Chapter 345
Ross leaned in to kiss Danielle. Danielle blocked him with a hand. “No. Your injuries aren’t healed yet.” Ross insisted, “I can manage.” “No, you can’t,” she said firmly. Kissing took effort. “Ross, you’ve got to listen to your girlfriend.”
Frustrated, Ross flopped back onto the bed. The heat inside him faded slowly. Injured and weakened, he was at her mercy, but once he recovered, he wouldn’t let Danielle escape so easily.
Just as Dustin predicted, Shermaine’s performance at the conference stunned Wallington. The world now knew her as Professor Jean, the prodigious scholar. That single revelation sent shockwaves through academia.
In Ustrana, Shermaine had a media interview scheduled for 3 p.m., set to wrap by 5 p.m. The rest of the evening was Joshua’s. They could wander the city freely. Joshua already knew Kylie—the same person who had tried to kill Shermaine at Bastere University—was targeting her. Kylie dared harm the person he cherished most.
The interview took place at Math Weekly’s headquarters. Joshua walked Shermaine to the entrance, draped a scarf around her shoulders, and kissed her forehead. “Call me when you’re done. I’ll pick you up.”
Once she disappeared inside, he pulled out his phone and dialed. “I’m in Ustrana. We need to talk.”
Oblivious to her impending doom, Kylie lay in a hospital bed, her injuries fueling a volatile temper. Defeat at Shermaine’s hands had left her brooding and hollow, still struggling to process the blow. Klaus had already been disposed of by Molly. The organization would no longer tolerate his failures. Kylie, however, had family connections to thank for her survival.
Sarah remained unaware of Kylie’s double life as an assassin, the beloved granddaughter secretly steeped in blood and crime.
“Kylie, no more reckless moves after this,” Kylie’s eldest brother, Clayton Bynes, warned. “Tomorrow, you’re leaving for Granatano to recuperate.” Kylie rolled her eyes, clearly annoyed. “Yeah, yeah. Get out.”
Before leaving, Clayton turned to the bodyguards. “Watch her.” “Understood, Mr. Bynes,” they replied.
That night in Loang, Joshua stood waiting in a long black trench coat. The interview had already ended. As Shermaine stepped out of the building, she spotted him by the roadside, his silhouette striking against the night.
After saying goodbye to the professor, Shermaine walked up to him. “Let’s go get dinner, Joshua.” They got into the car, and Joshua signaled the driver to move.
Their destination was an upscale restaurant on the 25th floor, offering a breathtaking view of Loang’s skyline. Ustrana was a romantic country. Couples were hugging, kissing, lost in their own little world.
The steak was exquisite, and the wine was top-tier. The only flaw was that Shermaine wasn’t dressed for the occasion. But the restaurant either had no strict dress code or had simply made an exception for them.
Shermaine enjoyed the meal thoroughly. When they stepped out, Joshua suggested a walk to help them digest. They wandered into a luxury boutique, where Shermaine picked out clothes for Joshua.
After paying, she realized Joshua wasn’t in the store anymore. He had taken a call earlier and stepped outside. She found him by the roadside, leaning against a silver sports car, cigarette in hand, deep in conversation.
The night air had turned chilly. Shermaine, shopping bags in hand, spotted a nearby café and decided to grab a coffee.
The moment she stepped inside, a man grabbed her wrist. His voice dripped with lazy amusement. “Ms. Woods, stop clinging to me. My girl might get jealous.”
Shermaine turned to see a handsome face smirking down at her. He said in Wallingtonian, “Please just play along.”
Expressionless, Shermaine pried his fingers off her wrist and said to the sweet-faced girl beside the man, “I don’t know him.”
The man was Bruce. He frowned, clearly not expecting rejection. His gaze flicked to the ring on her finger, and understanding dawned. “My apologies!”
Shermaine smiled faintly, shaking her head, “No harm done.” Then, she walked to the counter to order her coffee.
The sweet girl, Charlotte Woods, had watched the whole exchange. Bruce had dragged a stranger into his act just to push her away, only for the woman to refuse outright. Charlotte’s face twisted in anger, and she immediately launched into a scene.
Joshua finished his conversation with the man in the car. “My wife is waiting. Handle the matter. Call me if there’s an issue.”
Shermaine had already gotten her coffee. Joshua, aware she had stepped into the café next door, headed over. As he pushed open the door, a man walked out. It was Bruce.
Their eyes met. Bruce noticed the ring on Joshua’s finger, an exact match to the woman inside. He thought, ‘This is her husband? Not bad.’
Joshua motioned for him to step aside. Once Bruce moved, Joshua entered the café, his hand settling possessively on the small of Shermaine’s back.
Shermaine held two cups of coffee. Joshua took the shopping bags from her. “Sheary, did that man just hit on you?”
Shermaine hadn’t expected him to notice while handling business. “He tried using me as a shield to ditch another woman. I refused.”
Joshua nodded, ruffling her hair. “Good girl.”
Shermaine chuckled, “He apologized once he saw my ring.” “He’s got manners.” Joshua nodded.
Shermaine handed him a cup of coffee. “But someone is still tense.” Teasing, she added, “Joshua, are you that worried I’ll run off with another man?”