Chapter 177
Roy thought to himself, ‘No way… This must be an illusion.
‘No way Joshua would lose to that Trance guy.
‘But damn… Trance is actually… pretty handsome.
‘Also the King of Football? Damn, he’s got more fans than me.‘
Shermaine took the painting Trance had been carrying and handed it to the maid, who then carried it upstairs.
She then asked Trance to sit with Danielle before going to pour him a glass of juice.
The party was packed with guests and short–staffed. With everyone swamped and the pre–made orange juice already gone, Shermaine headed straight to the kitchen to make a fresh batch herself, not wanting to trouble the other staff.
When Trance saw Danielle, they greeted each other with a warm hug–they were already acquainted and on good terms. As he leaned in close, he whispered in her ear, “Danielle, could you introduce me to Sheary’s family?”
Danielle smiled and said, “Sure thing.”
Janice had to admit, Trance was dashingly handsome–his looks alone were certainly appealing. But with Joshua already lined up, she couldn’t possibly consider a second candidate.
Danielle started by introducing Ross.
Ross‘ face remained impassive.
Trance blurted out, “Hey, bro! I’m Trance, Sheary’s friend.”
“Hello,” Ross replied coolly.
Trance wasn’t just the sunny, handsome image he projected. Born into aristocracy, he had been taught from childhood to read people–it came as naturally as breathing.
He could tell that Shermaine’s brother, Ross, didn’t like him. Otherwise, why would he be so cold? Logically speaking, most men adored him, even saw him as an idol. After all, his football skills spoke for themselves.
‘Damn, how do I get her brother to like me?‘ Trance was itching to grab his phone and ask the family group chat for advice.
Then came Janice.
Naturally, Janice understood Ustranasian. Back when the Jean family conducted business with foreign clients, she served as the interpreter.
Trance was absolutely thrilled when he realized Janice could not only understand Ustranasian but also communicate with him effortlessly. He started showering her with sweet talk, soon having her beaming from ear to ear.
Next, Danielle turned to Ruth and Jameson, her tone noticeably cooler as she made the introductions.
Trance picked up on the shift.
After exchanging greetings, he didn’t say much
Ruth stayed invisible all night, silently soaking in the spectacle.
When Ruth saw Jameson getting humiliated, she thought to herself, ‘Serves him right!
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Chapter 177
‘He’s finally getting a taste of his own medicine -exactly what he once did to me.
‘He’s always calling me stupid, but isn’t he just as bad? Hopelessly dumb himself
‘This is so damn satisfying!‘
Ruth had already given up trying to please Shermaine. Her past misdeeds had completely turned Shermaine’s heart cold. More than anything, the hoped Shermaine wouldn’t focus on her deep down, she was terrified Shermaine might dig up secrets she desperately wanted to keep hidden.
Ruth thought to herself, ‘I’m done with Jameson. But as for being Mrs. Jean, I’ll never let that vizen Natalie take my place. I’m determined to remain the wealthy lady of this household, living in comfort and luxury for the rest of my days!
As Jameson watched Trance make his entrance, he felt as if another invisible slap landed across his face–the sting of humiliation burning hot.
It was common knowledge that the renowned painter Oliver Green had a nephew who was none other than the King of Football–Trance.
And as for Trance’s family, they were bona fide Ustrana aristocracy–a noble house with centuries of history.
For the Jean family, this association was a huge social boost–if word got out, they’d be the envy of everyone.
But somehow, Jameson just couldn’t bring himself to feel happy.
Jameson couldn’t help but wonder, ‘Could the daughter I’ve always looked down upon actually be… outstanding?”
As soon as the thought crossed his mind, he immediately dismissed it.
Jameson thought to himself, ‘No way.
‘Shermaine must have used some underhanded means to win Oliver and Trance’s favor.
‘Honestly, with her looks and figure, she could easily get by on her appearance abroad. There’s no way she actually impressed them with real talent.
Darkly twisted thoughts churned in Jameson’s heart.
Shermaine was making fresh juice in the kitchen when Summer slipped in unnoticed from outside, watching her with a mischievous grin.
Shermaine asked, “Hey, are you hungry?”
Summer shook her head.
“Not hungry,” Summer replied. “Already ate a ton of snacks.”
Shermaine said, “That’s good. If you get hungry, feel free to come down for some snacks and desserts. Or just let the chef know–he can whip up whatever you’d like.”
“Hey Sheary,” Summer said, “the guys in our class sent me down to ask–would it be okay if they got Trance’s autograph?”
