bChapter 81 /b

bAs /bbfor /bthe other bdy /bof the Jean family, she was renowned for her exceptional talents. Yet, for some reason, this so–called brilliance never truly shone as bbrightly /bas people expected.

bNo /bmatter how you looked at her, she was just… ordinary. Honestly, all that hype was way overblown.

On the contrary, Shermaine was like a hidden gem–exquisitely polished, beautiful and talented, though few recognized it. In fact, she might balready /bbbe /bmaking waves in some field.

After all, those rumors are nothing but hearsay. Only the shallow–minded would take them seriously.

Shermaine followed Joshua to Owen’s side. With a graceful,posed smile, she greeted them, “Mr. York, Grandma.”

Owen and Janice beamed with joy upon seeing Shermaine.

“Sheary, you look stunning!” Janice said.

“You look lovely too, Grandma,” Shermaine replied with a smile.

“Sheary, long time no see. I missed you so much!” Owen said warmly.

Shermaine smiled gently. “I’ve missed you too, Mr. York.”

Everyone could see Owen’s fondness for Shermaine. Her position as Joshua’s wife was now indisputably secured.

Owen boomed, “Which young man just said his father was ill and couldn’t be cured after consulting many renowned doctorsb? /bbYou /bthere,e over!”

The gentleman, Johnson Smith, stepped forward from the crowd and said, “It was me, Mr. York.”

“Ah, you’vee to exactly the right person. Sheary can help you,” Owen said proudly.

Johnson offered ba /bslightly nervous smile. “Hello, Shermaine. You and Joshua make a perfect match.”

These words were music to Joshua’s ears.

He had to admit, he and Shermaine really were a perfect match.

Shermaine smiled appreciatively. “Thank you. May I ask what symptoms your father is experiencing?b” /b

Johnson then exined.

Shermaine listened carefully and said, “How about this? Come to Riverswood Vi tomorrow, and we’ll talk.” After the engagement party, she would be moving back in with Joshua.

Johnson agreed at once.

The granddaughter–inw Owen had mentioned was actually Shermaine!

And she actually knew medicine?

“But isn’t she only 19?” someone blurted outb, /bunable to hide their disbelief.

Besides, she just went back to senior year not long ago.

Meanwhile, Wendelyn watched as Shermaine emerged with Joshua, looking every bit the regal princess, bathing bin /bthe crowd’s envious staresb. /bbThe /bbsight /bfilled her with such bitter jealousy it threatened to warp her very psyche.

bThu /b5 Jun

Chapter b81 /b

‘bIf /bShermaine had never returned to the Jean family,‘ Wendelyn thought bitterlyb, /b‘then I would be the one by Joshua’s sidel

Fortunately, Shermaine’s life would end soon after this engagement party.

Wendelyn sneered inwardly, ‘Forget about marrying Joshua, Shermaine. You’re not even worthy of being his fiancée!!

“IfI can’t have him, I’ll make damn sure you never will either,” she vowed darkly.

Wendelyn’s gaze lingered on Shermaine’s lips. Comparing them to the photo Yvonne had sent, she saw that the lipstick on the wine ss matched perfectly. Unable to suppress her malice, she smirked viciously.

Still searching for Leslie, Roy stepped into the ballroom just as his subordinate called to inform him that Leslie had already returned. Scanning the roomb, /bhe spotted Wendelyn, also in a white dress, staring longingly at Joshua and Shermaine.

They’d run into each other a few times before. Thinking she was just distraught, Roy was about to go over andfort her when her face suddenly twisted into a sinister smirk. He froze mid–step.

That smile… Honestly, it was downright creepy. Did she get so heartbroken her face twisted up like that or what?

‘That must be it,’ Roy thought.

“Why else would she be grinning like that?‘

Just then, Wendelyn, together with her parents, headed toward Owen. Realizing he still hadn’t found Leslie, Roy hurried off to continue his search.

The ballroom was packed, with dozens searching for Leslie. Yet somehow, no one could find him.

At that moment, Leslie lurked in the shadows, trying topose himself. ‘I need to get a grip,‘ he thought. But the moment Shermaine appeared with Joshua, his gaze was irresistibly drawn to her.

Gradually, Leslie began feeling unwell–his throat parched, his whole body burning up, his head swimming. The moment his gazended on Joshua, an inexplicable rage surged through him.

Leslie fumed inwardly. ‘Who does he think he isb, /bordering me to give up on Shermaine? He’s just her nominal fiancé. What right does he have to act so

high and mighty?‘

Wendelyn walked over with practiced grace and said sweetly, “Congrattions on your engagement.”

Shermaine smiled faintly and replied, “Thanks.”

Wendelyn looked at Joshua, her lips parting as if she wanted to speak, but in the end, she just dropped her gaze and stayed silent.

To outsiders, it was a ssic case of unrequited love–Wendelyn pining while Joshua stayed indifferent. People couldn’t help but feel sorry for her.

Joshua didn’t spare her a single nce, his mind already preupied with introducing Shermaine to his other family memberster.

Shermaine was growing distracted. ‘Roy’s taking forever,‘ she thought impatiently. She tugged lightly at Joshua’s sleeve. He looked downb, /bhis gold- rimmed sses softening the intensity of his prating eyes. Yet now, they held ba /bsurprisingly gentle look. Thenb, /bwith quiet consideration, he bent his

tall frame toward her.

They really were a perfect match. Even the smallest gestures between them made onlookers lingerb, /bcraving those sweet shipper moments.

The man was still quite tall for her, so Shermaine had to rise on tiptoe. She was about to ask Joshua bto /bsend a few more people to look for Leslie bbecaus /bthe longer it dragged on, the worse it would be for his health.

Suddenly, someone unexpectedly bumped her from behind. She staggered a few steps and pitched forward, losing her bnce.

Joshua instinctively wrapped his arm around her waist, at just the right angle for Shermaine’s rosy lips bto /bnd with startling precision bon /bhis bcheek/b,pletely unnned.

bChapter /bb81 /b

bJoshua/b:

swallowed Involuntarily.

Her lips

felt even softer than when his fingers brushed them before.

Instantly, uproariousughter and thunderous apuse erupted all around, so deafening

31

made Shermaine’s ears

bto /b

me?b‘ /b

Shermaine inwardly groaned, ‘Why do these embarrassing

idents always

have to happen