He couldn’t let her wreck the good thing he’d planned for Jason. He’d checked with Jason. The crew they’d hired hadn’t been caught. They’d fled after the earthquake, so no one knew their plan. Shermaine had no leverage there,
Jameson looked pissed but forced himself to hold it in. “What are you doing here?”
“Just came to watch you fix up a nice marriage for your precious son.” Shermaine walked in and took a seat beside Tim
Jameson seethed but didn’t dare show it.
Tim greeted Shermaine warmly. “Sheary, long time no see.” When he came to Basterel, he’d wanted to meet her for a meal, but she was swamped, and he was tied up with business. They’d never found the time.
“Long time no see, Mr. Shelly,” Shermaine replied.
“When was our last meetup?” Tim asked.
Shermaine had a steel trap memory. “Two years back at Sterling University,”
Tim snapped his fingers. “Right. You were teaching a master’s class. I tagged along with Danielle. Even then I thought you were a Wallington pride, becoming a prodigy professor at Sterling so young.”
Shermaine smiled. Being a Sterling professor was just one gig. She had appointments at other top schools too. “You flatter me, Mr. Shelly. Just standard
Tim boomed with laughter.
From anyone else, that might sound cocky. But from Shermaine, it felt totally natural. Like she said, just standard stuff.
Their chitchat left Jameson and Jason gaping.
“What the hell is Tim talking about? Shermaine, a Sterling University professor? That couldn’t be. How old is she anyway?‘ Jameson and Jason wondered.
Jameson had assumed Shermaine’d only gotten close to Danielle and even celebrities like Trance abroad by using her looks and schemes. But the reality was the exact opposite.
Shermaine wasn’t just a tech world legend. She was also a professor a top foreign university. How many people her age could claim that?
In Jameson’s 50–plus years, he’d never seen anyone else’s daughter this brilliant. Even his pride and joy, Jason, looked ordinary next to her.
Jameson had to admit that Shermaine was amazing–more than he could have imagined. But none of that mattered to him now.
‘No matter how talented she is, she isn’t a man. That thought comforted him.
Tim steered the conversation back on track. “Sheary, when you said earlier that Jason wasn’t Danielle’s savior…”
But if anyone was spouting nonsense, Jameson took the prize.
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Jason knew Jameson would have his back, so he stayed silent.
But any trace of hope was gone. He’d sensed danger the moment Shermaine walked in.
Jameson was cunning, trying to paint Shermaine as someone abusing Joshua’s protection. But no one there was dumb enough to buy that.
Besides, Tim had learned from Joshua last night about Jameson’s schemes. A marriage alliance was fine, but he’d never let Danielle marry Jason.
Shermaine crossed her legs, with a lazy smile on her lips but cold, piercing eyes. “Mr. Jean, do you really think you can pull the wool over everyone’s eyes?”
“At your age, that’s not naivety. It’s stupidity,” she added, her voice dripping with disdain.
Jameson had never been talked to like that. ‘How dare she point a finger and curse at me? This is unthinkable, he thought.
“What have I done to deserve these lies? You’re not just slandering your father. You’re insulting me. How did I end up with such an ungrateful daughter?”
In reply, Shermaine tossed a stack of photos at his feet. As they fanned out, Jameson’s face turned ashen.
Then, without warning, the ward’s screen–previously off–flashed on, playing a video of Jameson’s assistant bribing kidnappers. With the kidnappers already confessing, he had no leg to stand on.
Evidence? Shermaine always had it. Even if Jason deleted everything, she could recover it.
She said, “First you planned Danielle’s kidnapping so Jason could play hero, then you tried to have Ross killed. Now the proof is staring you in the face. What’s your excuse?”
Planning a kidnapping was still a crime.
As for offing Ross, Jameson had only wanted to maim him, not kill him.
‘But these guys went after Ross? How the hell did that happen?‘ he wondered.
Jameson’s face turned deathly pale. With Tim watching, he blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “Shermaine, this is a setup. I never did any of this. Your evidence is fake.”
How could he admit it? Confessing would kill Jason’s chances with the Shelly family and Danielle.
Jameson turned to Tim. “Tim, you’ve got to believe me. I had nothing to do with this. Shermaine’s jealous of Jason, so she’s trying to frame us.”
Tim let out a scornful snort, dropping all pretense of politeness. He’d been waiting for Shermaine to expose their lies, and now he felt downright satisfied, especially when she called Jameson an idiot. Tim couldn’t agree more.
‘Jameson’s a fool. Why throw away his good wife and kids? What else could he be?‘ Tim thought.
Tim had zero respect for Jason. The guy was rotten to the core, and his shady schemes were bound to blow up in his face.
Next to Ross, he didn’t stand a chance. If Jason took over Jean Group, it might as well belong to a stranger. Since the Jean family disowned him, he might
as well be one.
Tim snapped, “Shut your mouth. Do you think I don’t know about you? The cops will figure out who’s lying.”
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Chapter 324
‘What? Tim called the cops?‘ Jameson gasped, his face turning ashen.
