’t dig too deep into this. Remember: don’t ask, don’t get involved. That’s the only way to stay safe, understand?"

Lauren Shaw fell silent for a few seconds, then nodded. "Alright."

That night, another charity gala was scheduled, and Lauren Shaw attended with Yancy Shaw.

At eight o’clock, the charity event began.

Invited guests trickled in, many of them celebrities—including Li Qiuchi.

Spotting Lauren Shaw, Li Qiuchi came over to chat with them for a bit.

Standing by Yancy Shaw’s side, Lauren Shaw overheard a couple of artists gossiping behind her.

"These charity galas are getting more and more lowbrow—just look at the people they invite now."

"You just don’t get it, do you? She has a big sponsor backing her. What, are you still mad she took your part last time?"

"Hmph, it’s not even a role I wanted."

The woman next to her just smiled and didn’t say anything.

Lauren Shaw followed their gaze and saw Yana Quinn heading their way. The woman behind her let out a disdainful laugh—clearly, there was no love lost between them.

Judging by their gossip, it had been about Yana Quinn.

Yana Quinn walked past Lauren Shaw, stopping just behind her. Instantly, Lauren Shaw could feel the chilly resentful glare fixed on her back. She didn’t even need to turn around to know who it was.

The women behind her started up with their gossip again.

"I heard someone from the Snow family fell last night—wonder what happened?"

"Who knows. But I heard Ms. Qiao’s pretty close with Mrs. Xue’s husband. Ms. Qiao, do you know what happened?"

They both turned to Yana Quinn—obviously trying to put her on the spot. In the entertainment world, everyone ‘knew’ how Yana Quinn climbed the social ladder, but nobody said it outright.

Yana Quinn gave a cold half-smile. "How would I know?"

There was a proud look on her face; she couldn’t care less about these two women.

"Third Young Master Shen, I didn’t expect to see you here tonight."

That voice—it was Qin Jia.

Lauren Shaw frowned, looking up to find Qin Jia smiling rakishly. Her eyes lingered longingly on Yancy Shaw. Realizing Yancy Shaw’s attitude was cold, she masked her feelings and turned her attention to Lauren Shaw.

"Miss Li, you’re here, too."

Lauren Shaw nodded politely. "Miss Qin, is your father doing well?"

Hearing that, Qin Jia’s expression shifted slightly. "Thank you for your concern. My father is fine."

Before the charity auction, special guests and artists were invited onstage for a group photo—including Lauren Shaw.

These group photos were always a competition of beauty.

Lauren Shaw lifted her gown and walked up. Other artists participating in the gala went up with her. Beside her, Li Qiuchi smiled; tonight, she wore a long evening gown that made walking tricky.

Lauren Shaw stood by her side, helping adjust her skirt.

Suddenly, a piercing scream split the air.

Lauren Shaw’s head shot up—she saw Yana Quinn’s face drained of color, crouching helplessly to the ground, arms crossed over her chest.

She’d worn a strapless evening dress. Apparently, someone had stepped on her gown, and it slipped down, exposing a good deal.

Cameras hurried to film the spectacle. This kind of juicy scandal was prime meat for the media.

Qin Jia crouched down to shield Yana Quinn from the cameras, shooting a meaningful look in Lauren Shaw’s direction.

That look made everyone in the audience assume Lauren Shaw was the one who’d stepped on Yana Quinn’s dress.

"Lauren Shaw, you did it on purpose, didn’t you?"

Yana Quinn glared at her, eyes red, the resentment plain to see.

Every camera was pointed at Lauren Shaw. She met their gazes, unshaken. "I didn’t do it."

But such a weak denial convinced no one.

Someone helped Yana Quinn offstage, while Qin Jia looked at Lauren Shaw with a smirk.

"Shengsheng was next to me the whole time. She didn’t even come near Yana Quinn," Li Qiuchi defended her.

But the little mishap did nothing to delay the group photo, and afterward, Li Qiuchi and Lauren Shaw found their seats together.