Chapter 94
Though the glasses didn’t diminish Joshua’s good looks, his features would likely appear even more striking without them—a perfect blend of Fasur raw intensity.
Without much thought, Joshua moved closer. The man, who hadn’t felt hot before, suddenly found the air stilling.
Shermaine had really been a handful just now.
He loosened his tie and undid a few buttons, his collarbone peeking out with a tantalizing allure, the air around him thick with desire.
Shermaine gave a sultry, languid smile as she propped herself up and reached out her hand.
Before Shermaine could touch his glasses, Joshua reacted swiftly, catching her wrist. After a brief pause, he asked, “Shermaine?”
Ignoring him, Shermaine whispered, “Glasses.”
She wanted his glasses?
What a curious troublemaker. Everything seemed new and exciting to her.
Though Joshua wasn’t nearsighted, he was never without his glasses. He’d gotten used to hiding behind that refined, intellectual look, using it to mask the sharper side of himself.
For now, he found it unnecessary to show her his other side.
But before Joshua could say no, Shermaine’s interest suddenly waned. She shrugged and said dismissively, “Never mind. Just forget what I said.”
Joshua mused, ‘Seriously? Already bored with me?’
Shermaine straightened up abruptly, the dizziness worsening compared to when she was lying down. “Let go,” she demanded.
Joshua hesitated for a moment, then let go of her hand.
Shermaine slumped back onto the sofa, set her yogurt aside, and let her heavy eyelids flutter shut. As the alcohol took over, she soon quieted down, her breathing gradually slowing until she drifted into sleep.
Meanwhile, Jameson arrived at Yaleview Hospital in a frantic rush, heading straight to the ward the woman had mentioned on the phone.
Inside, a well-dressed middle-aged woman sat by the bed, muttering to herself, while on the bed lay a clean-cut young man on an IV drip. He looked in decent condition and was quietly reading a book.
The middle-aged woman wasn’t exactly beautiful, but she had a curvaceous figure. Maintaining such curves at her age was something most women could only envy.
Upon entering, Jameson said, “Jason, Natalie.”
Jason, who had been engrossed in his book, looked up in surprise. “Dad? What brings you here?”
Jameson walked over and asked gently, “Your mom told me you were hospitalized. What happened? Is it serious?”
Jason lowered his head, stammering, “I’m… I’m fine.”
Natalie scolded, her voice laced with worry, “Oh, you’re fine, are you? You had to get stitches in the back of your head! Haven’t I told you again and again to just ignore those classmates? Why won’t you ever listen to me?”
Jason had always been obedient. Though health issues delayed his schooling by a year, he excelled as a top student. His teachers predicted he stood an excellent chance of becoming the top achiever in natural science in next year’s SAT.
So, there’s no way Jason would pick a fight for no reason.
Jason explained, “I can take being called a bastard, but insulting my mom crosses the line. She’s worked so hard to raise me. What right do they have to insult her?”
“You silly boy,” Natalie softened her voice, “after all I’ve endured these years, how could you pick a fight at such a crucial time?”
In the end, it all boiled down to status. Natalie was, after all, Jameson’s mistress, while Jason had been an illegitimate child from the very start, growing up all these years without even the right to be officially recognized as a member of the Jean family.
Hearing their conversation, Jameson couldn’t help but feel guilty. With a sigh, he said softly, “I’m sorry for everything I’ve put you and your son through. You both deserve so much better than this.”
With a hint of grievance in her voice, Natalie asked softly, “I know I can’t expect to ever be your wife, but Jason is already nineteen. When will you finally let him come home and be acknowledged as part of your family?”
Bringing Jason back would first require getting past Janice, and then there was Ruth. That woman, relying on her 15% shareholding, had grown increasingly domineering.
If she ever discovered that his relationship with Natalie had never really ended and that he intended to officially acknowledge Jason as his son, she would undoubtedly throw a massive fit.
As for how Ross and Shermaine might feel, he couldn’t care less.
So the immediate issue was dealing with Ruth. He needed to find a way to reclaim her shares and then file for divorce.
He reassured Natalie, “Don’t worry. Not only will I bring Jason home, but you’ll also be my wife.” His gaze lingered on her impressive cleavage. Compared to Ruth, his preference was clearly leaning toward Natalie now.
Truthfully, he never planned to divorce Ruth, but now her temper had become unbearable. Going home felt increasingly suffocating–most days, he was simply miserable.
What man wouldn’t want a gentle and attentive wife by his side? But ever since Ruth discovered his infidelity, she had changed completely. Now she barely spared him a glance. Ironically, he indulged in his extravagant lifestyle even more, spending recklessly.
As soon as Natalie realized Jameson meant to divorce Ruth, her eyes lit up with joy. “Are you serious?” she asked excitedly.
“Of course.”
Natalie smiled briefly before schooling her expression. “Even if your mother agrees, what about your son and daughter? Will they accept Jason as their brother?”