Nina Shaw rejected her without hesitation and picked up her phone to send a message to Xavier Quinn.

‘It’s urgent, come quickly.’

After sending the message, Nina Shaw’s expression barely changed. She idly scrolled through short videos on her phone.

Xiao Xiufang caught sight of someone approaching behind Nina Shaw and quickly put on a gentle expression.

“There’s no need to be so wary of me. I know you and Xavi Quinn don’t like me, but I don’t mean you any harm. I just want to do what I can to make you dislike me a little less…”

Listening to her, you’d think the two of them were bullying her—it was utterly ridiculous.

Nina Shaw was just speechless.

“A-Ning has already said she doesn’t need your care. Didn’t you understand?” Xavier Quinn’s voice rang out behind Nina Shaw, cold and sharp, his eyes downright icy.

Xiao Xiufang looked at him in disappointment. “Xavi Quinn, I don’t have any ill intentions.”

“I don’t care what your intentions are. I’m warning you—don’t even think about playing any tricks on A-Ning. Otherwise, I won’t let you off so easily.” Xavier Quinn stared at her darkly, hatred flickering in his eyes.

Xiao Xiufang was intimidated by his glare and took a cautious step back.

Nina Shaw took Xavier Quinn’s hand and tried to calm him. “Alright, don’t scare Aunt Xiao.” She turned to Xiao Xiufang with a bright smile. “Aunt Xiao, please don’t take it personally. Xavi Quinn’s just like that—he can be a bit blunt sometimes, so try to understand.”

Those words sounded oddly familiar. Ah, yes—last time when Xavier Quinn and Qiao Jing were arguing, Xiao Xiufang had said the same thing to Xavier Quinn.

This little brat! Now she’s turning the tables and trying to take the upper hand!

Xiao Xiufang fumed silently, but didn’t dare show it. She kept her smile plastered on. “It’s alright—I understand.”

Xavier Quinn shot her a frosty look and led Nina Shaw away.

As they walked, he reminded Nina Shaw, “If she says any more nonsense to you, just ignore her and keep your distance.”

“It’s fine. If she can talk, so can I—I’m not exactly easy to win an argument against.” Nina Shaw had inherited her sharp tongue from Owen Shaw; she’d never lost an argument growing up, and doing so now would be letting her father down.

Hearing that, Xavier Quinn finally relaxed a little, looking down at Nina Shaw. “What did she say to you just now?”

“She wanted me to move back in with her so she could take care of me.” Nina Shaw relayed the gist of it. “But there’s no way I’d agree—I like my freedom and don’t enjoy living with people who are always scheming.”

Amused, Xavier Quinn said, “Then don’t move back if you don’t want to.”

She didn’t know what exactly the history was between him and Xiao Xiufang, but it was obvious he couldn’t stand her—otherwise, he wouldn’t act this way.

After the birthday banquet, Nina Shaw received a call from Cheng Wen, who said he was free tonight and wanted to have dinner together and catch up.

Nina Shaw agreed without thinking much about it.

Coincidentally, Xavier Quinn had social plans that evening as well, and Nina Shaw didn’t have many friends in Hong Kong. Cheng Wen was an old acquaintance, and it had been a while since they’d eaten together.

They arranged to meet at a Chinese restaurant. That night, Nina Shaw wore a loose dress—nobody could tell she was pregnant.

She lifted her skirt hem and looked at her slightly rounded tummy in the mirror, a gentle smile on her face as she stroked it softly. “Let’s go out and have a little fun with mommy tonight, hmm?”

She hadn’t gone out much lately—partly because she had no company, and partly because Xavier Quinn didn’t let her go out alone in the evenings.

The driver dropped her off at the restaurant, where Cheng Wen was already waiting. When he saw her enter, he waved.

Nina Shaw took the seat across from him with a pleasant smile. “Sorry—have you been waiting long?”

Cheng Wen’s gaze was a bit intense. “Not at all—I just got here myself.”

A waiter brought over the menu. Cheng Wen politely handed it to Nina Shaw, who ordered a selection of light dishes. Cheng Wen looked surprised. “Don’t you usually like spicy food? Why are you picking such mild things tonight?”

Nina Shaw gave a small, polite smile. “I can’t eat heavy flavors lately—for health reasons.”

Cheng Wen’s smile faltered abruptly. He hesitated, then asked, “You’re… having a baby, aren’t you?”

Nina Shaw nodded with a smile.

Cheng Wen’s smile froze, and for a moment, he was at a loss for words.

Sensing his drop in mood, Nina Shaw asked, “What’s bothering you?”

Cheng Wen quickly composed himself. “No, it’s nothing. I was just thinking—time flies. I can’t believe you’re about to be a mom now.”

Nina Shaw didn’t notice the disappointment in his voice. Before she could say anything else, a woman’s voice called out.

“Mrs. Qiao?”

Nina Shaw looked up and saw that the woman standing beside her was Sheng Hanxia. The smile on Nina Shaw’s face faded instantly.

“So it really is you—I thought I was seeing things for a moment,” Sheng Hanxia said, glancing meaningfully at Cheng Wen across from Nina Shaw before she could respond.

Cheng Wen was quite friendly and introduced himself, “Hi, I’m Cheng Wen, a college classmate of Nina Shaw’s.”

Sheng Hanxia curled her lips in a polite smile. “Well, you two enjoy your meal. I’ve got business to attend to, so I won’t intrude.”

With that, she strode elegantly toward one of the private rooms.

Nina Shaw kept her eyes on Sheng Hanxia’s back until she disappeared from view, then finally looked away.

Sheng Hanxia entered the private room, where a number of people were already seated. She immediately spotted Xavier Quinn.

Xavier Quinn wasn’t paying her any attention. The person next to him was discussing a collaboration proposal, and he listened quietly without offering any opinions.

The seat to his right was empty. Sheng Hanxia walked over and sat down, making Xavier Quinn frown.

Sheng Hanxia didn’t care whether he was displeased. Gazing at him with interest, she said, “President Qiao, you don’t mind if I sit here, do you?”

The room fell silent. Everyone present knew about the rumors between Sheng Hanxia and Xavier Quinn. They’d been the subject of gossip before—though it was all clarified as misunderstanding, some people just loved to fan those flames.

Xavier Quinn replied curtly, “I don’t mind.”

Sheng Hanxia’s smile widened, but she didn’t get to enjoy it for long—Xavier Quinn stood up and announced to the room in a low voice, “Something’s come up. I’ll have to leave early—please excuse me.”

“President Qiao, you’re leaving already? You just got here!”

“My wife is waiting for me at home—I can’t stay out too late.”

It sounded like an explanation, but was really just showing off. Sheng Hanxia’s expression darkened instantly.

He opened the door and walked out. Sheng Hanxia quickly got up and chased after him.

“President Qiao, why do you always leave as soon as I arrive?”

“No reason.” Xavier Quinn didn’t stop or even slow his pace—he only wanted to get home faster.

Looking at how briskly he walked, Sheng Hanxia couldn’t help but scoff, “Don’t you realize your wife isn’t even home right now?”