Chapter 176

“Absolutely not,” Shermaine delivered the final blow.

‘To tear Joshua into a thousand pieces? Impossible. To forcibly take her back to Ustrana? Even more impossible—unless she goes willingly,’ Trance thought.

Then she added, “Trance, just leave him alone.”

And just like that, Trance’s heart was ground to glittering dust again.

Shermaine was defending her fiancé.

Trance thought, ‘Like hell I’ll let this go! I’ve got to see what kind of guy thinks he can be Sheary’s fiancé. No way am I backing down—I’ll make him back off, and if I can, I’ll get that so-called engagement called off, too.’

Trance was already imagining all the ways he could outshine Shermaine’s fiancé when they met. He’d make sure the guy knew he was the perfect match for Shermaine—no one else.

Absolutely furious, his handsome face in a deep scowl, he slumped into the car and yanked the seatbelt across his chest with a huff.

Shermaine pressed her lips together, a slight sense of helplessness coming over her.

Before leaving Silvero Center, Shermaine first took Trance back to his hotel to retrieve the painting Oliver had given her. Only after collecting the artwork did they return to the Jean residence.

Shermaine took nearly an hour to return after picking up Trance.

Night fell. The moonlight was pale, the breeze soft.

The car pulled up before the villa.

As Shermaine stepped out of the car, she saw Joshua standing by the doorway, cigarette in hand and phone to his ear.

Under the night sky, his tall, lean frame in a black shirt, one hand casually tucked in his pocket, was partly veiled in shadow—yet he still exuded a breathtaking elegance.

He was dangerously attractive, devilishly handsome and refined.

And he looked exceptionally sexy.

Shermaine thought, ‘He looks incredible in that black shirt.’

Ever since she gave Joshua that watch, he seemed to have taken a real shine to it—never wearing any other since.

Joshua had long since caught the distant roar of an approaching engine. The instant he saw Shermaine emerge from the car, he ended his call and strode toward her.

His eyes blazed as he restrained the barely-leashed longing within. He murmured, “Sheary, you’re back.”

His voice, though soft, lingered with deep tenderness.

For a brief moment, Shermaine found herself captivated by his voice again. She gave a slight nod and asked softly, “When did you arrive?”

“I arrived right after you left,” Joshua said casually. “A pity I couldn’t accompany you to pick up your friend myself.”

Shermaine felt a bit dazed as she looked up into Joshua’s profound eyes. She thought, ‘Is that a tang of jealousy I’m sensing from him?’

‘That vibe was radiating from him.’

She couldn’t help but chuckle.

Joshua smoothly changed the subject, his voice laced with gentle concern. “It’s quite chilly out. You should’ve put on another layer before stepping outside.”

Shermaine shook her head. “Not cold,” she insisted. The sun had kept her warm during the day, but now that night had fallen, the chill was unmistakable.

“Give me your hand,” Joshua said.

Without hesitation, Shermaine slipped her hand into his.

Joshua took her hand in his, wrapping it tightly in his own.

‘Cold,’ Joshua thought.

Joshua enveloped her hand in his, his grip firm and unyielding.

Trance had dozed off in the car. After Shermaine woke him, he quickly fixed his appearance. But the moment he stepped out, he saw a man holding Shermaine’s hand. ‘I’ll chop that bastard’s hand off!’ the thought flashing through his mind.

Trance shot a dark, hostile glare at the man in the black shirt standing before him.

‘Fine,’ he thought, ‘I’ll admit it—this guy’s looks and build are on par with mine. But so what? I’ve never relied on my appearance. What really matters is my own strength and ability.’

“Sheary!” Trance called out plaintively.

‘Damn it!’ Trance thought, his blood boiling with rage.

‘Sheary, can’t you just not let that man hold your hand? I haven’t even had the chance to do that myself…’ Trance thought bitterly, jealousy burning in his heart.

“Is he your fiancé?” he asked.

Shermaine turned to look at Trance, whose pitiful expression made it seem as if she’d just abandoned him. The corner of her mouth twitched slightly.

Joshua added, his voice deceptively light, “Sheary, aren’t you going to introduce us?”

Upstairs by the window, Summer and the others covered their mouths to stifle giggles as they watched the scene unfold below.

This was the legendary face-off between the fiancée and the love rival.

Amid the palpable tension between the two men, Shermaine remained completely unfazed.

“Joshua, my fiancé,” Shermaine said calmly, gesturing between them. “And Trance, a friend.”

The difference was striking.

Trance gritted his teeth in annoyance.

He stepped forward and extended his hand. With a forced smile and a challenging tone, he said, “Hello, Joshua.”

Joshua was still holding Shermaine’s hand with his left when Trance stepped forward challengingly. Without letting go, he extended his right hand in a measured response, his voice cool and composed. “Hello, Trance.”

Shermaine watched as their hands clasped. Trance suddenly tightened his grip, and Joshua immediately countered. The veins on the backs of their hands bulged as they engaged in a silent battle of strength.

After a tense standoff, they finally released their grips simultaneously.

Trance withdrew his hand, his fingers giving an almost imperceptible twitch.

Trance thought, ‘Bloody hell! This guy’s got some serious strength!’

Joshua withdrew his hand with deliberate grace, slipping it into his pocket. With cool politeness, he said, “Welcome to Wallington.”

Trance’s face was stormy, but in the blink of an eye, he flashed a wide, toothy grin. “Thanks,” he said, and just as quickly, the smile vanished as he turned his attention to Shermaine. “Sheary, I haven’t had a drop since landing. I’m parched—could I have some juice?”

“Come with me,” Shermaine said, gently slipping her hand free from Joshua’s grasp and heading inside first. After all, Trance had come from afar—as their guest, she couldn’t very well neglect him.

“What kind of juice would you like?”

“You know,” Trance said.

“Orange juice?” Shermaine asked.

“Yeah,” Trance murmured.

Joshua watched as Shermaine walked ahead, with Trance trailing after her like a devoted shadow, his eyes lowered—dark and unreadable.

He stared at his own hand, his Adam’s apple bobbing as a hollow ache settled in his chest. After a pause, he let his hand fall and quietly followed behind them.

He was convinced Shermaine held some affection for him, so all this time, he had approached her with an air of certain victory.

Yet her neither refusing nor drawing closer suddenly made his confidence waver.

Instead, that sense of insecurity only grew stronger.

After all, it was just a passing fondness. Nothing more.

It was not like Shermaine ever said she liked him or anything.

But then again, he had no one to blame but himself.

He accepted it.

But there was no way he’d ever hand Shermaine over to someone else.

Joshua thought, ‘Shermaine is mine—mine alone.’

Meanwhile, inside the house, Roy and Henry were also there.

Lily also hurried over from work.

All of Shermaine’s dinner guests were now there.

The moment Shermaine entered, everyone noticed the strikingly handsome foreigner by her side—Trance.

Trance, the undisputed king of soccer, commands such popularity that roughly 80% of football fans—men and women alike—are his devoted followers.

One of the friends gasped, “Holy shit! Is that really Trance? So the one who confessed to Shermaine is actually our soccer legend—not just some namesake!”

This instantly sparked a wave of excited chatter.

Roy and Henry exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions darkening.

They knew Joshua had been waiting outside for Shermaine. But now, standing beside her wasn’t Joshua—it was Trance. Could it be Joshua was actually losing to Trance?

Just as they were still puzzled, Joshua walked in from outside. The man who was always invincible and a master strategist now looked oddly subdued—a little forlorn—amid all the excited chatter.