Chapter 5

Wendelyn’s face went pale as she stood there like a withering leaf about to fall.

Furious, Ruth exploded. “If you don’t want to give that up, fine. But why do you have to tear your sister down like that?”

“Because I can’t stand her, obviously,” Shermaine smiled sweetly, but her words cut sharp. “She’s petty, but her ambitions are huge. It wasn’t that Shermaine thought too highly of herself; Wendelyn was just rotten underneath that sweet girl act. She had no morals and a mean streak, the kind of lake sweetheart who played innocent while scheming behind everyone’s back.”

“And for the record, I only have a brother. No sister,” Shermaine said. She was beautiful in a way that burned—like a rose in full bloom, bold and brazen, with thorns sharp enough to draw blood.

Ruth’s eyes sparked with fury. She thought, ‘Why did this brat have to come back after all these years?’ Her chest heaved, anger choking her. She raised her hand.

Shermaine pondered, ‘She wanna hit me again?’ She crossed one leg over the other, her eyes steady, her smile still lingering. Without a hint of fear, her gaze was bright and piercing. It made Ruth’s heart skip without reason.

Ruth thought, ‘Shermaine’s just some nobody who grew up in some backwater village with no education and no class. How the hell does she get that attitude, that presence?’

But her raised hand didn’t get the chance to fall. Jameson’s voice boomed like thunder. “Ruth, what do you think you’re doing?”

Ruth looked up and saw Jameson standing there, his brows furrowed, his expression stormy. What really made her panic, though, was the man standing beside him—elegant and composed—Joshua.

Joshua didn’t do a thing, but with just one look, the pressure came down like a wave. Ruth could barely breathe.

She stiffened, lowering her hand, forcing a calm tone. “What could I possibly be doing?”

Then, as if nothing had happened, Ruth greeted Joshua politely, “Mr. York, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Jameson shot Ruth an irritated glare, then turned to the maid and ordered her to grind their best coffee beans and brew a fresh pot.

“Likewise, Mrs. Jean,” Joshua said coolly.

Ruth offered, “Please, have a seat.”

Joshua walked over.

Wendelyn’s eyes lit up. The moment she saw Joshua, her affection for him filled her gaze with soft longing. But she quickly suppressed it, not daring to look at him again.

Joshua’s presence was magnetic. Just one glance at him made others feel inferior.

He didn’t even glance at Wendelyn. Instead, he went straight to sit next to Shermaine.

Joshua was polished and poised. Meanwhile, Shermaine was stunning and fierce. People had expected their temperaments to clash, but the two sitting together somehow looked effortlessly perfect like they were meant to be.

A flash of disappointment crossed Wendelyn’s eyes.

Joshua asked Shermaine, “Did you sleep well last night?”

Shermaine smiled, “Not bad.”

Wendelyn’s fate turned even paler. Her hands clenched tight, her nails digging deep into her palms.

The rich aroma of coffee filled the room. Jameson handed a cup to Joshua. “Joshua, when do you plan to have the wedding with Sharmaine?"

“The elders are already picking a date,” Joshua replied.

Jameson thought, ‘That means it’s happening soon!’

He was just about to ask more about the wedding when Ruth cut in, “Mr. York, I don’t think Shermaine is a good match for you. Maybe it’s too early to talk about marriage.”

“What nonsense are you talking about?” Jameson was pissed at Ruth. If she ruined this marriage, it would be a total loss for the Jean family.

“Oh?” Joshua looked at Ruth, waiting to see what other ridiculous things she was about to say.

Ruth spoke slowly and deliberately, “Over the past few years, we failed to raise her properly, and now she’s got problems all over. If she marries into your family, I’m afraid she’ll only embarrass the Yorks."

Then she paused and added, "I truly believe Wendy would be a better catch for you. She’s well-mannered, considerate, and knows her place. She’s outstanding—so much better than Shermaine.”

Ruth said with pride, “Wendy, raise your head and let Joshua get a good look at you.”

Wendelyn’s heart was pounding like crazy. She slowly looked up, her voice shy and delicate. “Mr. York.”

Her tone was soft and sweet, dripping with that feminine charm. But her palms were already slick with nervous sweat.

Bradley, standing off to the side, wanted to roll his eyes. He thought, ‘Mrs. Jean really doesn’t even try to hide her favoritism. She tears Ms. Shue down just to build Ms. Jean up like Ms. Shue doesn’t even exist, as if Ms. Shue chose to be separated from the Jean family and grow up without them. The one who was originally engaged to Mr. York was the Jean family’s actual heiress by blood. Besides, Ms. Shue doesn’t even look like someone who grew up in some backwater village. Just because of a little bias, they’re acting like she’s good for nothing.’

Joshua took a sip of coffee with a smile sharp enough to cut. “Since when did the York family’s standards drop this low? Mrs. Jean, you really think you can throw just anyone at me?”

Wendelyn froze, her expression turning stiff and awkward. That one line from him crushed her dignity and ground it straight into the dirt.