“If you’re behind this, you can’t escape. I won’t let you or your accomplices off the hook. Tim adored his only daughter, and Jameson had violated his biggest taboo by targeting Danielle.
The police had been lying in wait. Moments later, they appeared at the door and stepped inside, addressing Jameson and Jason. “Please come with us to the station for questioning.”
Jameson still tried to shield Jason. “My son has nothing to do with this. Question me instead.” He wasn’t about to go quietly. Once at the station, he’d call his lawyer and deny everything. How could they prove anything?
Danielle hadn’t been seriously harmed, and he hadn’t ordered the hit on Ross. Only one person could have used his account to contact those guys- Natalie.
Natalie had tried to kill Ross behind his back. Jameson seethed. ‘How could she be so vicious, dragging me into this mess?‘
“Our investigation shows Jason wasn’t uninvolved in the kidnapping. Save your excuses. If you’re innocent, we’ll clear you,” the police stated.
Jason clenched his jaw, glaring at Shermaine with murderous rage. He wanted to strangle her. She was the reason he’d never get ahead.
After they left with the police, Shermaine felt a flicker of vindication for Ross, but it was far from satisfying.
This was just the first strike–barely a scratch. Next, she’d make them suffer.
She’d expected them to hold their nerves for a few days, but they’d rushed to Tim the second Jason returned, trying to snatch Danielle away.
‘Danielle belongs to Ross. Jason doesn’t deserve a second glance.’ That was what Shermaine had thought the first time she met Jason.
While the drama raged elsewhere, Ross‘ room was downright cozy, filled with a romantic buzz.
Danielle was unbuttoning his hospital gown, her hands trembling slightly.
Noticing, Ross smiled warmly, “Dr. Shelly, are you nervous?”
Danielle’s ears flushed. “You’re seeing things,” she huffed.
Looking at the delicate beauty before him, Ross figured she was shy. He teased, “Danielle, you weren’t like this before.”
She had no idea why she was jittery. Normally, she’d yank his clothes off without a second thought–eager to help.
Now she felt ridiculously timid. ‘It’s just taking off a shirt, for god’s sake, she thought.
Annoyed, she shot back, “Well, you weren’t like this before either.” With a sharp tug, several buttons popped off, exposing the bandage around his abdomen.
The gauze was stained red at the wound site. Even wrapped in bandages, his toned build was obvious.
Ross dropped his gaze. “That’s why I regret it.”
But Danielle wasn’t in the mood for sweet talk. Eyeing the injury, she said, “Less chit–chat. Stay put.”
He fell silent obediently.
As she unwrapped the gauze and applied new ointment, she saw his furrowed brow. “Does it sting?”
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“A little.”
She leaned down and blew softly on the wound, like calming a kid. “Almost done. Hang tight.”
Ross could take the pain, but her breath sent a tingle through him, making him smile softly.
Just then, Roy and Henry peeked in and saw the scene. Instantly green with envy, they thought, ‘First we had to swallow Joshua’s couple crap, and now we’ll be stuck with Ross and Danielle’s lovey–dovey bullshit too.‘
Once Danielle finished changing Ross‘ bandages and wrapping new gauze around his wound, Ruth came back with food. She found the others loitering outside. “What are you waiting for?”
“The air’s way too sweet in there. Our teeth can’t handle it,” Roy quipped.
Ruth snorted, catching the sarcasm. “You’ll survive. Let’s go in.”
They walked inside.
The moment Ross saw Henry smirking, his expression turned icy. He clearly saw Henry as a competitor.
He hadn’t forgotten how his grandmother set Henry up with Danielle, and how Henry never said no.
In the next room, Joshua had been quietly peeling an orange, feeding segments straight to Shermaine without eating any himself.
“I’m good,” Shermaine said.
“You talked so much earlier. Have some to wet your whistle,” Joshua said.
When Shermaine tried to protest, Joshua’s insistent look made her give in.
The fruit was sweet and juicy.
Joshua couldn’t seem to stop feeding her. “Hungry for a late–night snack?”
“Could go for something.”
“I’ll whip something up when we get home.”
“Sure.”
Before long, the whole orange was gone.
Tim cleared his throat pointedly, thinking, ‘These two lovebirds are so smitten. They’ll probably have kids next.‘
Meanwhile in the dermatology ward, Natalie nearly ripped out her IV when she heard Jason and Jameson hauled to the station. Panicked and seething,
she stormed over.
Jameson can sink or swim, but my son is off–limits,‘ she thought.
Just as Shermaine and Joshua headed toward Ross‘ room, Natalie appeared, with a mask hiding her blotchy, allergic face. “Shermaine, leave Jason alone. Touch him and I’ll ruin you!”
Shermaine gave her a disapproving look. “You’re all talk”
Furious, Natalie lunged, but Joshua blocked her easily, shoving her back. He said indifferently with a cold face, “Do you think I’ll just stand by and
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watch?”
No one laid a hand on Shermaine. Well, except in the bedroom.
