The next day, news of Joshua and Shermaine’s engagement spread through Basterel’s upper class.
Everyone had assumed that even with her return, Shermaine couldn’t compare to Wendelyn. After all, in their eyes, Shermaine had no education, no polish, and acted like she was entitled to everything. Otherwise, her own mother, Ruth, wouldn’t have been so cold to her.
But no one saw it coming–Shermaine had suddenly become Joshua’s fiancée. And before long, she’d be Mrs. York.
However, Joshua choosing to marry Shermaine really did break a lot of society girls‘ hearts. Some drowned their sorrows in booze, some even dreamed of teaching Shermaine a lesson.
If Joshua had chosen Wendelyn, they wouldn’t have had a problem. Wendelyn was accomplished, elegant, and matched him well. They would’ve accepted it. But they just couldn’t understand why Joshua wanted to marry Shermaine.
Shermaine didn’t care what people were saying. All she knew was that when she woke up that morning, Ruth was suddenly much more polite toward
her.
Ruth said, her tone soft and gentle, “Sheary, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have treated you that way. Can you forgive me?”
Shermaine didn’t call her out. She simply replied without hesitation, “I can.”
“I’ll take better care of you from now on. I’ll treat you well,” Ruth remarked.
Shermaine gave a faint smile, untouched beneath the surface. Still, there was a trace of emptiness inside. She knew Ruth was only playing nice now because Ruth was just starting to fear her after what had happened yesterday.
When Shermaine had gone missing, she was only five years old. After recovering from a high fever, she’d completely lost all memory of the Jean family.
But last night, Shermaine had an unusual dream. She dreamed of Ruth–but the Ruth in her dream and the one in real life couldn’t have been more
different.
One was truly gentle, doting on Shermaine with care. The other was cold and cruel, treating Shermaine like she was nothing.
Since Shermaine’s brother Ross was away on a business trip, there were only four of them at the dinner table. It was quiet. No one spoke.
Toward the end of the meal, Jameson pulled out a bank card. “Shermaine, don’t just stay cooped up at home all day. Go out, do some shopping. Buy whatever you like.”
“Alright,” Shermaine replied, taking the card. If someone was handing out free money, she wasn’t about to say no.
But Jameson wasn’t quite right about one thing–she hadn’t been cooped up at home, and she definitely wasn’t the uneducated, unsophisticated girl from some poor village they all made her out to be.
Shermaine had gone abroad to study at sixteen. Because her work involved too many sensitive dealings, she’d used a few tricks to conceal her personal records. That was why when she casually mentioned never taking the SAT, people completely misunderstood.
If they’d ever cared enough to ask, this kind of misunderstanding wouldn’t have happened in the first place.
Unexpectedly, shortly after she arrived in Basterel, someone had taken a video of her that went viral online. That clip was what led Ross to realize she was the Jean family’s long–lost heiress–his sister who had been missing for fourteen years.
Jameson spoke again, “Wendy, you know Basterel well. Start taking Shermaine out more often, got it?”
Wendelyn answered sweetly, “Got it, Dady
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Chapter 9
Ruth put down her spoon. “Wendy won’t have time. She’s starting her internship at the family company in a couple of days. I’m free though, I can LAKE Sheary out from time to time, show her how we do things around here.”
Jameson, pleased with her cooperative attitude, agreed, “That works.”
Shermaine was rendered speechless, thinking, ‘Seriously? Acting like I’m some clueless country bumpkin?”
“It’s okay, Mom. I can make time,” Wendelyn said.
Shermaine finally spoke slowly, “No need. I’ve got things to do and I might be pretty busy. Besides, it’s not like I don’t have friends in Basteret.”
Jameson had always been used to taking charge, so to him, Shermaine’s polite refusal felt a little defiant, maybe even ungrateful
He said, “Still, don’t spend all your time just hanging out. Once you marry Joshua, you’ll be Mrs. York. You should sign up for some enrichment courses, work on your refinement.” As he spoke, he handed her another bank card.
