That single "Laura" startled Peach and Laura Lowell so much they nearly tripped and fell flat on the floor.
Jolene Joyce remained relatively calm, but she couldn't help but find it odd.
'Could it be that Master Shaw has taken a liking to this girl, Laura?'
Laura Lowell swallowed hard and hurriedly replied, "Master Shaw, that's all just baseless rumor. It's a misunderstanding. I just discussed it with Jolene, and we're holding a press conference tomorrow to clear things up."
'What's gotten into the boss today? He's scaring me to death.'
Ethan Shaw's expression darkened slightly. 'This girl actually wants to distance herself from my brother.'
'Not a chance.'
'There isn't even a door, let alone a window I'd open for her.'
"No need for explanations, and definitely no press conference. What celebrity doesn't have a few romantic scandals? Besides, I think the man in the photos is quite handsome. Why don't you two just play up the 'couple' angle?"
Laura Lowell was completely dumbfounded. 'Play up the couple angle?'
'You have got to be kidding me.'
"Master Shaw, I really have nothing to do with the man in the photos. Besides, he's not in the entertainment industry. Why would he want to play up a couple angle with me?"
'Isn't he just trying to stir up trouble?'
"You've been in the industry for years with a completely clean record. You need to be shipped with someone every now and then. The matter is settled."
Ethan Shaw's tone left no room for argument, settling the matter with a single sentence.
"No, no... Um, Dr. Shaw would never agree to it."
At this point, bringing up Dr. Shaw was Laura Lowell's only option.
Jolene also couldn't figure out what game Ethan Shaw was playing. She had a feeling things weren't as simple as he claimed.
Peach, standing to the side, suddenly shrieked, her jaw nearly hitting the floor.
Jolene frowned at her. "Have you forgotten your manners? Why are you so jumpy?"
"Jolene, under Laura's Weibo post... there's someone claiming to be her mother-in-law."
Mother-in-law?
Her mind a complete mess, Laura Lowell snatched Peach's phone. Her eyes fell on a comment from a user named "Mrs. Miller."
She was suddenly struck by the despair of her entire world collapsing before her eyes.
"To crown your name with his, daughter-in-law. Mom is rooting for you."
That was the comment "Mrs. Miller" had left under Laura Lowell's Weibo post.
Laura Lowell threw the phone back at Peach as if it were a hot potato.
Ethan Shaw leaned over to glance at the screen, a cryptic smile playing on his lips.
'I didn't realize his mother was so savvy. To think she could come up with a line as cheesy as "To crown your name with his"...'
'Looks like she's really going all out for her future daughter-in-law.'
Jolene had also seen the comment, of course. She looked at Ethan Shaw in confusion. "Master Shaw, are you sure you want to cancel tomorrow's press conference?"
"Cancel it."
Ethan Shaw gave a dismissive wave of his hand, confirming his decision on the spot.
Without thinking, Laura Lowell blurted out, "Dr. Shaw... he'd never agree to this."
"You haven't even asked him, so how would you know he won't agree?"
Ethan Shaw watched Laura Lowell with a leisurely air, the smile on his lips deepening.
'Ugh, is there even a need to ask?'
'He's a world-renowned surgeon, busy as hell every day. Where would he find the spare time to play along with this couple act with me?'
'Besides, just look at all the hateful comments people are leaving about him on Weibo. He'd have to be out of his mind to agree.'
"Master Shaw, Dr. Shaw is a very busy man. He doesn't have time to deal with a scandal involving me. Besides, there's no reason for him to be tied to me like this."
Laura Lowell was making one last, desperate attempt.
Just as she said that, the tall, elegant figure of Aiden Shaw walked in.