མི་སྣ་་ནང་་་ར་
At the sight of Joshua, Natalie’s sanity snapped back into place, though fear still gripped her. “Shermaine, don’t think having a bodyguard makes you invincible. Remember my words. Cross me and I’ll drag you down with me, even
if
we both sink.”
“Pathetic,” Shermaine said coolly.
Natalie’s chest tightened with frustration.
Shermaine locked eyes with her, enunciating each syllable. “You and Jason,
Natalie longed to lunge and claw that mocking face, but terror held her back. Plus, her skin itched unbearably, driving her to flee.
neither
Of
fyou is escaping.”
slimy things squirmed under the skin like bugs, She bolted to the restroom, tore off her mask, and stared into the mirror. Half her face looked rotted as revolting bugs. Gradually they multiplied, crawling over every inch. With a scream, her eyes rolled back and she crumpled.
When Jason heard his mother had collapsed in the hospital, he knew her allergic reaction was no accident. Someone had spiked her food. His expression
my darkening, he grabbed a cop’s arm. “I’m reporting attempted murder. Someone tried to kill
mother.”
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The cop was thrown for a loop by Jason’s move. He was still a suspect himself, not cleared of charges, and now he wanted to press charges against
someone else?
The officer scowled. “Who are you reporting?”
“Shermaine,” Jason replied.
The cop thought, ‘Talk about bold. “Why accuse her?”
“I think Shermaine spiked my mom’s beef and wine this afternoon. That’s why she’s in the hospital in bad shape,” Jason said.
“Think? So you have no proof, just a wild guess.”
Jason’s expression turned grim. “Just do your job and check.”
The officer didn’t feel like humoring him, but professional duty won out. ‘If the investigation turns up nothing, he will be hit with false reporting and defamation,‘ he thought.
First, he verified Natalie’s condition–severe allergic reaction with hallucinations of bugs, now sedated and unconscious in the hospital.
But the probe came up empty. La Terraza Winery insisted their food hadn’t been tampered with from prep to table, and the hospital confirmed the allergy wasn’t triggered by food.
רש
With the hospital’s findings, the cop had no reason to keep investigating. He returned to give Jason the news.
“That can’t be right.” Jason exploded. “Shermaine had to be behind this.”
The cop maintained a stern expression. “This is the official conclusion.”
O
“Useless,” Jason spat, his face darkening. “My mom was attacked, and you can’t find squat. Maybe you’re on her payroll too.”
The officer wasn’t riled–just certain Jason was headed for a cell. False reporting was one thing, but insulting a cop’s honor? That was crossing the line.
So that night, the lawyer failed to get Jason or Jameson released. Both ended up in the police station.
Jameson’s testimony that night completely cleared Jason and Natalie, manning up to take all the blame for the crimes. He was staring down prison time but wasn’t too worried. After all, years in Basterel had given him connections to weasel out of trouble.
ཌ་ཞ་འཚོ་ཚན་ཆེ་ཕོ་ཆ
Besides, blood was blood. He couldn’t believe Ross and Shermaine would be that heartless. He’d call Janice tomorrow. His mother wouldn’t let
Shermaine put him behind bars.
But Jason had blown it, running his mouth and ending up in the police station. ‘The kid has no sense–nothing like Shermaine,‘ Jameson thought.
Looking at Jason now, Jameson felt nothing but irritation.
Still, he’d coddled the boy his whole life. “Jason, rein it in next time.”
Gone was the dutiful son. Jason was all snarls. “What’d I do wrong? Shermaine did this to Mom. The cops are useless. They found nothing. What else are they but losers?”
Jameson might be an idiot when it came to family, but he saw straight there. “Shermaine outsmarted the cops. If you had half her brains, would we be sitting here?
“Instead of reflecting on yourself, you let your temper take over. I’m seriously disappointed.”
The second Jameson thought Jason couldn’t hold a candle to Shermaine, he’d already lost completely.
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Jason went cold all over at Jameson’s words. His father was clearly impressed by Shermaine now, even implying she outclassed him.
Panic surged through him. He dropped his gaze. “Sorry, Dad. I messed up. I just wanted to protect Mom.”
Jameson patted his shoulder, but his touch held no warmth. “Jason, when you targeted Ross, you should’ve known Shermaine wouldn’t let it slide. Your mom brought this on herself.”
Jason had no comeback.
A scowl twisted Jameson’s face. “Natalie’s gone too far–pulling strings against Ross behind my back, using my name like it’s hers.”
Jason stared, stunned. He’d expected Jameson to forgive his mother’s actions out of love, but the opposite happened.
The next morning. Jameson’s lawyer showed up at Jean Villa, asking Janice to visit the police station.
News of the mess had spread through the family. Andrew tried pleading Jameson’s case, but Brandon stayed mum.
Janice took a sip of coffee. “He only remembers I’m his mother when he’s in trouble. Did he listen when I told him to ditch that mistress?”
The lawyer kept it businesslike. “Mrs. Jean, I’m sure Mr. Jameson Jean realizes his mistake.”
