Chapter 191

“This is the best way to debunk those rumors,” Shermaine thought.

Shermaine finished her milk, stuffed the cup back, and said, “Good night.”

Yet Joshua remained motionless, cup in hand, his gaze still locked on her.

Shermaine drawled lazily, “What, Joshua? Still want to leave more marks on me?”

She’d left a love bite on him, and Joshua made sure to give one right back.

Joshua grinned shamelessly. “I’d love to keep going.” His eyes were ablaze. “What do you say, Sheary? Will you let me?”

She kicked him out without a second thought. Honestly, ever since they made things official, Joshua had shown his true colors–he was so bold and direct about what he wanted from her. If she were some sweet, innocent girl, she’d be no match for a wolf like him.

In the early hours, Marcus realized his scoop had been suppressed online, but he wasn’t worried. He planned to repost it across major online forums, then just wait for Joshua’s men to come knocking.

“They’ll definitely pay me off to kill the story–just like all those trust fund babies and A-listers I’ve caught before. Jackpot!” Marcus thought.

Marcus was feeling smug after finishing his fried rice downstairs, already dreaming of his next big scoop. Just as he was about to head home for some sleep, a van screeched to a halt, the door flew open, and before he could react, he was yanked inside.

In the dead of night, in an abandoned high-rise, Marcus was bound to the edge of a forty-story skyscraper. The icy wind howled past, making his heart pound and his whole body tremble. One glance down revealed nothing but a sheer drop into oblivion.

Instantly, his legs turned to jelly.

Marcus was terrified of heights!

Bradley wasn’t wearing a suit; instead, he exuded a thuggish air. After finishing his cigarette, he finally spoke, “Now you’re scared for your life? Didn’t it cross your mind when you posted that report?”

Marcus’ face went deathly pale; he felt dizzy and sick to his stomach.

Holy shit! How was I supposed to know Joshua could be this brutal? Damn, he must’ve found out about my fear of heights–that’s why he set this up! he wondered.

Bradley slapped him hard across the face. “Those celebrities might be scared of you, but Mr. York sure as hell isn’t. And what the hell is this garbage you reported–infidelity rumors? Mr. York and his wife are rock solid."

“You call yourself a reporter? Just making things up without checking the facts–ever heard of professional ethics, huh?”

Marcus wondered, I mean, who am I kidding? I’m just a bottom-feeding paparazzo–professionalism, my ass. But there’s no way in hell I’d ever dare breathe a word of that in front of these thugs.

No wonder there’s an unwritten rule in the industry that you can report on anyone, but never mess with Joshua–especially not with fake scandals. If you piss him off, he might not kill you, but you’ll wish you were dead.

Bradley sneered, “It’s clear you lack even basic professional integrity.”

Another slap landed across Marcus’ face.

Marcus pleaded desperately. “Please, spare me. I swear I’ll never do it again.”

“Let you go? After you tasted the forbidden fruit and harmed his reputation this way? You won’t get off easy. Even if we spare your life, you’ll wish we hadn’t.”

Marcus was in panic.

Early the next morning, since Shermaine was planning to hike Mount Longty, she skipped her usual morning workout and let herself sleep in. After all, everyone had those lazy days when they just wanted to stay in bed a little longer.

Little did she know, an unexpected visitor had arrived downstairs.

It was Sarah.

Joshua had known since yesterday that his grandaunt had returned from abroad–she’d already visited the York residence. But he never expected her to show up at his doorstep today.

Sarah gazed at her grandnephew with undisguised admiration. He was indeed the most outstanding of all the York family’s descendants over the generations.

Sarah recalled the online reports she’d seen–were they really saying his fiancée had been unfaithful to him?

With Joshua being so outstanding, we absolutely cannot allow some Jean family heiress to tarnish his reputation and make him the subject of public criticism, Sarah thought to herself.

“Joshua, dear, it’s been so many years since I last saw you,” she said warmly. “Your grandfather raised you well–you’ve turned out truly exceptional.”

Joshua began brewing some coffee and said, “Grandpa really did nurture me with great care.”

“Is your father still the same?” Sarah asked gently.

Joshua nodded. Ever since his mother died giving birth to him, his father had shut himself away in his research lab–he hadn’t been home or contacted anyone in the York family for years.