Joshua gave Shermaine a long, meaningful look, though it disappeared almost instantly,
They were going to be husband and wife in name, but nothing more. To him, Shermaine posed no threat, so he had no reason to dig deeper into he background.
Shermaine’s voice was sweet, and she smiled with innocent charm, “Mr. Owen York, am I really that good?”
“You are,” Owen replied without hesitation. “You’re just as excellent as your brother.”
Shermaine was at the age where she should’ve been thriving, yet because of those fourteen years of separation, all the glory and life that should’ve been hers had been handed to Wendelyn, her adopted sister.‘
Owen figured if Shermaine had grown up under the Jean family’s protection, she would’ve become someone outstanding. She wouldn’t have carried such a bad reputation, and no one would’ve dared to mistreat her.
Fortunately, she was still young and sharp. It wasn’t too late for anything.
That game of chess lasted an hour before they knew it.
Ever since his health had declined, Owen had rarely enjoyed a game of chess this thoroughly. Part of it was because he seldom went out anymore, and the friends around him weren’t exactly strong players.
He chuckled, “Sheary, I knew I wasn’t wrong about you.”
Shermaine lost, but it was a respectable loss. “You flatter me,” she said.
Owen still hadn’t had enough. If they played another round, Shermaine might not even lose. Her learning ability was genuinely impressive–she’d even picked up on his tactics mid–game and silently started using them against him.
But after that match, he didn’t have the energy for another. His body was weak, and fatigue was setting in.
Joshua helped Owen up. “Maybe you should go upstairs and lie down for a bit. I’ll have the driver take you home later.”
Owen nodded and said to Shermaine, “Sheary, I’m tired. I’m going upstairs to rest.”
Shermaine put the pieces back into the chess box and smiled, “Okay.”
Since Wendelyn was still there, it wasn’t the right time for Shermaine to check Owen’s condition. She figured she’d wait until Wendelyn left and Owen
had rested.
“Excuse me, ladies,” Joshua remarked as he helped Owen upstairs. The two of them gradually disappeared around the corner.
Now, only Shermaine and Wendelyn were left in the living room.
Wendelyn felt utterly humiliated. As soon as Joshua and Owen were gone, she couldn’t hold it in anymore. “Shermaine, you clearly knew how to play chess but lied and said you didn’t. You’re way too calculating.”
Shermaine popped a cherry into her mouth and raised an eyebrow. “What, you just can’t handle the fact that I played too well to be a first–time
Wendelyn shot back, “It wasn’t your first time/ She just couldn’t bring herself to admit that after years of learning chess, she still lost to Shermaine, who picked it up instantly and played that well. It felt like a slap in the face.
Shermaine gave a soft laugh. “Sounds like you know the truth deep down. Honestly, you should be grateful I didn’t completely humiliate you.”
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Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Joshua gave Shermaine a long, meaningful look, though it disappeared almost instantly.
They were going to be husband and wife in name, but nothing more. To him, Shermaine posed no threat, so he had no reason to dig deeper into her background.
Shermaine’s voice was sweet, and she smiled with innocent charm, “Mr. Owen York, am I really that good?”
“You are,” Owen replied without hesitation. “You’re just as excellent as your brother.”
Shermaine was at the age where she should’ve been thriving, yet because of those fourteen years of separation, all the glory and life that should’ve been hers had been handed to Wendelyn, her adopted sister.
Owen figured if Shermaine had grown up under the Jean family’s protection, she would’ve become someone outstanding. She wouldn’t have carried such a bad reputation, and no one would’ve dared to mistreat her.
Fortunately, she was still young and sharp. It wasn’t too late for anything.
That game of chess lasted an hour before they knew it.
Ever since his health had declined, Owen had rarely enjoyed a game of chess this thoroughly. Part of it was because he seldom went out anymore, and the friends around him weren’t exactly strong players.
He chuckled, “Sheary, I knew I wasn’t wrong about you.”
Shermaine lost, but it was a respectable loss. “You flatter me,” she said.
Owen still hadn’t had enough. If they played another round, Shermaine might not even lose. Her learning ability was genuinely impressive–she’d even picked up on his tactics mid–game and silently started using them against him.
But after that match, he didn’t have the energy for another. His body was weak, and fatigue was setting in.
Joshua helped Owen up. “Maybe you should go upstairs and lie down for a bit. I’ll have the driver take you home later.”
Owen nodded and said to Shermaine, “Sheary, I’m tired. I’m going upstairs to rest.”
Shermaine put the pieces back into the chess box and smiled, “Okay.”
