Chapter 161

‘Humph, a stinky rogue in a suit. Let him soak for a while. After all, no matter what illness he has, I can cure it,’ she thought to herself.

Shermaine began to swim toward the shore, her body drenched and uncomfortable. She wrung out the water from her clothes. Although it was cold, fortunately, she had a strong constitution and could withstand it.

Joshua followed her ashore and draped the coat that had been lying on the ground over her shoulders. “I didn’t think this through. I didn’t expect you to jump in after me. Sheary, it won’t happen again.”

Shermaine also realized that she had been too impulsive just now. Morning swims were part of Joshua’s physical exercise routine; he wouldn’t have run into trouble in the river. Indeed, worry led to confusion.

Shermaine had been a bit angry, but seeing the faint tenderness in his eyes, she softened. “Good that you know.”

After being soaked in the cold water, the discomfort and restlessness were suppressed and alleviated. He picked up the bag from the ground and took Shermaine’s hand again. “Let’s go.”

Under the starry sky, the wind rustled the surrounding vegetation. The two walked one after the other, their hands tightly intertwined.

When they returned to the wooden cabin, James had already started a fire to heat up some water.

Today, he had actually instructed others to go to town to purchase some essentials. Now, the shower area they had set up was quite spacious, with a large bathtub.

After Shermaine washed her hair and took a bath, she realized her period had started. Fortunately, she had prepared sanitary pads in advance.

Once her period started, even the most energetic Shermaine would feel half as lively and would need to rest for a night to recover. Moreover, she had spent some time in the cold river today.

She wasn’t particularly uncomfortable, just very sleepy.

Joshua had cooked a stew. It was delicious, with pork ribs and peanuts.

Shermaine had expended a lot of energy today and was extremely hungry. Without even drying her hair, she picked up a plate, ladled some stew, and sat down to eat.

After returning, Joshua changed his clothes but didn’t take a hot bath. Perhaps the restlessness hadn’t completely subsided, as he didn’t even wear a coat.

At that moment, Shermaine’s long, damp hair cascaded down, enhancing her beauty. However, wet hair could easily lead to a cold. Joshua took a towel from nearby and began to dry her hair.

By the time Shermaine had finished eating and her hair was almost dry, she climbed into bed, immediately wrapped herself up tightly, yawned, and prepared to rest.

She still had to visit Bianca tomorrow.

The night was quiet, and only an oil lamp illuminated the wooden cabin.

After Joshua took a hot bath, Shermaine had already curled up and fallen asleep, revealing only her clean face. Her lips were not as red as usual but rather pale.

Joshua had been worried that Shermaine might catch a cold at night. He reached out and felt her forehead, which was cool.

Joshua found a bottle, filled it with hot water, and then placed it into Shermaine’s nest of blankets.

Shermaine wasn’t in a deep sleep. Sensing the added warmth in her nest, she curved her lips, her slightly furrowed brows slowly relaxing, and she thanked Joshua.

“Goodnight, Sheary,” he said.

“Goodnight, Joshua,” she replied.

After Joshua extinguished the oil lamp, he naturally also slept in the bed. Shermaine hadn’t slept in the middle, clearly leaving a spot for him. He spread out the blanket and lay down beside her.

His body temperature was still high, but the distracting thoughts had been completely suppressed, allowing him to sleep soundly next to Shermaine without any distractions.

As the night deepened, the hot water in the bottle cooled down.

Shermaine felt her nest wasn’t warm enough and tossed and turned a couple of times, but she was already in a deep sleep and didn’t wake up.

Joshua had been sleeping well when he suddenly felt Shermaine’s foot slip into his nest. Her foot was icy cold, devoid of any warmth.

Before long, Shermaine shifted closer, her cheek pressing against his arm.

Shermaine was usually a peaceful sleeper, able to maintain one position until dawn, but today was a bit odd; she felt cold.

Sensing the warmth, Shermaine rolled into Joshua’s embrace in a rather possessive manner, her hand resting on his waist.

Joshua held her close. The desire he had been controlling so well began to surge, the heat rising like waves, one after another.

Joshua’s Adam’s apple moved as he pinched Shermaine’s cheek, then, with a resigned air, he gave in and relinquished the bed to her.

When Shermaine woke up, the sky was already bright. Sunlight streamed through the window, and she realized she had taken over the entire bed. A flush of embarrassment crossed her face.

She got up from the bed, but without paying attention to where she was stepping, she was suddenly tripped by something and fell forward.

Shermaine was dazed for a moment before realizing she had landed on Joshua.

Shermaine thought to herself, ‘If I stay calm, he’ll be the one to feel awkward!’ She could tell Joshua had been woken up by her fall.

She licked her lips, hardly able to believe her own crazy move. “Sorry,” she muttered.

Joshua’s voice was hoarse as he shook his head and nuzzled Shermaine’s neck, as if he wanted to take a bite. “It’s okay.”

Shermaine didn’t know what to say. She quietly disentangled herself from Joshua’s embrace and got up.

After a good night’s sleep, she felt refreshed and invigorated.

However, Kingston, who had been tied up and left to sleep in the small kitchen by James the night before, was making a lot of noise, like a mad dog, barking incessantly.

After washing up, Shermaine pushed open the door to the small kitchen. Kingston’s face, which had been scratched by the creature in the tomb and left untreated overnight, had become swollen, pus–filled, and looked particularly disgusting.

As soon as Kingston saw Shermaine, his eyes filled with hatred, and his expression became ferocious. “Shermaine, you bitch, you whore, why don’t you just die?”

Shermaine kicked him without hesitation, making Kingston’s head spin and his vision blur, feeling as if his bones had been broken. “You think you have the ability to kill me?” she retorted.

Kingston was indignant. “If I get another chance, I’ll definitely kill you.”

Shermaine kicked him again. “You couldn’t kill me even in your dreams.”

She calmly retracted her foot. “No wonder Joshua and Roy hang out with each other but not with you. You’re selfish and filthy. How could you even catch his attention?"

“Seeing your plan fail, you even tried to kill Joshua. As he said, you’re overestimating yourself.”

She continued, “I have a small mind, and since you’ve tried to harm me repeatedly, I can’t just let it go. James, give him what I gave you.”

The item was a pill that Shermaine had made while creating the incense the night before, specifically prepared for those who had tried to kill her. 'You like Joshua? I’ll make sure you can’t even have sex the rest of your life,' she thought.

James came in. “Got it, Ms. Shue.”

James took out the pill, pinched Kingston’s mouth open with a look of disgust, and forced the pill down his throat.

To make sure Kingston swallowed it, James poured water down his throat, ensuring he had taken it. After that, James dragged Kingston out and locked him up elsewhere.