Claire Xu had only just managed to hold back her tears, but suddenly they surged forth again.

"I know you still resent me. I neglected you all these years, and that was my fault. I'm sorry; your father was wrong."

George Xu apologized with heartfelt sincerity. Claire Xu couldn't hold back anymore—her tears spilled down. She straightened her back, her voice strong and unwavering. "I'm not doing this to forgive you. I'm only here because you’re my father, and it’s my duty to take care of you."

With that, Claire Xu walked out of the hospital room, resolute.

Outside, she saw Henry Mills waiting for her. Her eyes were red-rimmed. She went over and hugged him tightly around the waist.

Henry Mills gently patted her back, comforting her softly, "Just let it out. You'll feel better if you cry."

He understood the grievance she'd carried these years. That’s why he was determined to make it up to her, not letting her suffer another slight.

Claire Xu sobbed, her voice trembling, "I used to hate him, truly. But seeing him like this now, I find I can’t hate him anymore."

She hated how heartless he had been, but seeing him now, she simply couldn’t be cruel.

Henry Mills continued to pat her back, whispering comfort, "Everyone makes mistakes. And he is still your father. If you don’t want to forgive him, that’s fine too. Just listen to your own heart."

Whatever she decided, he would support her.

After a few days of rest, George Xu's condition gradually improved. He could speak fluently again.

Claire Xu cared for him at the hospital every day, though they exchanged few words. Watching him get a little better each day, she finally felt the weight lift from her heart.

"Qingqing, where are Aunt Liao and Huan these days?" For the past few days, only Claire Xu had been taking care of him—he hadn't seen May Lee or Hannah Xu. Now that he was feeling better, he finally remembered them.

Claire Xu's expression changed.

"Why are you asking about them?" She wasn't ready to bring up what had happened that night, worried it might upset his recovering health.

"I was just wondering. I haven’t seen them these days."

"Did you actually hope they’d come take care of you while you’re sick?"

Claire Xu could never keep things bottled up. If she weren’t worried about George Xu’s health, she’d have said everything already.

Lauren Shaw came to the hospital to visit George Xu, and heard Claire Xu’s voice just outside the ward door.

"Your heart is always with those two. Do you even know? The night you were admitted, May Lee was preparing to run off with Hannah Xu." Claire Xu’s voice was calm, as if she were simply recounting someone else’s story.

George Xu was just as calm.

The room went silent.

Lauren Shaw pushed the door open and came in, carrying fruit and tonics. Sensing how uncomfortable Claire Xu felt, Lauren Shaw tried to smooth things over. "Uncle Xu, how are you feeling today?"

George Xu replied politely, "Much better today, thank you."

Lauren Shaw smiled at Claire Xu. Claire Xu turned around and left the room. As Lauren Shaw started after her, George Xu stopped her.

"Shengsheng, you’re Claire Xu’s best friend. You know things have been tense between me and Claire Xu. There are some things I can only ask you," George Xu said, looking a little forlorn.

"Uncle Xu, just ask me directly." Lauren Shaw wasn’t foolish; sometimes, it really was better for an outsider to relay certain messages.

Lauren Shaw stayed in the room for a while before coming out. When she did, Claire Xu was sitting blankly outside on a bench, lost in thought.

Lauren Shaw sat down next to her, slinging an arm over her shoulder.

"Still mad?"

Claire Xu pouted and turned her head away. "No. Why would I be mad?"

"Uncle Xu is looking much better. He wouldn’t have recovered so quickly without your care, you know."

"So what? He only has May Lee and her daughter in his heart."

Just then, May Lee arrived.

Claire Xu’s face fell at the sight. Didn’t she tell them to keep those two away? How did they get in?

"What are you two doing here?"

"Your father called and told us to come. What, you want to keep us out?" May Lee strutted in like a triumphant rooster, convinced that George Xu had forgiven her the moment he called.

She cast a smug glance at Claire Xu and rushed into the ward with Hannah Xu in tow.

Lauren Shaw smiled knowingly.

Claire Xu still didn’t know the real reason George Xu had called the pair.

Lauren Shaw caught her hand, excitement in her voice. "Come on, let’s go see the show."

Claire Xu was uninterested. "I really don’t want to. Do I look like I want to see their happy little family reunion?"

Before she could finish, Lauren Shaw had dragged her into the ward.

Inside, things were not at all what she’d imagined. George Xu’s face was thunderous, glaring at May Lee and Hannah Xu.

May Lee’s face was streaked with tears, while Hannah Xu cowered and trembled by her side.

"I never thought you could be so heartless—to want me dead!" George Xu’s voice was thick with fury.

May Lee shrank back in terror. "Old Xu, I didn’t mean it! I was just scared, that’s all. That’s why I wanted to leave…"

"Hmph! You think I’ll believe a word you say now?" George Xu grabbed a water bottle and threw it at her.

Hannah Xu spoke up for her mother, "Dad, my mom has served you for so many years. Can’t you let this go, just for her loyalty?"

"Loyalty? She’s only ever cared about wealth and status. The moment she thought I might die, she tried to run off with the money! You think I don’t know what you two are plotting?" George Xu gritted his teeth, eyes cold.

Earlier, Lauren Shaw had told him everything about what happened the night he was rushed to the hospital. All these years, it finally sank in—he’d been a fool, taken in by a woman with a snake’s heart.

May Lee was speechless and could only break into wailing sobs, crying, "I was wrong!"

Afraid the drama would make George Xu ill again, Claire Xu kicked May Lee and Hannah Xu out.

Once he was fully recovered, George Xu filed for divorce with May Lee, and Hannah Xu moved out with her mother.

The tension between Claire Xu and George Xu softened a little.

—

Life slowly returned to normal.

That day, Lauren Shaw was busy in the studio working on design sketches, when Mia May and Maya Wells came running over, faces brimming with excitement.

"Sienna Shaw, come quick, you have to see this!"

Still bent over her sketchbook, Lauren Shaw asked distractedly, "What’s got you two so worked up?"

"Just come see!" Maya Wells and Mia May pulled her by the hand. Moments later, Lauren Shaw gasped, covering her mouth in surprise.

In front of her was a gorgeous, pure white wedding dress, the bodice sparkling with diamonds like a sky full of stars.

"Whose is this?"

"Of course, it’s for Third Young Madam," Yuan Ran stepped out from behind the dress, answering with a grin.

"This gown must have cost a fortune!" Mia May exclaimed in awe.

"Third Young Master had it custom-ordered from France. It took five months to complete."

"He ordered it that long ago? How did I not know?" Lauren Shaw was thoroughly stunned.

"Precisely because you weren’t supposed to know." A new voice spoke up. At some point, Yancy Shaw appeared at the door, cradling a bouquet of fresh flowers, walking slowly toward her like a prince from a fairy tale.

Lauren Shaw’s heart hammered in her chest.

Five months to make this dress… That meant not long after they’d registered their marriage, Yancy Shaw had already begun preparing.