“Too little, too late.” Janice slammed her cup down. “I haven’t disowned him out of old sentiment, but he’s acting like a fool. He deserves every bit of
this.
“Tell him I won’t lift a finger. He can forget about my help.”
Back at the station, the lawyer repeated Janice’s words verbatim. Jameson felt a pang of disbelief. Once a mother’s trust was broken, she didn’t meddle. He bitterly regretted parading his relationship with Natalie.
If only he’d been more discreet, with Janice’s support, he could’ve avoided this mess.
Ross was still in the hospital, and during his stay, Shermaine had persuaded him to hand over authority. So she was still serving as acting CEO of Jean Group.
The first thing Shermaine did when she got to the office was start reviewing the company’s financial records. No one knew how much of the ten billion dollars Jameson had spent came from corporate accounts.
If any of it turned out to be company money, he’d definitely lose his position.
In the meantime, Ruth had moved out.
She’d signed the new divorce agreement and sent it to Jameson. Once he was released from the police station, the divorce would definitely go through.
When Jameson saw the agreement, he thought about how kind Ruth had been to Richard and felt a sharp ache. Holding the pen, he kept putting off signing.
“Mr. Jean, please sign as soon as possible. Don’t waste my time,” said Ruth’s divorce lawyer.
The new agreement stated that Ruth wasn’t asking for any money. She was leaving with nothing.
Jameson had no choice but to sign.
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If anyone was over the moon about Ruth’s divorce, it was Richard.
The day she moved out, he even showed up to lend a hand.
After unloading the last box, Ruth realized the place still needed some furniture, so she headed to the furniture store downstairs.
Richard tagged along like a loyal puppy.
A lovey–dovey couple ahead was too wrapped up in each other to watch where they were going. As they nearly crashed into Ruth, Richard pulled her close to his side.
Still not used to his touch, Ruth snapped, “Richard, what’s the big idea?”
He looked hurt. “Ruthie, I just didn’t want them to knock you over.”
Feeling bad for overreacting, she said, “Sorry.” Now single for real, she had no reason to hold back, but old habits were hard to break.
Besides, Richard had always been too respectful. When she said she wasn’t comfortable, he never crossed the line.
The man was a genuine sweetheart.
“Okay, Ruthie, I get it,” he said.
After picking out furniture, she stopped by the next–door supermarket to buy groceries, planning to make lunch and prepare nutritious meals for Ross.
She invited Richard to stay.
He was thrilled, still trailing her like a shadow.
At Jean Group, Shermaine’s return had certain executives on Jameson’s payroll on edge.
In just two days, she’d fired several top brass.
To add to the tension, Joshua showed up daily for lunch and never missed her quitting time, making it clear how much he adored her.
Executives unhappy with her authority kept mum. One wrong word to Joshua could mean trouble.
Joshua’s business style was cutthroat. Take Black River Company as an example. It was practically bankrupt, but the Wright family was still hanging on, too proud to file for bankruptcy.
Shermaine wasn’t just poring over company accounts. She was investigating Jameson’s personal finances, too. Her days of hard work finally paid off. She’d tracked down where most of that ten billion dollars had originated, along with years of expenses where he’d embezzled from corporate funds.
Joshua stopped by for lunch, but Shermaine, buried in work, could easily tune out even his presence–just like when she got lost in her numbers.
Seeing it was well past noon and she showed no signs of stopping, Joshua walked over and lifted her right out of her office chair.
Shermaine jolted. “Joshua, what’s going on?”
“Time to eat,” Joshua said.
“I’m not hungry.”
“Lunchtime’s here.” He carried her to the sofa, tilted her face up, and nipped her lower lip. “Sheary, don’t overdo it.”
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“I’m good,” she said bluntly
Thank goodness she was only a major shareholder in Oliger Company which she and Lily owned. If she had to run it, she’d he busier than him
“Let me finish these files first,” she said, trying to head back to her desk.
But Joshua pressed her against the sofa. “Still not hungry?”
“Nope.”
He didn’t reply, just deepened the kiss, his hands wandering to stoke the heat.
She wore a white silk blouse today to play the CEO role, paired with a black pencil skirt, her blazer hanging on the chair.
Seconds later, two blouse buttons were undone as he kissed her collarbone. “One last time, hungry now?”
Her lips were flushed and glossy, like ripe cherries. She arched an eyebrow. “Not in the slightest.”
Joshua laughed, nipping at her ear. “Sheary, you’re not being good at all.”
“When have I ever been good?”
“You were on my birthday.” Joshua brought up that night–how obedient Shermaine had been, letting him do whatever he wanted without protest.
The thought got his blood boiling, making him want to pin her down and have an intimate moment with her right there and then.
Shermaine looked him straight in the eye, yanking his tie. “Joshua, behave. Let me finish this document first.” She added, “Five minutes.”
Joshua had no choice but to give in, pecking her lips. “Ms. Jean, you need to keep your word. I’ll be timing you.”
