Chapter 82
Joshua snapped back to his senses almost instantly. He couldn’t believe what had just crossed his mind. It was absurd; in all these years, this was the first time he’d felt something so strange, so unsettling, so completely out of his control.
Owen noticed, and his eyes widened with excitement. He thought, ‘Come on, Joshua, kiss her back. When will you get a better chance than this?’
If Owen could, he would have jumped up and pushed Joshua’s head forward to make him return the kiss.
Janice was shaking with laughter beside them. She hadn’t meant to do it, but her elbow had accidentally bumped into Shermaine. It wasn’t a total loss. A man like Joshua was worth kissing.
Ross, however, felt like he was having a heart attack. His grandmother had just served his sister up on a silver platter.
Owen and Janice were grinning so widely they looked like blooming flowers.
Shermaine was about to step back when Joshua acted first, steadying her by the waist before releasing her with gentlemanly grace. “Are you alright?” His reflexes were impressively quick.
Shermaine shook her head expressionless. “I’m fine.” She noticed her lipstick had left a mark on Joshua’s face, making him look strangely alluring and sensual. She added quietly, “You should wipe that off.”
Joshua raised his hand and rubbed his thumb against the corner of his mouth a few times with perfect composure. “Is it gone?”
“Yes.”
“What were you trying to tell me earlier?”
Shermaine leaned close to his ear and whispered, “Send more people to look for Leslie.”
Joshua nodded in agreement. He turned to speak quietly with a nearby bodyguard, who then stepped back and left immediately.
Owen’s smile vanished from his face. He thought, ‘Joshua is completely useless.’
After watching Joshua and Shermaine’s exchange end, Janice approached with concern. “Sheary, did I hurt you when I bumped into you?”
Shermaine thought, ‘So it was actually Grandma who pushed me into him?’ She replied, “No, Grandma, I’m fine.”
Janice smiled, “Thank goodness Joshua was right there beside you.”
Shermaine pressed her lips together; her expression remained perfectly calm.
Wendelyn, witnessing this scene, was furious. She remembered that time when she had pretended to be drunk and thrown herself at Joshua, only to have him step aside with such cold eyes.
The contrast between his icy rejection then and his tender behavior now was like night and day. This blatant favoritism made her feel both miserable and furious.
Wendelyn thought, ‘Why is Shermaine still fine? Why hasn’t the drug kicked in yet? Why won’t she die?’ She desperately wished Shermaine would drop dead right in front of her.
Perhaps Wendelyn’s glare was too venomous, because Shermaine suddenly sensed it and turned to look at her. Shermaine’s clear eyes seemed to see through everything.
Wendelyn’s heart skipped a beat. She forced a smile onto her face, trying to appear casual and indifferent.
Just then, the music in the party hall shifted to a different style–something soft and romantic, perfect for a couple’s dance.
As the stars of tonight’s engagement party, Joshua and Shermaine were expected to perform the first dance.
Watching the dance floor illuminated by spotlights, Wendelyn gripped her dress tightly and suddenly said, “Sheary, don’t be nervous when you dance with Mr. York later. Just follow his lead.”
Her words were meant to remind everyone that Shermaine wasn’t skilled at dancing, subtly highlighting her humble background, all while appearing to be the caring younger sister offering comfort.
After all, ordinary families didn’t teach ballroom dancing. Shermaine had grown up as an orphan, surviving on charity from various families. She wouldn’t have a chance to learn the waltz. Besides, Wendelyn had never seen Shermaine take lessons or practice. She was certain Shermaine couldn’t dance.
The other guests, however, seemed to think that whether she could dance or not didn’t matter–having Joshua as a partner was impressive enough.
Wendelyn certainly had a lot on her mind.
These weren’t small-time nobodies from minor families who could be easily fooled by a few carefully chosen words.
Shermaine smoothed out her dress and smiled, “Since when did my dear sister become so thoughtful? I’m not used to it.”
Wendelyn’s smile froze on her face. She lowered her head in her usual display of weakness, saying nothing.
Ruth quickly jumped in to support Wendelyn. “You know about the opening dance, but we’ve never seen you practice. Wendelyn’s just worried you might not perform well.”
Shermaine lifted her chin slightly, her voice light and airy as she looked down at everyone with pride. “I already know how to dance. Why would I need to practice?”
She continued, “If Mom and Wendelyn don’t know me well enough, you shouldn’t worry needlessly. Doesn’t this just tell everyone that we don’t get along?”
Wendelyn’s voice faltered weakly. “Shermaine, I’m sorry. I’ve been so busy lately, I haven’t had much time to pay attention to you.”
Ruth felt inexplicably awkward and muttered, “What are you talking about?”
Shermaine smiled faintly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. She thought, ‘Keep pretending. You won’t have the chance much longer.’
Jameson knew Shermaine was like a cactus covered in thorns–truly difficult to handle.
The expressions on everyone’s faces became increasingly intriguing.
Shermaine removed her shawl and revealed her beautiful shoulders. She held her dress with one hand and slowly extended the other toward Joshua.
“Come on, let’s dance.”
Joshua watched as she tossed aside her shawl, exposing her lovely shoulders. He seemed about to say something but held back, simply responding, “Sure.”
Shermaine was indeed an excellent dancer. Her graceful figure moved beautifully as her dress swayed with each step, and together they made a stunning pair on the dance floor.
Meanwhile, Roy finally spotted Leslie at the edge of the dance floor. Just as he reached out to grab her, Leslie pushed through the crowd like a woman possessed and charged straight toward the dancing couple.