“Sure,” Shermaine replied. “Trance never turns down autograph requests from soccer fans. They can just go ask him directly.”
“That’s awesome!” Summer grinned, clearly shipping Shermaine and Trance. “Trance is so dreamy! He even rented billboards all over the city to declare his feelings for you. But too bad, Sheary–you already have a fiancé.”
Summer simply had a thing for gorgeous mixed race guys like Trance–no wonder she was head over heels.
Hearing this, Shermaine paused mid–squeeze, surprised. “How did you guys find out?” she asked.
Summer grinned and said, “It’s trending!”
Shermaine thought to herself, ‘I really underestimated how fast news spreads in the digital age–and just how obsessed the gossip–loving crowd can be
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with a confession like this.‘
Shermaine wondered to herself, ‘So, does Joshua also know that Trance confessed to me?
‘Now it makes sense. No wonder Joshua had been giving me this vibe that something was off. But true to his character, he’d been remarkably restrained -not a word about it since we met.‘
Shermaine was lost in thought.
“Hey, Sheary,” Summer asked curiously, “do you really like Mr. York?” She didn’t know much about Shermaine and Joshua’s marriage, but online rumors said it was just a business deal. In her experience, marriages like that usually meant there weren’t any real feelings involved.
Summer couldn’t help but think, ‘Shermaine is so remarkable–she really didn’t need to go through with that business marriage to the York family at all. With her abilities, she could’ve just chosen to be with a man she truly loved.
Summer got her answer right away.
Because Shermaine said she did.
Shermaine repeated firmly, “Joshua is wonderful. I love him.”
Trance was great too, of course, but she just didn’t have feelings for him.
It was an unexpected answer.
Though a bit disappointed her Trance–Shermaine ship didn’t sail, Summer was even more thrilled when Shermaine openly admitted she liked Joshua.
Shermaine pressed her lips, her eyes showing a hint of tenderness. “I’m planning to make it official with him.” She just hadn’t found the right moment to tell Joshua yet.
Summer thought excitedly, ‘So they actually have feelings for each other!
‘So Trance is the major obstacle standing in Mr. York’s way to winning Shermaine’s heart!‘
Summer couldn’t help but click her tongue at this revelation, a mix of amusement and resignation flickering in her eyes.
“The juice is ready,” Shermaine said as she poured it into a glass. “Get a pen and paper–I’ll take you to get his autograph.”
“Great!”
In the living room, Owen looked troubled. Trance, Joshua’s rival suitor, was quite impressive–with looks and physique that could rival Joshua’s, and he was even more silver–tongued and charming.
Owen couldn’t bring himself to say anything that might discourage Joshua at this moment. After all, if Shermaine truly didn’t have feelings for his grandson, there was simply nothing he could do about it.
Matters of the heart grew especially tangled when three souls were caught in the web.
In the end, it all hinged on who captured Shermaine’s favor.
Joshua walked in without saying a word, a cigarette clenched between his lips as he flicked his lighter and lit another.
Shermaine came out just then with a glass of orange juice and handed it to Trance. He accepted it with a beaming smile and said. “Thanks, Sheary!”
Trance took a sip of his juice and said, “Sheary, I just had a great chat with your grandma–we really hit it off. So, what do you think I should do now?”
Ross smirked coldly. ‘What a carefully crafted verbal trap. He seems carefree, but every word is calculated.‘
Between the two suitors pursuing Shermaine, Ross clearly favored Joshua, a known quantity, who would treat Shermaine exceptionally well.
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Chapter 177
Shermaine chuckled, “You could just adopt my grandma as your own.” Then her gaze shifted to Joshua, who stood apart from the crowd, a Cigarette between his fingers, exhaling slow streams of smoke his detached indifference making him seem utterly out of place here.
Shermaine thought to herself, ‘He was chain–smoking by the entrance earlier, and he’s still at it. How many has he had tonight? At this rate, it must be quite a few.
Trance clearly wasn’t satisfied with that answer and was about to say more when he saw Shermaine walking straight toward Joshua. In that instant, he felt as if his heart shattered into pieces all over again.
Trance thought bitterly, ‘Tearing Joshua to pieces wouldn’t be enough. Right now, I just want to challerige him to a duel and steal Shermaine zway!
Shermaine stepped beside Joshua and plucked the cigarette from his fingers. “That’s enough,” she said gently.
Joshua let her take the cigarette away. Looking up at her with deep, intense eyes, he teased, “Sheary, are you trying to boss me around?” Before Shermaine could reply, he added with a smirk, “I only take orders from my woman.”
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