Chapter 267: Wanting to Give You a Wedding Like No Other
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Time flew by quickly, and on the day of Claire Xu and Henry Mills’s engagement party, Claire Xu arrived early at Lauren Shaw’s studio.
Seeing her sitting silently in her chair, Lauren Shaw sat down beside her and asked softly, “Today’s your engagement party—why do you look so unhappy?”
Claire Xu confessed her worries. “I’m just afraid something will go wrong today. I can’t shake this uneasy feeling.”
Lauren Shaw couldn’t help but laugh gently. “It’s normal to be nervous for your first engagement.”
Claire Xu answered without thinking, “I probably won’t be this anxious for my next engagement.” Upon hearing this, Lauren Shaw burst out laughing.
It took Claire Xu a moment to realize what she’d said. “No, no! What a jinx I am.”
Lauren Shaw teased her, “Qingqing, are you already planning your next engagement?”
Lauren Shaw’s playful words put Claire Xu at ease, and her earlier nerves faded.
Lauren Shaw brought out the gown and helped her change. Claire Xu was tall and elegant—even as a model, her figure was striking and filled out the dress perfectly.
The engagement banquet was held at the He family’s old estate, and most of the guests were elders from both families and a few close friends.
Lauren Shaw and Yancy Shaw sat together. Across from them was Hannah Xu, who was so extravagantly dressed today that, if you didn’t know better, you’d think it was her engagement party.
Of course, Claire Xu also noticed her, but she was busy greeting guests with Henry Mills and didn’t pay her much attention.
Hannah Xu watched Claire Xu with a bitter gaze. Seeing her radiant smile, Hannah Xu squeezed her fists in frustration.
George Xu, Claire Xu’s father, seemed particularly happy tonight. He drank a lot and kept calling Henry Mills’s parents 'in-laws.'
Yet, now and then, he glanced at Claire Xu with a tinge of sadness, which left her a bit confused.
But with so many guests at the banquet, Claire Xu didn’t dwell on it for long.
After dinner, Lauren Shaw and Yancy Shaw left the He estate and headed back to Lanyue Residence.
Downstairs, Lauren Shaw suggested taking a walk outside. Yancy Shaw took her hand, and together they strolled through the park.
The evening breeze was soft and pleasant against their skin.
“Do you remember that night we ran into each other at the park? Henry Mills was there too. Do you remember?”
Lauren Shaw, hand in hand with him, looked up slightly, her eyes full of laughter.
Yancy Shaw gazed at her with indulgence. “Of course. That night, Henry Mills and I had already eaten, but you said you hadn’t. So I stayed and ate with you again.”
“But you clearly said you hadn’t eaten yet that night?”
“If I hadn’t lied, how would I have had an excuse to spend more time with you?”
“So, you were scheming all along.”
“Yes, I’ve been plotting for a long time.”
His deep voice had a mesmerizing quality, and it was all too easy for Lauren Shaw to get swept away. She looked up at him again, eyes brimming with affection.
“Shengsheng,” Yancy Shaw said warmly, “I want to give you a wedding like no other.”
Lauren Shaw met his gaze; his eyes were as deep as a tranquil lake, drawing her in completely. She couldn’t help but nod. “Alright.”
Yancy Shaw tipped her chin with his finger and leaned down to kiss her…
The night grew increasingly intimate. They were like a pair of lovers caught up in the thrill of new love, unable to part from each other.
Lauren Shaw wrapped her arms around his neck, taking the initiative at last. Yancy Shaw was in an excellent mood, letting her have her way.
They didn’t stop until Lauren Shaw’s phone began to ring.
Realizing how wild she’d just been, Lauren Shaw’s cheeks flushed crimson as she searched for her phone.
“Where’s the phone ringing?”
“Here it is.” Yancy Shaw handed it over to her, eyes filled with amusement.
Lauren Shaw accepted the phone and looked away, trying to hide her embarrassment.
She answered the call. Claire Xu’s voice was urgent, barely holding back tears. “Shengsheng, my dad—he… something happened to him.”
The tension in Claire Xu’s tone made Lauren Shaw nervous too. “What happened? Don’t panic—just tell me slowly.”
George Xu had been in high spirits today, drinking a lot at the engagement party. Not long after going home, a call came from the Xu family’s maid—George Xu had suffered a brain hemorrhage and was being rushed to the hospital.
Even though Claire Xu and George Xu hadn’t always gotten along, he was still her father. The moment she heard he was in critical condition, she didn’t even bother changing out of her gown before rushing straight to the hospital.
Lauren Shaw and Yancy Shaw hurried to the hospital. Henry Mills was by Claire Xu’s side outside the operating room. Claire Xu’s face was pale, her cheeks streaked with tears, looking rather frazzled.
“Qingqing.” Lauren Shaw jogged over to her. Claire Xu gazed at her helplessly—were it not for Henry Mills by her side, her legs might have given way.
“I always thought he was in great health…” Claire Xu murmured to herself.
A sudden brain hemorrhage is often fatal. She’d always accepted her father’s indifference, and even though she’d said harsh words in the past, right now she just wanted him to survive.
Yancy Shaw stayed calm. Lauren Shaw glanced at him and asked, “Where are Mrs. Xu and Hannah Xu?”
It seemed unthinkable that they could just be sleeping at home at a time like this.
Henry Mills replied, “The maids said the two of them weren’t at home.”
“Not at home?” Lauren Shaw frowned tightly.
“For now, we don’t know exactly what's going on. We’ll have to wait until Father Xu wakes up to figure everything out.”
Henry Mills stayed by Claire Xu’s side, unwilling to leave even for a moment.
“Don’t worry too much. Mr. Xu’s bleeding doesn’t look too severe—he’ll be okay,” Yancy Shaw comforted in a low voice.
He had just been to see George Xu’s brain scans. Even though his words were meant to reassure, hearing them from him was still comforting.
The operation lasted over three hours.
Fortunately, the surgery was a success, and George Xu was out of danger.
Claire Xu finally breathed a sigh of relief, leaning against Henry Mills, her brow covered in cold sweat.
Just then, a call came from home—the housekeeper said that May Lee and Hannah Xu were busy packing up at that very moment, planning to leave the country that night.
Why now, of all times? What could be so urgent that they had to flee tonight?
They hadn’t shown up during George Xu’s emergency, and now that he’d pulled through, they wanted to escape. What on earth were they up to?
Claire Xu told the maid to stop them—she was coming home right away, determined to find out what mother and daughter were scheming.
She looked at Lauren Shaw, and Lauren Shaw understood immediately. “Don’t worry—I’ll stay here and watch over things.”
Claire Xu and Henry Mills rushed home. Lauren Shaw and Yancy Shaw remained at the hospital to look after George Xu.
At the Xu home, May Lee and Hannah Xu finished packing, each dragging a large suitcase, ready to leave.
But the maid stepped in and blocked their path.
“Madam, where are you two going?”
May Lee snapped, “Do I owe you an explanation? Get out of my way!”
The maids were already used to her attitude. She acted like a completely different person in front of the servants than she did with George Xu.
But this time, the maid stood her ground. May Lee, furious, tried to force her way through.
Just as she thought she’d made it out safely, a voice at the door startled her.
“Auntie Liao, where exactly are you two running off to?”