Chapter 7

Shermaine’s waist was impossibly small, her skin soft to the touch.

With his fiancée clearly needing help, Joshua wasn’t about to just stand there and do nothing.

Off to the side, the esthetician had gone completely pale. She hadn’t expected Shermaine to suddenly faint like that. A sinking feeling crept into her chest—something told her she was about to pay a steep price.

She was already regretting everything. She should’ve never gotten involved in this kind of high-society mess for some quick cash. But now, there was no undoing it.

Jameson stepped forward, his tone heavy. “What did you do to my daughter?”

Shermaine had faked the whole fainting act. She stayed limp in Joshua’s arms, thinking, “If they love putting on a show, I’ll play right along.”

As her father, Jameson had barely seen Shermaine since she returned to the Jean family. He never showed concern, never checked in.

After what happened last night, he’d probably only found out afterward and sent someone to check on her for the sake of the Jean family’s reputation.

Jameson had probably learned last night that Shermaine was taken from the hospital by Joshua. He seized the moment to bring up their engagement, only then starting to pay attention to her. Otherwise, Joshua wouldn’t be here today.

Shermaine thought, “In my father’s eyes, it’s all about profit. In my mother’s, it’s all about their adopted daughter!”

Her scent drifted over in waves. Joshua stayed calm and composed as he pulled out his phone and called Bradley, who was waiting outside. “Bring a doctor,” Joshua ordered.

The esthetician paled even further after being called out. Her lips trembled. “Mr. Jean, I–I really didn’t do anything. Mr. and Mrs. Jean, I had no reason to hurt Ms. Shue.”

She continued, “I didn’t know she was this sensitive. I didn’t think a little more pressure would be too much for her.” Her tone didn’t waver much, but her eyes darted around, avoiding every gaze.

Joshua looked down at her, studying her closely. That deep, unreadable gaze pinned the esthetician in place, and a wave of fear surged through her. Bit by bit, the words died in her throat.

Ruth stayed silent. Having Shermaine confront her like that in front of everyone sent a chill down her spine. Ruth was finally starting to realize Shermaine wasn’t someone she could handle with a few petty tricks. She’d acted too rashly.

Besides, Ruth couldn’t afford to let others think she was really being too harsh or biased against her own daughter.

The three socialites standing nearby saw how firmly Joshua was protecting Shermaine, and immediately switched sides, falling over themselves to chime in, trying to curry favor.

Sadie commented, “Mr. York, Shermaine said it hurt when she was getting the massage.”

Lottie jumped in. “Yes, that’s right.”

Maria added, “She even told the esthetician to go easy on her.”

Sadie nodded. “Shermaine must’ve really been in pain. That’s probably why she pushed the esthetician away. Then the esthetician lost her balance herself and fell in, and now she’s trying to twist the whole thing.”

Lottie snorted, “I’ve seen people like this before. It’s a scam. She’s obviously trying to squeeze out some money for medical bills.”

The accusations came one after another, and the esthetician’s face turned ghostly pale. She knew she was done for.

Joshua looked down at her. “Do you have anything to say for yourself?”

“I didn’t do that. I didn’t mean to…” the esthetician mumbled. Then she started begging, “I swear I didn’t do it on purpose. Mr. and Mrs. Jean, please mercy.”

Jameson gave a cold snort. “If anything happens to my daughter, can you take responsibility for that?”

Ruth clenched her teeth and looked away, ignoring the esthetician’s cries for help. If Ruth stepped in now, she’d only confirm everything Shermaine said.

It would prove the whole thing was Ruth’s setup. And if that got out, she wouldn’t be able to clean up the mess.

Wendelyn walked over with a clean set of clothes in hand. The moment she saw the scene, something felt off, and her grip tightened.

The esthetician walked up to Ruth, tears streaming down her face. “Ms. Jean, I swear I didn’t mean to hurt Ms. Shue, I didn’t know she was that fragile. I only pressed a few times and she just fainted.”

Wendelyn’s expression stiffened for a second before she composed herself. “What happened to Shermaine?”

Jameson replied, “This esthetician was too rough and made Shermaine uncomfortable. She fainted.”

“I’m sorry, I swear I didn’t mean it,” the esthetician sobbed. “Please, I’m begging you, just let this go. I’ve got kids to feed and parents to take care of! I really can’t afford to lose this job.”

Wendelyn thought for a moment and then spoke up on her behalf, “Dad, maybe we should let it go. She’s just trying to make a living. It probably wasn’t about her skills. Maybe Shermaine’s just not physically suited for massages.”