As she pushed him away and sat up, her collar hung open, making Joshua’s Adam’s apple bob. His gaze grew hot.
Shermaine sensed his intention. “Don’t even think about it.”
“Oh, I am thinking.”
She stood and went back to her desk, resuming work.
Joshua sat on the sofa, tugging at his tie. The more he tried to suppress his thoughts, the stronger they became.
Shermaine in her business suit was just as irresistible as she’d been in that bunny costume on his birthday.
Exactly five minutes later, Shermaine kept her promise, joining Joshua in the company cafeteria.
Jean Group’s chef really knew how to cook.
When the two showed up, employees having lunch were stunned. Maybe because of the imposing presence of the two big shots, everyone felt restless while eating.
Jameson had just been bailed out of the police station. Without time to rest, he received a call from the company saying Shermaine was holding another shareholder meeting.
‘What’s Shermaine up to now, holding another shareholder meeting?‘ he wondered.
All in all, a very bad feeling welled up in his heart.
Without much time to take care of himself, Jameson went straight to the company.
Jason, who held shares, naturally went with him.
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Chapter 127
After spending a few days in the police station, Paling and sleeping benity, he no longer forked high spirited at at
ben Jameson suived Sharmaine in her pan en radiated with authority that
howlng He snapped. “Sharmaine, what’s the print of calling this chareholder meeting
“You see in a minute,” she replied.
Jameson took his seat, determined to find but her game.
stready sired contrat
As shareholders trickled in, the meeting quickly turned to its main agenda, and Jameson realized it was called to oust him as chairman. His face paled
with shock as he stared at his daughter.
“All in favor of removing Jameson as chairman, please raise your hand,” she said, presenting evidence of his embezzlement.
To his horror, eight out of ten shareholders voted yes. Embezzling corporate funds was a grave offense, especially given the large amount involved. And even his majority shares couldn’t save him now.
He had to repay every cent or face a lawsuit from the company.
With overwhelming support for his removal, Shermaine didn’t bother counting. “Jameson, you’re no longer chairman of Jean Group. Repay the
misappropriated funds within three days.”
Jameson’s eyes reddened, his face twisting in fury. “Shermaine, do you want to destroy me?”
Shermaine’s voice was flat. “Aren’t these consequences of your own actions?”
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Shermaine’s words landed like a barrage of daggers in Jameson’s chest, piercing him with excruciating pain. He was consumed by misery.
How is this my own doing?‘ he thought.
He refused to accept it. He thought, ‘Why should my current choices be labeled self–inflicted? I
didn’t misjudge people.
‘How many
men could stand having a wife more successful than themselves?”
‘If Shermaine and Ross had been half as dutiful and compliant as Jason, would I have ignored them? Would I have treated them like strangers? How is this all my fault?‘
But Jameson overlooked a crucial fact–relationships were two–way. How could he demand from others what he himself hadn’t given?
Overcome with rage, he lunged to strike Shermaine, only to be blocked before reaching her.
This wasn’t the first time Jameson realized how daunting it was to cross his powerhouse daughter. He was no match for her.
After the meeting, Shermaine swept out in triumph. By the time Ross recovered and returned, she’d have purged most of the corrupt figures from the
company.
Jameson stayed in the conference room, utterly overwhelmed.
He’d embezzled five billion dollars. Failing to repay it would mean another lawsuit. Problems kept piling up.
‘Why did Shermaine come back after all those years? Things would’ve been better if she’d never returned,‘ he thought.
As this thought hit him, a wave of powerlessness washed over him, followed by dizziness. A warm trickle ran from his nose. When he touched it, his hand came away bloody.
He brushed it off as leftover effects from poor food and sleep in the police station.
With Jameson removed as chairman, Jason would never enter Jean Group’s inner circle. The shares he held were now worthless.
The two left the building in utter disgrace.
“Dad, I’m heading to the hospital to see Mom. You coming?” Jason asked as they left Jean Group.
“Go on your own. I’m not in the mood,” Jameson snapped, striding off.
At Yaleview Hospital, Natalie’s condition had stabilized, but the areas where the allergic reaction had flared now bore dark, stubborn scars.
Holding a hand mirror, she saw the blotchy marks–like permanent black birthmarks–and flew into a rage, smashing the mirror against the wall.
She thought, ‘How could I keep Jameson hooked looking like this? Even if I use that aphrodisiac perfume to stoke his desire, will he still find me
attractive?‘
Spotting Jason, she demanded, “What’s the update? Did you fix this mess?”
Jason hesitated before confessing, “Mom, Dad got removed as chairman. Shermaine did it.”
“What?” Natalie gasped, stunned. “That bitch had the right to do so?”
“Some of the ten billion dollars Dad gave you came from embezzled company funds. Shermaine found the evidence,” Jason explained.
Natalie’s face paled. Years of scheming had gone up in smoke. “Your dad’s a pathetic fool. Letting a nobody like Shermaine take him down. He couldn’t even marry me, and now he has lost everything.”
