Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Right then, Jameson called Joshua. The phone rang twice before Joshua answered.
“Joshua, I hope I’m not bothering you this late,” Jameson began.
“No,” Joshua replied.
Jameson asked, “Is Shermaine with you?”
Instead of giving a direct answer, Joshua simply said, “She’s asleep.”
Jameson was overjoyed, putting on the tone of a loving father. “I haven’t done a good job taking care of Shermaine. I thought her mother could handle her situation, but it turns out we still had to trouble you in the end.”
To be honest, the fact that Joshua got involved had taken Jameson by surprise. The York family had really handed Jameson a gift he never saw coming
To Jameson, interests came first. If Shermaine and Joshua really got married, the Jean family’s business and reputation would only grow stronger.
“But Shermaine’s a proper young lady from a respectable family. Staying out all night like that doesn’t really look good,” Jameson said hesitantly, testing the waters.
“We’re engaged. Her staying the night with me is perfectly reasonable,” Joshua remarked, his voice gentle and deep.
Jameson relaxed. “So you’re saying the engagement still stands?”
“It does,” Joshua replied.
Jameson continued, “Then regarding the wedding–if you’re free tomorrow, why don’t you and Shermaine come by our place? We can sit down and talk things through. How about that?”
“I’ll come by tomorrow afternoon,” Joshua said.
Thanks to the whiskey, Shermaine had slept soundly all night. By the time she woke up, it was already ten in the morning.
Her stomach growled with hunger. With no phone in hand, she couldn’t order delivery. She checked the fridge and found out that there were two eggs
left.
After finishing breakfast, she pulled 30 bucks out of a drawer, changed her clothes, and grabbed a cab back to the Jean residence.
Shermaine didn’t want to go back, but her phone was still there, so she had no choice but to go pick it up. She took her time and didn’t arrive until nearly
twelve o’clock.
Little did Shermaine know, some people had already been waiting for her with growing impatience ever since word got out that Joshua had taken her away last night and she hadn’t come home since.
The moment Shermaine stepped through the front door, the housekeeper Peyton Snow froze for a second before reacting. “Ms. Shue, welcome home.”
Shermaine gave her a cool nod. When she walked into the living room, she saw Ruth and Wendelyn seated properly on the sofa. The moment they saw her, their eyes immediately fell on her.
Ruth and Wendelyn had assumed Shermaine would come back with Joshua, but she walked in alone. Ruth thought, ‘Good. 1. not say in front of outsiders anyway.’
Wendelyn stared at Shermaine, her expression unreadable, her fingers nervously twisting together.
re things I’d rather
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Chapter 4
Ruth’s face darkened. “Why are you just getting home now?”
Shermaine raised an eyebrow and wondered, ‘Did she already find out Joshua took me from the hospital last night?
“I overslept,” she replied.
Ruth snapped, “You’re a proper lady and the heiress of a respectable family. Even if you’re engaged to Joshua, you should know your boundaries, How could you spend the night alone with him?”
Shermaine was confused for a second but quickly caught on. She realized Joshua must have misled them. Since Ruth’s tone was already harsh, Shermaine smiled faintly, “I spent the night at my fiancé’s. What’s the problem?”
Ruth yelled, “Watch your mouth. You and Joshua had never even met before. There are no feelings between you two. If this gets out, what do you think people will say about our family?”
“Whoever dares to run their mouth better be ready for Joshua to deal with them,” Shermaine said, sounding very much like someone using her status for leverage.
Ruth was utterly speechless.
Wendelyn spoke up, “Mom, don’t be mad at Shermaine. It’s our fault for not bringing her home last night. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have troubled Mr. York.”
Ruth stayed silent, thinking, ‘She’s right. If I’d known Joshua would go to the hospital, I wouldn’t have left so soon. That really backfired.
Wendelyn looked at Shermaine, her gaze full of concern. “Shermaine, have you had lunch yet? If not, I can ask Peyton to make something for you.”