With Wendelyn stepping in, Jameson had to give her some courtesy. He couldn’t outright shut her down, but it clearly put him in a tough spot.

Wendelyn kept going. “And Shermaine hasn’t been back for long. She’s naturally a little sensitive, so her emotions can be a bit unpredictable. If we wrongly accuse her, that won’t be right. No matter how much power or money we have, we shouldn’t abuse it.”

The implication was sharp—she was suggesting Shermaine hadn’t grown up with wealth, wasn’t used to this kind of luxury treatment, and was thus taking her bad mood out on the esthetician.

The esthetician nodded desperately while Jameson looked torn.

Joshua finally spoke, “So easily swayed by others—looks like your precious adopted daughter isn’t much after all. I know exactly what kind of person my fiancée is. She wouldn’t accuse someone without reason.”

With just a few words, he shattered any hope the esthetician had of getting off the hook and left Wendelyn looking like a fool. Wendelyn instantly paled.

“Shermaine will decide if you get to walk out of here,” Joshua said to the esthetician. “If not, don’t count on living peacefully in Basterel.”

The esthetician trembled all over. But with Shermaine still pretending to be unconscious, she had no idea how to even begin begging for forgiveness.

Joshua scooped Shermaine up into his arms. “Stay right here. When Shermaine wakes up, then you can start begging for mercy.”

He turned to Jameson. “The doctor’s on the way. Which floor is Shermaine’s room?”

“First room on the right, third floor,” Jameson replied.

Shermaine’s heart was pounding as she was carried in Joshua’s arms.

Once they left the backyard and Joshua was heading up the stairs with her, she opened her eyes. They were bright and clear, lighting up her whole face.

She couldn’t help but say, “Mr. York, being your wife doesn’t sound half bad.”

Joshua’s voice was low. “I’ll treat you well.”

Shermaine smiled faintly, a little flutter tugging at her chest until his next sentence ruined the moment.

“But it won’t be out of love,” he added.

That flicker of affection vanished just as fast. She thought, “Listen to him—sounds just like a walking red flag. Even his proposal sounds like he’s closing a business deal!”

Joshua figured it was better to make things clear before they tied the knot. “I’m marrying you because we have an engagement, and I’ve reached the age when it’s time to get married. The York family has always honored its promises.

“After we’re married, I’d like us to stay out of each other’s way. Two years from now, if you’re unhappy with the arrangement, you can file for divorce. I’ll make sure you’re compensated.”

Shermaine asked, “Two years?”

Joshua remarked, “My grandfather’s seriously ill. He probably won’t make it through the next year or so. He wants to see me married before he passes, to stop the gossip. Two years is the most reasonable timeline.”

He paused, then added, “Of course, if you’d rather not divorce, you’re welcome to stay my wife.”

Only now did Shermaine realize the real reason Joshua wanted to marry her. If it weren’t for his grandfather Owen’s illness, marriage probably wouldn’t even be on his radar.

She thought, “For a man as restrained as he is, this really must be too hard on him.”

She had planned to agree to the marriage anyway. Part of it was to repay a favor, and part of it was to spite Ruth and Wendelyn.

Falling in love with Joshua had never really crossed her mind. If there had been the tiniest spark, it was already snuffed out by the few cold lines he’d just thrown her way.

Shermaine had never known what it felt like to be protected. So when Joshua kept stepping in for her, again and again, it felt strange—almost surreal.

Also, now she was wondering if Owen’s condition was really that serious. Shermaine actually had decent medical skills. The question was whether Joshua would trust her enough to let her treat Owen.

“If you don’t want to, we can forget the whole engagement,” Joshua said. “You don’t have to marry me.” He was considering finding a suitable woman to marry, just to give the York family a proper explanation.

Shermaine didn’t answer. Instead, she asked, “What if your grandfather’s illness could be cured?”

For Joshua, it was a pointless question—Owen’s condition wasn’t going to improve. Not a single renowned doctor in Basterel had been able to treat his prolonged illness.

Still, Joshua stayed patient and replied, “So if he gets better, that means I no longer have to marry and start a family?”

That wasn’t quite it. After all, Joshua was already thirty. Most men his age had settled down by now. Marriage was still something he needed to take seriously.

Shermaine thought it over for a moment. “Before you came, I told my mother and Wendelyn I was gonna marry you—just to spite them.

“Now that I’ve said it, there’s no taking it back. Don’t worry. We’ll treat this engagement as a mutually beneficial deal.”

She paused. “And, if you trust me, I can take a look at your grandfather’s condition.”

Chapter 8