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Jameson, who’d initially decided not to visit, had a change of heart. Fueled by guilt and lingering attraction, he turned back, only to overhear Natalie. trashing him as a failure.
AD
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Jameson stopped dead in his tracks at the door.
‘Is this really the same woman I know–soft–spoken, who once treated me like her entire world? How quickly Natalie revealed her ugly side now that I’m down on my luck,‘ he thought.
“Mom. cut Dad some slack,” Jason pleaded.
“What’s the harm in telling the truth? He’s a failure. If he weren’t, would I still be stuck in the shadows? Would you still get called a bastard?” Natalie retorted.
Jason wasn’t as resentful as his mother. He knew firsthand how well Jameson had treated him–light–years better than Shermaine or Ross.
As siblings, he already felt he’d come out on top.
Jameson stood stunned as if trapped in an unreal dream. Overwhelmed, he turned and walked away without entering.
For all her complaining, Natalie had no plans to leave Jameson. Looking like this, she doubted she could attract another man. Best to play it safe and wait.
Jason only blamed himself, hated that he wasn’t as powerful as Shermaine, and hated his repeated losses that had led him and his parents there.
He thought, ‘Why couldn’t Shermaine just die? And Ross–why didn’t he die in Lightspring City? How is he alive, and worse, how did he steal Dr. Shelly, the woman I want?‘
Like father, like son. He never once took responsibility for his own failures.
In the adjacent ward, Ross, with his extraordinary healing, was already on his feet within days, despite nurses warning that his stitches were still fragile and too much movement could reopen the wound.
Danielle had a huge circle of friends. After returning injured from Lightspring City, she had so many daily visitors that Ross barely got a moment alone with her.
As yellow leaves blew in on the crisp wind, Ross tossed aside his blankets, stood up, and headed straight to the next room.
At that moment, Danielle was hosting a friend who’d traveled far to visit her. Being from old–money families, they’d known each other since childhood, so the sight of them sitting together chatting was warmly intimate.
The man,
Conan Yaeger, was two years Danielle’s senior. As a pianist, he had an artistic air–refined, upbeat, and as agreeable as a spring day.
His face practically radiated kindness.
Standing outside, Ross watched Danielle take a peeled apple from Conan. She took a bite and said casually, “Thanks.”
“Since when do we need to be polite?” Conan grinned.
“Fair point.”
They’d been friends since toddlerhood. If neither had seen the other romantically, their families would’ve pushed for a relationship ages ago.
Outside the door, Ross‘ expression darkened. The primal possessiveness of a man for someone he liked was rising, making him feel as sour as biting into
a lemon.
“Mr. Jean, how many times have I told you not to keep getting up?” the nurse chided, spotting him by the neighboring ward. “You could rip your
stitches.”
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Inside, Danielle turned at the voice and saw Ross standing outside, wearing a clear scowl.
She took another bite of the apple. When she noticed Ross‘ eyes landing on Conan beside her, she smiled.
If I’m right, is Ross jealous of Conan?‘ she thought.
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“Mr. Jean, I must insist you return to your ward and rest immediately,” the nurse warned, playing her final card. “Or I’ll have to call Dr. Jean
Ross dropped his eyes, saying nothing as he turned and retreated to the adjacent room,
Inside, Conan noticed Danielle’s simile and asked curiously, “Is that the guy you like?”
“Yep,” she answered.
“You’ve always had a type,” he chuckled. It was uncanny–somehow there really was a man who seemed designed to her specifications, captivating her at every turn.
Danielle’s smile stayed put. “No, it’s just Ross now. I’d like him no matter what.” She’d spent days coming to terms with her growing feelings, but after so many rejections, she was waiting for him to make a move.
At nine that night, Conan finally left. With a cast on her leg, Danielle couldn’t walk him downstairs, only seeing him to the ward door
The moment Conan was gone, Danielle debated checking on Ross. Before she decided, her phone pinged with a message: [Come here.]
She tucked her phone away, grabbed her crutches, and headed to his room.
Ross was propped up in bed, a book on the nearby nightstand. When she sat down in front of him, he couldn’t hold back. “Who is he?”
“Childhood friend,” Danielle replied, her serene smile turning sly. “My dad loves him. He’s been trying to set us up.”
Though Ross had saved her life, Tim still disliked him because of his past rumors.
Ross frowned, pressing his lips into a tight line.
Danielle rarely saw him like this. Unable to resist, she shuffled closer, fiddling with the buttons on his collar to flirt with him. Unlike the shyness of days
before, she was a different person now.
“Ross, are you jealous?” she murmured, her fingers brushing his Adam’s apple as she toyed with his buttons. The softness in her voice made his chest tighten.
Ross didn’t flinch. He caught her hand and said flatly, “Yes. I am.”
“What’s there to do? You’re not my boyfriend, so you can’t be jealous.”
Ross felt a sharp pang. He wanted that title. “Danielle, let me be your boyfriend. Okay?” His warm voice dropped to a husky murmur as if luring her into a
trance.
