Chapter 125

Henry figured Shermaine’s words must have made Kingston see red. Unwilling to be outdone, Kingston immediately summoned his assistant for a check.

With his uninjured right hand, he wrote out a check, signed it, and handed it to Shermaine. “A bet’s a bet. I won’t welsh on this debt,” he said.

Shermaine took the check, her eyes crinkling with delight. She said to Kingston, “If you ever feel like gambling again, I’m game anytime.”

Kingston’s lips twitched with suppressed anger. He shot Joshua a glance, words on the tip of his tongue, but in the end, he turned on his heel and walked away without saying a word.

Henry watched the scene. At least Kingston knew when to quit and save his dignity.

Once the two of them limped off, the place finally felt peaceful again.

Shermaine knew this prize belonged to both of them. She said generously, “Let’s split it fifty-fifty.”

Joshua refused, “I don’t need the money. Keep it.”

“We won this together. How could I possibly take it all for myself?” she asked.

Joshua insisted, “I’m the one refusing it.”

Half of the prize was not exactly small change, but not a fortune either. Still, Joshua turned it down. Anyway, he never lacked for anything. Shermaine pursed her lips. “Fine. If you ever change your mind, just let me know. I’ll give it to you.”

Joshua thought she’d at least ask if there was something he wanted. He asked teasingly, “Why didn’t you ask me what I want?”

At that, Shermaine arched a brow. “You actually want something?”

Not something, actually. It was someone.

“Not at the moment,” Joshua spoke after thinking for a while. “But if something comes to mind… May I claim it from you?”

It seemed like a pretty sweet deal. Without a second thought, Shermaine said, “Deal.”

Joshua smiled knowingly.

Henry silently watched the lovebirds. Then, he spotted Roy inching over from another area. Roy was moving at a glacial pace on his skis, with an instructor hovering nervously behind him, clearly terrified this klutz might wipe out and end up brain-damaged.

Roy, thrilled to be almost at Shermaine’s side, waved his ski poles excitedly and called out, “Milady, I’m coming!”

Before the instructor could catch him, Roy had already tumbled right to Shermaine’s feet.

Roy had gotten so used to falling that he barely noticed. Spitting out the snow, he looked up and called out cheerfully, “Milady! Joshua! Henry! I made it!” He scrambled to his feet, beaming with pride. “I did it. I finally learned how to ski!”

Henry mocked mercilessly, “Why so slow? You totally missed the show.”

Roy asked, “Huh? What show?”

Henry grinned, “You missed it just five minutes ago. Sheary and Joshua teamed up for a ski race and won a lot of money from Kingston.”

Roy was furious. “Why the hell didn’t you tell me? If I’d known, I could’ve come to watch the fun and seen Milady’s barless moves.”

“Didn’t I do you a favor by letting you focus on skiing?” Henry said with a grin.

Roy retorted, “Can’t I watch it first and then learn skiing?"

Henry shrugged, stopped teasing him, and tossed his phone over. “See? I got the whole thing on video. Take a look,” he said.

“Alright, you’re actually kinda cool, Henry,” Roy brightened up.

Roy grabbed Henry’s phone and started watching the video. He had to admit that Shermaine looked absolutely badass on skis.

When he saw her nail that mid-air landing, he got all fired up and shouted, “Milady, I wanna be just like you! That move was insane. I gotta learn it!”

“Master the basics first,” Shermaine said with a smile. “I’ll teach you when you’re ready.”

“Got it, Milady!”

Joshua cast him a brief glance before smoothly changing the subject. “How about we check out the summit? The view up there is breathtaking today.”

“Let’s go,” Shermaine nodded.

Just as Roy was about to follow along like an eager puppy, Joshua preemptively instructed, “Henry, you stay here and teach him how to ski.”

“Got it,” Henry said, deciding to play along.

Roy was speechless. What he needed right now wasn’t Henry’s ski lesson.

The sun blazed over the snow-capped mountains.

Joshua knew that Shermaine wanted to take the cable car up to mid-mountain. Using their VIP access, they bypassed the queue and boarded straight away.

The air was thin at this altitude, but it posed no problem for Shermaine and Joshua. They didn’t need any extra oxygen. The snowy landscape was breathtaking, and a crisp winter breeze swept through. Under the sun, the chill felt refreshing rather than cold.

The mid-mountain area was packed with crowds, most snapping photos.

Shermaine bought two bottles of mineral water from a small kiosk. When she snapped back to reality, she saw Joshua standing nearby, encircled by several women who seemed fascinated but were too intimidated to get any closer.

Joshua could read their intentions from their expressions, yet he remained calm and utterly indifferent. Sensing her gaze, he looked up, his eyes meeting hers for a moment before he strode purposefully toward her.

His gaze held hers, hypnotic and with dangerous allure.

Noticing Shermaine holding two water bottles, Joshua casually took one from her, twisted the cap open, then exchanged it for the other. Glancing at her, he remarked, “Your hat’s crooked.”

Before Shermaine could react, Joshua leaned in and gently straightened her hat.

If Joshua hadn’t made it clear he’d never fall for her, she’d almost think he was into her.