As the adopted daughter of Jameson and Ruth, Wendelyn had grown up pampered, showered with praise, and idolized by the boys around her. She couldn’t understand how, in Joshua’s eyes, she meant absolutely nothing.

Wendelyn thought, ‘If I’m nothing, then what the hell is Shermaine? What makes her so much better than me?’

Bradley pondered, ‘Mr. York’s such a badass.’

Ruth, barely holding back her anger, stepped in for Wendelyn. “Mr. York, even if Wendy’s not your type, that’s no reason to humiliate her like this.”

Joshua smiled, “Mrs. Jean, compared to what you just said about Shermaine, I’m being pretty polite.”

Ruth froze, like she’d just swallowed a bug by accident.

Shermaine gave a light smile and thought, ‘Mr. York’s got such a sharp tongue!’

Jameson looked at Ruth and Wendelyn coldly and then turned toward Joshua. “Mr. York, please forgive my wife and adopted daughter for their performance. If we’re going to discuss the wedding between you and Shermaine, let’s take it upstairs to the study.”

Joshua gave a nod, then looked over at Shermaine. “Are you coming with me?”

“You go,” Shermaine replied, sounding indifferent.

Back in the living room, Shermaine poured herself a cup of coffee. The beans were top-notch. The taste was smooth and fragrant, leaving a clean frankness on the tongue.

She drank a few sips, then stood up, planning to go upstairs. She needed to grab her phone. Once Joshua was gone, she wanted to head out for a walk.

Ruth had just been publicly embarrassed and sat in silence, glaring at Shermaine. When she saw Shermaine get up, Ruth asked, “Where are you going?”

“To my room,” Shermaine said.

“Don’t bother. We have guests coming soon,” Ruth replied.

Wendelyn was staring at Shermaine too, her expression composed but sharp-edged.

Shermaine thought, ‘Guests? What’s that got to do with me? I don’t care. Let them stare at me all they want—not like they’ll find anything.’

Just then, the housekeeper stepped forward and reminded them, “Mrs. Jean, the ladies you invited have arrived at the front door.”

“Got it,” Ruth replied.

Moments later, a group of well-dressed socialites walked in, each one decked out in designer glam from head to toe.

Ruth’s expression switched in an instant. A graceful, practiced smile bloomed across her features. “Mrs. Sutton, Mrs. Marshall, Mrs. Burton, so glad you could make it.”

Wendelyn stood up alongside her and greeted them with a soft, elegant smile.

Shermaine didn’t move. All eyes from the new arrivals landed right on her.

She glanced up and realized she’d seen these women at the party at the hotel last night. They’d praised her beauty to her face, then trashed her behind her back.

Shermaine hadn’t forgotten how they’d called her a “cheap slut” the moment she’d turned away.

“Shermaine,” Ruth snapped, “don’t be so rude.”

Shermaine kept her smile. “Mrs. Sutton, Mrs. Marshall, Mrs. Burton. Nice to see you.”

The three ladies nodded at her coolly.

Ruth’s expression finally eased. “Peyton, show our guests to the garden.” Then she turned to Wendelyn and Shermaine. “You two, come with me.”

“I’m not going,” Shermaine said flatly.

“Don’t you dare.” Ruth’s face shifted again.

Shermaine gave her a half-smile, thinking, ‘Whatever. She’s still technically my mother, right?’ So she caved. “Fine. I’ll give you this one.”

Furious, Ruth nearly choked on her own breath.

The backyard was exactly what one would expect from old money—landscaped to perfection, with a shimmering pool glinting under the sun. These women had nothing to talk about except designer clothes and handbags, lipsticks and perfumes, and outrageously expensive jewelry.

Shermaine yawned, bored out of her mind. Her neckline dipped just enough to reveal the beautiful curve of her throat.

Just then, some new people arrived. They were there to give everyone a massage.

Shermaine wasn’t feeling it. She didn’t have the patience, and if she’d kissed anyone, it was Beth Berg with Joshua. She was about to turn around and leave when Ruth caught her.

“Trying to sneak off again?” Ruth asked.

“I’ll pass on the massage,” Shermaine said. “Not interested.”

“Their technique’s excellent. Sit down and let yourself unwind a little,” Ruth insisted.

Shermaine was instantly speechless. She genuinely had no interest in listening to people who didn’t actually care about her.

Just then, an esthetician in uniform said, “Ms. Shue, please lie down.”

She was at least polite, and Shermaine thought for a moment. Not wanting to make things hard for the esthetician, Shermaine gave in and lay down.

The esthetician washed her hands and applied some essential oil, which gave off a light, pleasant scent.

At first, the massage felt pretty good. Shermaine was actually enjoying it. But then the esthetician started pressing harder and harder, and some spots hurt like hell.

Shermaine told her to ease up. The esthetician agreed, but her hands stayed just as rough.

After a while, the pain was too much. Shermaine opened her eyes, irritation flashing in her gaze. She couldn’t take it anymore and gave the esthetician a shove.

Shermaine didn’t even push that hard, but the esthetician stumbled backward several steps, and with a splash, fell straight into the pool.

Chapter 6