Danielle nearly nodded yes but caught herself just in time. Inside, she was ecstatic.
Ross had finally made a move.
“Next time I want to kiss you, will you still push me away?” she asked.
Ross shook his head. The rejections before? He’d only held back because she tempted him too much. “Danielle, I’d love it if you kissed me.”
She pressed on. “If I want you, will you give yourself to me?”
“Once I heal, whatever you want is yours.”
‘Fair enough,’ Danielle thought.
She blushed but recovered quickly.
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She’d always been flirty with Ross. Earlier shyness was just because her feelings had grown too strong, leaving her tongus fier
“Stay put,” she smiled. “I’m kissing you.”
“Go ahead.”
Danielle leaned in, pressing her lips to his. The kiss was messy, but Ross wasn’t a saint. And Danielle’s boldness? It drove him wild.
When she pulled back, satisfied, she licked her lips.
Ross, ready to kiss her back, was left dazed–overheated, itching to drag her into his arms and keep kissing until he’d had his fill.
“Danielle,” he breathed, gripping her hand–clear intent to keep going.
She pecked the corner of his mouth, half–teasing, “Don’t move. We can’t risk your stitches.”
Ross thought, ‘She’s cruel–stirring me up and then leaving me hanging.
The company gave Jameson just three days to repay the embezzled funds. He had no choice but to sell off part of his shares, several properties, cars, and valuable collectibles, barely scraping together five billion dollars to cover the shortfall.
Now, aside from his unsold shares, his net worth
tanked, with liquid assets of less than 300 thousand dollars.
Still, he faced pending lawsuits from Tim and Ross. In just over a week, he looked a decade older.
Even though Natalie called him a failure behind his back, she was still his woman and the mother of his son. He couldn’t lose Ruth and then Natalie too. That would be a total disaster.
But after the allergic reaction, Natalie’s dark scars wouldn’t fade, and her temper grew increasingly volatile. She often lashed out at him, and now, simply because she didn’t get the food she wanted, she started hitting and cursing him.
Jameson had never tolerated such abuse from anyone except Ruth. He snapped, “Natalie, are you done yet?” His face turned icy as he slapped her back.
“How dare you hit me?” Natalie roared.
“Stop throwing baseless tantrums.”
“Don’t you realize I’m the one keeping this family afloat now? With those measly shares, do you really think you can bounce back?” Natalie yelled..
Jameson grabbed her hair and snarled, “That money came from me in the first place. How dare you talk back using my own cash? Who do you think you are? Look at yourself. If you keep this up, don’t blame me for getting rough.”
When Jason came home to the chaotic scene of shouting and destruction, he couldn’t stand it and stormed out again.
Thanksgiving arrived quickly–a time meant for family reunions.
Jameson tried to return to Jean Villa, but Janice turned him away, saying she’d never let him set foot inside unless he cut all ties with Natalie.
After weighing his options, he still couldn’t bring himself to abandon Natalie and Jason. They’d spent so many years together. Even with their relationship in shambles, his feelings for them lingered.
Then he received a document out of the blue–records of Natalie’s gender reassignment surgery at 18 in Moranta. The truth hit him like a punch. The woman he’d left his family for was transgender.
Instantly, nausea flooded his body.
Jameson felt a rush of heat to his head, his vision swam, and he
collapsed at home.
When Ruth learned Jameson had seen the files about Natalie’s surgery, the bitterness in her heart finally lifted.
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Richard thought Jameson got exactly what he deserved -no sympathy needed. After confirming that even if Ruth regained her memory, and held ver affection for Jameson, he finally relaxed.
At York Residence, Joshua was helping Shermaine pack. She was departing for Ustrana at dawn to attend a math conference. He wanted to join her, but work obligations kept him rooted.
Right now, Shermaine had just wrapped up a video conference in the study. After debriefing her team, she started to head to her room for a shower, only to have Joshua enter before she could stand. He scooped her into his arms and set her on the desk.
Resting his forehead against hers, he whispered a question in her ear.
AD
“Absolutely not,” Shermaine said sternly.
Wearing a bunny costume last time was her breaking point. Now Joshua wanted to have sex in such a formal setting? He was crossing boundaries more and more, constantly reshaping her perception of him.
Joshua took his time, kissing her palms and earlobes with deliberate patience. His voice was velvety soft. “Baby, just this once.”
Shermaine held her ground. Men shouldn’t be coddled. Her indulgence of Joshua was exactly why he kept making such outrageous requests.
His eyes were deep and alluring, crinkling with a smile that seemed to trap her in a starry night. Gazing into them, she felt utterly ensnared.
The intensity of his stare made her flush. She covered his eyes, but it didn’t faze him. His words still sent her pulse racing. “You leave for Ustrana in the morning for a week. I’ll miss you like crazy.”
Worn down by his persistence, she caved finally. “Fine, but make it snappy.”
She always lost her resolve with Joshua. No use overthinking. She wasn’t about to self–criticize.
Chuckling at his success, Joshua guided her hand from his face. “Sheary, you know me,” he murmured, leaning in to kiss her. “Speed isn’t my forte.”
