Chapter 81

As for the other lady of the Jean family, she was renowned for her exceptional talents. Yet, for some reason, this so-called brilliance never truly shone as brightly as people expected.

No matter how you looked at her, she was just… ordinary. Honestly, all that hype was way overblown.

On the contrary, Shermaine was like a hidden gem—exquisitely polished, beautiful, and talented, though few recognized it. In fact, she might already be making waves in some field.

After all, those rumors are nothing but hearsay. Only the shallow-minded would take them seriously.

Shermaine followed Joshua to Owen’s side. With a graceful, composed smile, she greeted them, “Mr. York, Grandma.”

Owen and Janice beamed with joy upon seeing Shermaine.

“Sheary, you look stunning!” Janice said.

“You look lovely too, Grandma,” Shermaine replied with a smile.

“Sheary, long time no see. I missed you so much!” Owen said warmly.

Shermaine smiled gently. “I’ve missed you too, Mr. York.”

Everyone could see Owen’s fondness for Shermaine. Her position as Joshua’s wife was now indisputably secured.

Owen boomed, “Which young man just said his father was ill and couldn’t be cured after consulting many renowned doctors? You there, come over!”

The gentleman, Johnson Smith, stepped forward from the crowd and said, “It was me, Mr. York.”

“Ah, you’ve come to exactly the right person. Sheary can help you,” Owen said proudly.

Johnson offered a slightly nervous smile. “Hello, Shermaine. You and Joshua make a perfect match.”

These words were music to Joshua’s ears.

He had to admit, he and Shermaine really were a perfect match.

Shermaine smiled appreciatively. “Thank you. May I ask what symptoms your father is experiencing?”

Johnson then explained.

Shermaine listened carefully and said, “How about this? Come to Riverswood Villa tomorrow, and we’ll talk.” After the engagement party, she would be moving back in with Joshua.

Johnson agreed at once.

The granddaughter-in-law Owen had mentioned was actually Shermaine!

And she actually knew medicine?

“But isn’t she only 19?” someone blurted out, unable to hide their disbelief.

Besides, she just went back to senior year not long ago.

Meanwhile, Wendelyn watched as Shermaine emerged with Joshua, looking every bit the regal princess, bathing in the crowd’s envious stares. The sight filled her with such bitter jealousy it threatened to warp her very psyche.

‘If Shermaine had never returned to the Jean family,’ Wendelyn thought bitterly, ‘then I would be the one by Joshua’s side!’

Fortunately, Shermaine’s life would end soon after this engagement party.

Wendelyn sneered inwardly, ‘Forget about marrying Joshua, Shermaine. You’re not even worthy of being his fiancée!’

“If I can’t have him, I’ll make damn sure you never will either,” she vowed darkly.

Wendelyn’s gaze lingered on Shermaine’s lips. Comparing them to the photo Yvonne had sent, she saw that the lipstick on the wine glass matched perfectly. Unable to suppress her malice, she smirked viciously.

Still searching for Leslie, Roy stepped into the ballroom just as his subordinate called to inform him that Leslie had already returned. Scanning the room, he spotted Wendelyn, also in a white dress, staring longingly at Joshua and Shermaine.

They’d run into each other a few times before. Thinking she was just distraught, Roy was about to go over and comfort her when her face suddenly twisted into a sinister smirk. He froze mid-step.

That smile… Honestly, it was downright creepy. Did she get so heartbroken her face twisted up like that or what?

‘That must be it,’ Roy thought.

“Why else would she be grinning like that?”

Just then, Wendelyn, together with her parents, headed toward Owen. Realizing he still hadn’t found Leslie, Roy hurried off to continue his search.

The ballroom was packed, with dozens searching for Leslie. Yet somehow, no one could find him.

At that moment, Leslie lurked in the shadows, trying to compose himself. ‘I need to get a grip,’ he thought. But the moment Shermaine appeared with Joshua, his gaze was irresistibly drawn to her.

Gradually, Leslie began feeling unwell—his throat parched, his whole body burning up, his head swimming. The moment his gaze landed on Joshua, an inexplicable rage surged through him.

Leslie fumed inwardly. ‘Who does he think he is, ordering me to give up on Shermaine? He’s just her nominal fiancé. What right does he have to act so high and mighty?’

Wendelyn walked over with practiced grace and said sweetly, “Congratulations on your engagement.”

Shermaine smiled faintly and replied, “Thanks.”

Wendelyn looked at Joshua, her lips parting as if she wanted to speak, but in the end, she just dropped her gaze and stayed silent.

To outsiders, it was a classic case of unrequited love—Wendelyn pining while Joshua stayed indifferent. People couldn’t help but feel sorry for her.

Joshua didn’t spare her a single glance, his mind already preoccupied with introducing Shermaine to his other family members later.

Shermaine was growing distracted. ‘Roy’s taking forever,’ she thought impatiently. She tugged lightly at Joshua’s sleeve. He looked down, his gold-rimmed glasses softening the intensity of his penetrating eyes. Yet now, they held a surprisingly gentle look. Then, with quiet consideration, he bent his tall frame toward her.

They really were a perfect match. Even the smallest gestures between them made onlookers linger, craving those sweet shipper moments.

The man was still quite tall for her, so Shermaine had to rise on tiptoe. She was about to ask Joshua to send a few more people to look for Leslie because the longer it dragged on, the worse it would be for his health.

Suddenly, someone unexpectedly bumped her from behind. She staggered a few steps and pitched forward, losing her balance.

Joshua instinctively wrapped his arm around her waist, at just the right angle for Shermaine’s rosy lips to land with startling precision on his cheek, completely unplanned.

Joshua swallowed involuntarily.

Her lips felt even softer than when his fingers brushed them before.

Instantly, uproarious laughter and thunderous applause erupted all around, so deafening…

Shermaine inwardly groaned, ‘Why do these embarrassing accidents always have to happen to me?’