“I already ate,” Shermaine replied.
“Good,” Wendelyn said, as if trying to ease the tension between them.
Ruth took a moment to collect herself and softened her tone. “Shermaine, I’m only being strict with you because I want what’s best for you.”
Shermaine smiled faintly, offering no comment.
“Come sit,” Ruth said even more gently. “There’s something I want to talk to you about.”
Shermaine didn’t even need to guess what Ruth was thinking. She went over and sat down, ready to hear whatever it was.
Ruth asked, “After meeting Mr. York last night, what do you think of him?”
“He’s great,” Shermaine replied.
Ruth nodded. “Mr. York’s success and ability are beyond what ordinary men can match. He took control of most of the York family’s business at such a
young age.
“Even your father has to show him some deference in the business world–he doesn’t dare act like a senior. In the eyes of women, he’s elegant and distinguished, the man of their dreams. There are countless women who dream of marrying him.”
“Your grandfather had the foresight to speak with Mr. York’s grandfather early on and arrange this engagement between you and Mr. York. You were both lucky and unlucky.
“You were so young back then, but because of that accident, you lost our family’s protection and care. After you turned five. you grew up in a poor village and went through a hard life.
“You never received a proper education. There’s not a trace of refinement in you–nothing that resembles how a lady from a prestigious family should carry herself.
“And after you came back to us, all of those flaws were blown out of proportion because of how much your status had suddenly risen.
Chapter 4
“The York family’s standards are even higher than ours. Their rules are stricter, too, I honestly don’t think you’re fit to marry into the York tambalean want to see you suffer over there.”
Shermaine’s expression didn’t change. She thought, ‘If I’m not suited to marry him, then who is? Wendelyn? She let out a soft laugh, her expression thoughtful. “You’re right, Mom.“.
Ruth smiled, “Then when Mr. York comes b I’ll take the blame.”
later, if he
Wendelyn’s expression subtly eased. She thought,
he brings up the engagement, just say you don’t want to marry him. If the York family takes offense
Shermaine pondered, ‘So Joshua’s coming
No Good At least Shermaine knows her place.
That
Plains everything.
She really hadn’t wanted to marry Joshua at first. But what she wanted even less was to hand him over to Wendelyn on a silver platter.
Shermaine thought, “This was supposed to be my engagement in the first place, and now I’m expected to step aside like some swest, self–acrifting pushover? What part of me looks that generous?‘
Then she said, “Mom, you make a fair point. But I still want to
marry Joshua.”
Hearing that, Ruth and Wendelyn both froze, their expressions turning gloomy.
Shermaine continued, “Grandpa worked hard to secure this marriage for the Jean family. If we back out now, wouldn’t that be a waste? If it means I have to swallow a little pride and go through with it, I can handle that.”
Ruth snapped, “Shermaine, you’re not good enough for Joshua. You need to let go of that thought right now.”
Wendelyn chimed in, “Shermaine, Mom’s doing this for your own good. She means well. You don’t have to shut her down like that.”
Shermaine found it laughable. Her eyes turned cold. “Oh, come on, Wendelyn. This whole speech was just to push me aside so you could take my place, wasn’t it? Saying I’m not good enough–how convenient.”
Wendelyn’s expression stiffened.
Ruth didn’t even bother pretending anymore. “Am I wrong? Wendelyn’s a better match than you.”
Wendelyn pressed her lips together and said softly, “Shermaine, everyone in the Jean family knows how deeply I love Mr. York. Please don’t blame Mom.”
She paused. “Mom didn’t mean what she said. She just didn’t want to see me keep crushing on Mr. York all these years with nothing to show for it, so she hoped you’d give up the engagement.
“Shermaine, I know it’s a lot to ask, but could you please let me have this?”
Shermaine thought, ‘Figures. Mom’s only good to Wendelyn. She grants her every wish. As for me, I’ve never even gotten a kind look from her.‘
Shermaine’s tone was cold as she turned Ruth down. “Sorry, but no.”
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