Since Wendelyn was still there, it wasn’t the right time for Shermaine to check Owen’s condition. She figured she’d wait until Wendelyn left and Owen had rested.
“Excuse me, ladies,” Joshua remarked as he helped Owen upstairs. The two of them gradually disappeared around the corner.
Now, only Shermaine and Wendelyn were left in the living room.
Wendelyn felt utterly humiliated. As soon as Joshua and Owen were gone, she couldn’t hold it in anymore. “Shermaine, you clearly knew how to play chess but lied and said you didn’t. You’re way too calculating.”
Shermaine popped a cherry into her mouth and raised an eyebrow. “What, you just can’t handle the fact that I played too well to be a first–timer?”
Wendelyn shot back, “It wasn’t your first time/ She just couldn’t bring herself to admit that after years of learning chess, she still lost to Sher. picked it up instantly and played that well. It felt like a slap in the face.
Shermaine gave a soft laugh. “Sounds like you know the truth deep down. Honestly, you should be grateful I didn’t completely humiliate you.”
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Chapter 12
Owen had been the one to suggest the game, Shermine knew his time was precious and that he genuinely wanted to aprons a co
was why, to avoid wasting time, she hadn’t gone head to head with Wendelyn,
It wasn’t a head on showdown, but it came pretty close.
Wendelyn had hoped to highlight the gap between her and Shermaine so Owen would regret choosing Shermaine.
And the gap was obvious–Wendelyn had lost miserably. She had never felt this humiliated in her life.
Shermaine never went easy on her enemies. Her tone stayed as laid back and proud as ever. “And since you think I’m so calculating, maybe next time don’t come at me with such basic tricks. Honestly, it’s boring.”
Wendelyn looked like she’d just taken a slap to the ego. Her face went pale with rage. She gritted her teeth. “Don’t get cocky.”
“What’s there to be cocky about just because I beat you?” Shermaine replied flatly.
If this weren’t Joshua’s place, that sweet and gentle persona Wendelyn wore would’ve been ripped to shreds by Shermaine’s few simple lines.
Wendelyn scoffed, “What a big ego. Just because you’re back in the Jean family, don’t think that makes you somebody. Everyone knows I’m better than you in every way possible. It’s just chess–what’s so impressive about that?”
Shermaine looked at her. “Then why are you so upset?”
“I’m not,” Wendelyn snapped. “Just wait and see, Shermaine.” With that, she grabbed her purse and walked out.
As soon as Wendelyn left, Shermaine called over Mariam and asked, “Where’s my room?”
Mariam stepped up, polite and proper. “Ma’am, your room is right across from Mr. Joshua York’s. I’ll take you up to drop off your things.”
Shermaine wasn’t used to being called that. “Just call me Shermaine. You don’t need to be so formal.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Mariam nodded.
Shermaine was instantly speechless. ‘Didn’t I just tell her not to call me ma’am?‘ she wondered.
Her luggage had already been brought upstairs by Mariam when she arrived.
Just like Mariam said, Shermaine’s room was across from Joshua’s. As soon as she opened the door and saw the overly pink decor, Shermaine was at a
bit of a loss.
It was full of girly vibes, which wasn’t her thing at all. But she hadn’t planned on treating this place like home anyway, so she figured she’d just deal with
it for now.
Shermaine didn’t bring much luggage, but the room had everything she could possibly need. Skincare and makeup products filled the vanity, row after row, and the walk–in closet was packed with clothes, shoes, and jewelry–all brand new for the season.
Joshua had clearly put a lot of thought into preparing for his fiancée’s move–in. Shermaine stepped out of the walk–in closet and started unpacking the things she had brought.
Besides her usual clothes, there was a stack of design drafts, and most of the remaining space was filled with bottles–whiskey, tequila, sake, and so on. She liked drinking while sketching, always with music playing in the background.
Footsteps sounded outside the door. Shermaine didn’t turn around. “Is there a glass for drinking in this house?” she asked casuallv
But the voice that answered wasn’t Mariam’s. It was Joshua’s. “You really like drinking?”
His voice was low and smooth, like a perfectly aged liquor–intoxicating just to hear. Shermaine wasn’t someone who fell for voices, but even she found
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herself drawn to his voice.
She froze for a second, then turned around and saw Joshua leaning casually against the doorway, tall and refined, still there. His gaze was fixed on her, calm and magnetic.
No matter how many times she looked at Joshua, she still found him absurdly attractive. His face was flawless, and he gave off this mix of mature confidence and raw, alluring masculine energy that was impossible to ignore.
Shermaine said, “Yeah. Got any here?”
Joshua smiled, “Come with me.”
