bChapter /bb561 /b

As for Emma, Ross could handle her on her own. There was no need for Shermaine to step in.

After Shermaine left, Ross wrapped an arm around Danielle, hustled her into the car, and wasted no time getting out of this godforsaken wilderness.

The ce waspletely deserted, so empty that even if it burned to the ground, no one would ever notice.

Back in Basterel, the car rolled up to an opulent mansion, its grand gates opening slowly to let them in. They drove leisurely down the long, winding driveway for several minutes before finally stopping in front of the main house.

Sleek luxury cars lined both sides, gleaming under the lights. Bradley found an open space, parked, and stepped out without a word.

Joshua, however, wasn’t in a hurry. He checked his watch and called Shermaine. “Sheary, is everything settled?”

Shermaine switched her mecha to autopilot mode and replied, “All settled. I’m heading back to Maple Leaf Ville now.”

Upon hearing this, Joshua fell silent for a moment. Then, with a hint of disappointment in his voice, he asked, “Sheary, aren’t youing back to see me?”

He figured that since his sweetheart was back in Basterel, she’d at leaste see him. But no–she just wrapped things up and left without a word.

Shermaine studied his face on the screen. Even in the dim light, he looked ridiculously handsome, though right now, there was a stormy, brooding edge to him. She tilted her head slightly and asked, “Mr. York, are you upset?”

Joshua pouted. “Shouldn’t I be?”

Shermaine teased. “What’s got you so upset?”

“You came back and didn’t even bother to see me,” Joshua said slowly, each word heavy, his throat tightening as he gulped. After a pause, he added, “Sheary, it’s been days since west saw each other. I’ve missed you.”

Shermaine smirked. “Oh, please. We literally FaceTime every day.”

“It’s not the same.” Ever since he got back, he felt strangely ignored.

Shermaine just rolled her eyes. “Mr. York, rx. We’re basically an old married couple by now. Not seeing each other for a week or two is normal. Besides, don’t you have that fancy party tonight? Go handle it. I’m hanging up.”

Joshua pressed his lips, thinking, ‘If Sheary were here, I’d grab her and remind her exactly how much she’s been missed.‘

Outside the car, Bradley waited patiently until Joshua finally stepped out of the car. He had been working for Joshua for years, and even after those two missing years, he knew exactly when his boss was in a mood.

And right now, Joshua was definitely in a sulky mood. It wasn’t obvious to most, but Bradley could read him like a book. He wondered, ‘Wasn’t he on a call with Mrs. York? Did they fight? That’s new.‘

However, the truth was even simpler, and almost funny. The famously stoic,posed Joshua was sulking like a kid, all because his wife didn’te

home to see him.

Inside the mansion, it was a scene of pure decadence–champagne flowed freely, beautiful women drifted among the guests, and sultry music set a heady, flirtatious mood.

Young heirs from Basterel’s elite circles lounged with women draped on either arm, while others sshed around the pool with bikini–d beauties, withughter echoing through the night.

It was a world drenched in luxury and excess, ba /btrue yground of indulgence.

Raymond raised his ss and clinked it againstn’s, shing a slick grin. “So, what do you think? Enjoying the party so far?”

Raymond grinned smugly and said, “I’ve got something even better in store. Since you’re such a big fan of that A–list celebrity who’s all the rage in our country, I invited her over tonight.” As his entourage parted behind him, Michelle stepped into view.

Michelle clearly hadn’te willingly–her expression tight with displeasure. Yet tonight, she was dressed to kill in a sizzling red dress that entuated her curves and left little to the imagination.

Raymond patted Michelle on the shoulder with a sly grin and said, “Make sure Mr. Reagan is thoroughly entertained. If you can get him to sign with Kennedy Corporations, you’ll be well–rewarded.”

For Michelle, this was a disaster she never sawing. Though she was famous, shecked powerful industry connections. When a behemoth like the Kennedy family decided to use her as nothing more than a pawn, she had no way to fight back.

Michelle stood in her spot, refusing to move, until Raymond roughly shoved her forward, sending her stumbling right inton’s arms.

She wasn’t some prude, but standing in front of these men, being treated like a disposable toy, was beyond humiliating. Her pride made it impossible for her to give in.

Men loved the thrill of a challenge. Watching Michelle fight back only maden grin wider. “Stop struggling, sweetheart. Behave nowi, /iand I’ll be gentle

Seething with anger, Michelle swung her hand and ppedn hard across the face. Enraged by the p,n seized her wrist, yanked her hair back, and crushed his lips against hers.

Raymond barely batted an eye at the scene, simply ordering someone to fetch the contract.

‘Better lock in that signature now,‘ he thought coolly. ‘Can’t let him enjoy the girl and then suddenly change his mind afterward–that’d be a whole new headache I don’t need.‘

Michelle had been sprayed with some potent aphrodisiac perfume, andn was already half–feral. All he could think of was surrendering to his most primal urges.