Shermaine took the bank card without a flicker of emotion. “Thanks, Dad.”
Ruth and Wendelyn were both at a loss for words.
Jameson, feeling more generous than ever, added, “If it’s not enough, just come to me for more.”
Shermaine thought, ‘Joshua must’ve offered something big.‘ Then she said, “Alright.“/
That exchange made Ruth and Wendelyn grind their teeth in rage.
Ruth’s gaze shifted slightly. No one knew what she was scheming.
Then Jameson seemed to remember something. “Sheary, if you don’t have time to pack, just let Peyton help.”
But as soon as he said it, his eyes flicked over to Wendelyn. He figured if Wendelyn found out Shermaine was moving in with Joshua, she wouldn’t take it
well.
Shermaine declined. “I don’t like other people touching my stuff. I’ll pack it myself.”
Ruth pondered, ‘Shermaine’s moving out?‘ She couldn’t help but ask, “Where’s Shermaine moving?”
Jameson paused, then answered slowly, “Joshua’s place.”
Ruth hadn’t expected Shermaine would actually live with Joshua before marriage, so she said, “Isn’t that a bit inappropriate?”
Off to the side, there was a loud clatter as Wendelyn’s knife and fork fell to the floor. She bit her lip, forcing an awkward smile, her eyes rimmed red like she was on the verge of tears.
That pitiful little act was clearly just for Jameson and Ruth to see.
Shermaine took a sip of milk. “Living with Joshua before the wedding was Mr. Owen York’s idea.”
If it was Owen’s decision, Ruth had no say in it.
Under the table, Wendelyn’s hands clenched tightly. “Shermaine, if you don’t want to, you can always say no, can’t you?”
She was clearly upset. “And you’ve just come home, and now you’re moving out again. You’ll barely see your family. What about Ross? Is he okay with this?”
Shermaine licked her lip, set down her glass and tapped her fingers lightly against it. Her posture was lazy, her tone carefree and sultry. “As long as I’m fine with it, Ross has no issue.”
Wendelyn snapped, “What if I have an issue with it?”
גור
Chapter 9
Fri, 30 May
Shermaine gave a cold laugh and shot back, “Not my problem.”
Wendelyn said, “You know-
Jameson cut in. “That’s enough, Wendy. It’s time you let go of whatever feelings you have for Joshua. You’re great, but he chose Shermaine
Wendelyn’s face went pale. After breakfast, she returned to her room, her expression dark and twisted, her eyes full of simmering rage and madness
Ruth knocked and came in. The moment she stepped inside, Wendelyn switched gears, throwing herself onto the bed, sobbing like her heart had shattered.
Ruth handed her a tissue, “Why would you go at Shermaine like that in front of everyone? You know she’s got leverage now. You should’ve taken it slow and played the long game.”
Wendelyn said, “Mom, I don’t want Joshua to be my brother–in–law. I love him. I’d give up my life for him. If he marries Shermaine, ”
“Stop talking nonsense,” Ruth quickly interrupted her, cutting off the rest of her sentence.
Wendelyn kept crying, her sobs low and heavy.
Ruth tried to comfort her, “You shouldn’t be holed up in your room crying. Hurry up and get dressed up. Go to Joshua’s house with Shermaine later. I heard Mr. Owen York will be there.”
“Will Shermaine let me go with her?” Wendelyn asked.
Ruth’s gaze flickered. “No matter what, you’re still family. She wouldn’t go so far as to refuse a simple request like seeing her off. Once you’re there, make sure you leave a good impression on the Yorks, alright?”
Ruth thought to herself, ‘Wendelyn is my adopted daughter and I’ve raised her well. Everyone here in Basterel knows how amazing she is.
‘Meanwhile, Shermaine’s been away from the Jean family for over a decade, and it’s a miracle she didn’t turn out a total mess. How could she possibly compare to Wendy?‘
