Chapter 187

Joshua replied, “Don’t worry. No one will know this hickey is from you.”

Shermaine arched her brow. “And whose fault is that?”

“It’s me,” Joshua admitted.

It was his greed that ended up pissing her off.

Seeing that he was being sensible and there was nothing left to say, Shermaine got in her car and drove off.

Watching Shermaine’s car disappear into the distance, Joshua finally turned and stepped into the black Bentley parked nearby.

Bradley had been waiting dutifully for quite some time.

In the car, Joshua took out his phone, grinning ear to ear, and cheerfully texted his grandpa. [We’re together now!]

His grandpa hadn’t replied yet.

Then Joshua texted Roy and Henry. [We’re officially together now.]

Both Roy and Henry were surprised.

Roy sent the message. [Joshua, so it’s official now?]

Joshua replied: [Isn’t that obvious?]

Jason: [Joshua, you’re getting cocky!]

Henry, ever the tactful one, said, “Congrats. Got a tricky business deal here–mind if I pick your brain?”

Joshua replied: [Come on over. I’m on my way back to the office now.]

Henry sent: [Got it!]

Owen didn’t see the message until half an hour later. When he finally did, he couldn’t stop grinning. ‘My grandson finally got the girl! Maybe I’ll have two grandkids in three years–wouldn’t that be wonderful!’ he thought, feeling absolutely delighted.

Owen replied: [Well done! Keep it up–and don’t forget to make it official. Go get that marriage certificate!]

Joshua had grown up surrounded by praise, but this time, the compliment brought him a joy beyond words.

Upon arriving at the company, Joshua returned to his office, which had a private lounge. Standing before the mirror, he traced the hickey on his neck, and his mind instantly drifted back to last night.

With Shermaine lying quietly against him, unmoving, he found himself wanting her even more.

Somehow, Shermaine–even in such a situation–managed to fall sound asleep, draped over him with the serenity of a sunbathing cat.

As her faint fragrance drifted over him, the fire within only burned hotter. Left with no choice, he carefully pulled back the blanket, gently lifted her onto the bed, and then retreated to the bathroom.

Joshua lowered his eyes, found a high-collared jacket to put on, and only then went to meet his guest.

Meanwhile, Shermaine had arrived at the hotel to pick up Trance.

Though nursing a broken heart, Trance wasn’t about to waste his first trip to Wallington without seeing the sights.

After tidying himself up, Trance went out to have fun with Shermaine.

Before long, he found himself utterly captivated by the local cuisine.

A luxury sedan pulled up at the York residence, and out stepped an elegantly dressed elderly lady.

She wore pearl earrings and an emerald ring on her finger. Her hair was neatly pulled up, and her whole look was immaculate–she looked every bit the Ustranasian dowager.

She was Owen’s younger sister, Sarah. However, after her second marriage took her abroad, she never returned to the York family, nor had she had any contact with them since.

In the York family, men and women alike were fiercely loyal to their partners.

However, back then, Sarah stubbornly divorced her first husband to marry abroad, causing such a rift with the family that they practically disowned her. She was the sole black sheep who broke with family tradition.

Decades had passed since Sarah last set foot in the York residence, yet everything remained achingly familiar. She stepped up to the wrought-iron gate and pressed the doorbell.

The butler’s voice came through immediately, asking formally, “Who may I say is calling?”

The elderly lady announced, “Sarah York.”

The butler, Logan, couldn’t believe his ears when he heard the name. The young mistress who had nearly severed ties with Owen decades ago had actually returned.

Though Owen had never mentioned her, considering her standing in the family, he instructed the guards to open the gate and let her in.