Raymond said with a sly smile, “Mr. Reagan, we’ve got a room ready for you. But before you enjoy some private time with this beauty, how about we get that contract signed first?”

Panting,n demanded, “Give me the pen.”

Raymond wasted no time, quickly handing over a sleek fountain pen. But beforen could touch it, Michelle shoved him away with all her strength and bolted for the door without a backward nce.

Upon seeing this, Raymond barked, “Don’t let her escape. Get her back here!”

The bodyguards immediately went after her. Michelle sprinted as fast as she could, her heart hammering in her chest. But suddenly, she stumbled, crashing to her knees.

Suddenly, a pair of polished leather shoes appeared right in front of her. Michelle looked up, her breath catching in iher /ithroat as shock shed in her eyes. She certainly hadn’t expected to run into Joshua here.

She thought to herself, ‘Wait, wasn’t he supposed to be dead? I guess that was just a rumor after all.‘

Michelle had seen his feature in a business magazine two years ago, and even then, she thought he was absolute perfection. The gold–rimmed sses

09:47 Mon, 21 Jul G bRD/b.

gave him a refined, intellectual air, but beneath it, there was a quiet, smoldering restraint that made him impossibly irresistible.

Time seemed to have skipped right over him. His smooth, chiseled face was wless, his tie perfectly knotted, and every detail about him was immacte. With his hands casually tucked into his pockets, he stood there towering over her, his gaze cool and aloof.

Joshua was looking at her. Meanwhile, she clutched her dress, frozen and stiff in her spot. On the other hand, gasps erupted around them.

“That’s Mr. York!”

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“Wait, wasn’t he supposed to be dead?”

“Damn, so it really was just a rumor.”

When Raymond saw Joshua, he nearly dropped the fountain pen in his hand. A sudden, inexplicable panic gripped him. After all, it was terrifying that after two years, the “dead” Joshua suddenly appeared at his party.

By tomorrow morning, word of Joshua’s return would likely spread like wildfire through the elite circles.

Raymond broke out in a cold sweat. Meanwhile, Joshua didn’t even spare Michelle another nce as he brushed past her and kept walking, leaving her with a pang of disappointment.

Bradley, however, crouched down and offered Michelle a hand. Rising to her feet, she said, “Thank you.”

Bradley wasn’t interested in her–he was simply being a gentleman.

As for Joshua, he would never help her up. He hadn’t before, and he certainly wouldn’t now. After all, a true gentleman remained aloof to all, except his

wife.

Meanwhile, inside her mecha cockpit, Shermaine recalled the obvious displeasure on Joshua’s face before she cut the call. After a quick moment of deliberation, she figured she might as well go back and coax him.

She didn’t think twice. With a swift turn, her mecha reversed course and shot back. At that moment, Joshua strode right up to Raymond.

Raymond forced a shaky smile. “Mr. York, it’s been ages. Where have you been hiding these past two years?”

Joshua replied impassively, “I just spent a couple of years recovering from a minor ident. Anyway, don’t let me interrupt your business talk, Mr. Kennedy. I’m just here to look around.”

‘Look around? Who is he kidding?‘ Raymond thought, knowing perfectly well Joshua was here to put him in his ce.

Joshua gaven a polite nod but didn’t bother with a handshake. Instead, he asked casually, “Mr. Reagan, how’s your father doing these days?”

Joshua gave a faint hum. “That’s good. I’ll drop by and catch up with him sometime.”

He inwardly cursed himself for letting loose tonight. If word got back to his father, he’d be in deep trouble. Luckily, the contract hadn’t been finalized yet -otherwise, he’d be doomed.

Trying to salvage the moment,n forced a smile. “It’s pretty noisy here tonight, Mr. York. Perhaps we can find a quieter ce to discuss the contract renewal another day?”

Joshua said coolly, “My assistant will handle it.”

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Raymond’s face turned ashen. The sure–win deal he had in hand slipped right through his fingers. With Joshua in the room, nobody dared to get too wild

anymore.

The women might have been restless and eager, but with Joshua still alive, it meant Shermaine was too

boldest of them in check.

and that alone was enough to keep even the

After all, a big shot like Shermaine was not someone they could afford to trifle with.

Sensing the shift in the atmosphere,n didn’t stick around. He didn’t even bother exchanging pleasantries with Raymond before turning on his heel and leaving without a backward nce.

Joshua, however, wasn’t in a hurry to leave. Since he was already here, he figured he might as well enjoy a few sses of the good wing–it would’ve been a waste otherwise.

It wasn’t like Shermaine was waiting for him at home, so he’d return to an empty bed anyway.

Raymond could only grit his teeth and roll out his finest vintages, not daring to show the slightest displeasure.

The night dragged on into the wee hours. Joshua eventually put down his ss, still feeling utterly bored. With a curt call to Bradley, he stood up and left without another word.

As Joshua reached the front door, someone suddenly called out, “Mr. York.”

Joshua turned around and saw Michelle step forward before she asked, “Mr. York, would you mind giving me a ride?”

AD