Shermaine thought, ‘He’s once reserved, now bold.‘ She traced his jaw. “Forty minutes max.”
“Deal,” he smiled, lowering his head to claim her lips. His arm wrapped around her waist as he began what spring does to cherry trees.
The desk’s height was perfect–Shermaine seated on its edge, Joshua bending to kiss her. The scene was a poetic tableau, too entrancing to look away.
Outside, the full moon, flustered by the intimate shadows within, hid bashfully behind the clouds.
It was Thanksgiving Day.
Shermaine thought with a rueful smile, ‘Once you start, it’s never just a one–time thing.‘
They’d had sex in the study, then again in the shower.
A
Joshua had boundless energy. When she finally emerged, hair dripping, she sank into a chair in a cream nightgown. Joshua, in nothing but pajama pants, took a hairdryer and started drying her hair.
Joshua said, “Grandpa made you cookies this afternoon. Want to try them?” Shermaine had been too busy since she got back to eat.
“Let’s open a bottle of red wine, too,” she said.
“Got it.”
After drying her hair, Joshua went to grab the wine and cookies. The second–floor balcony had a hanging chair.
He poured the wine, sat beside her, and they clinked glasses.
From their spot, the bright full moon shone clear. A cool autumn breeze blew, and Joshua draped a blanket over her. “Don’t get cold.”
Shermaine shuffled closer. “Don’t just cover me. Let’s share it.”
Soon enough, she was sitting on his lap, wrapped together in the soft wool blanket. They ate cookies, sipped wine, and watched the moon. Shermaine was nestled in his arms, her eyes growing heavy, and she fell asleep.
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Joshua’s gaze was filled with adoration as he kissed her forehead gently, then carried her inside.
Elsewhere, the shattered Jameson woke in the hospital. He still couldn’t digest the truth. Nausea roiled in his stomach. He thought, ‘How could Matalie be transgender? It has to be a fake document Janice created to split us up. It must be.‘
AD
As Jameson dwelled on this, the doctor suddenly stepped in. “You’re awake, Mr. Jean.”
Jameson barely spared the doctor a thought at first.
But then came the bombshell. “Mr. Jean, your health is in decline. Your heart and kidneys won’t last more than a few years.”
“Wait, my heart?‘ Jameson thought. ‘What the hell is wrong with my heart?‘
His face went ashen. “How can my heart and kidneys be failing?” He had annual checkups. Every report said he was in good shape. How could this happen overnight?
“It’s tied to your long–term use of a rare narcotic,” the doctor said.
Narcotic? He’d never touched drugs in his life.
Jameson grew frantic. “I don’t do drugs. Are you sure you got the wrong guy, doctor?”
“Positive. This drug triggers an intense sexual addiction to a specific person, along with severe dependency.
“Is there someone in your life with a unique, intoxicating scent? Someone who gives you something to eat before being intimate?”
Jameson’s mind snapped to Natalie. He couldn’t remember when it started, but she’d made him chew a piece of gum before every kiss, claiming she was germophobic and hated the smell of smoke or liquor.
He’d never questioned it. He smoked and drank, so he figured she was just picky. He always chewed the gum.
No wonder he was never bored with Natalie. Every encounter left him electrified. The strange fragrance on her skin always sent his pulse racing. So that was why he couldn’t get enough of her–she’d been drugging him all along.
In an instant, Jameson felt a murderous urge toward Natalie. The woman had resorted to every sleazy trick to stay in his life.
He’d actually wanted to make her his legitimate wife, and she’d drugged him. If he died, she and Jason would inherit his estate.
‘My medical reports must have been tampered with. How else could annual checkups have missed this?‘ he thought.
Thinking of Jason–was he even his son? If Natalie was transgender, she might not have a functional reproductive system. That would mean Jason might not be his biological child.
Rage consumed him, but then came sudden palpitations and dizziness as if death were imminent. He grabbed the doctor’s hand in desperation. “Doctor, is there any hope?”
The doctor replied, “Your kidney can be treated. We can remove the damaged one. But as for your heart, you’ll need a transplant.”
Losing a kidney was already devastating, but a heart transplant?
“How risky is the surgery?” Jameson asked.
“Given your condition, very high. The success rate is under 15%. Years of drug use have severely weakened your heart. Without a transplan most three years.”
‘Three years? And such a slim chance,’ Jameson thought.
“Only 15%…” he muttered, face pale and sweaty, struggling to catch his breath through the palpitations.
“But if Dr. Jean performs the operation, your odds of survival increase significantly,” the doctor added.
have at
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Jameson fell silent. “D–Dr. Jean?”
AD
The doctor continued, “Right, Dr. Jean isn’t on our hospital staff, but she’s a genius. We refer every unsolvable case to her,
“She’s done surgeries with success rates under 5%-never lost a patient. She’s a legend in medicine, our hero.”
The doctor was clearly a huge fan of Shermaine, his face flushing with excitement as he talked.”
Hearing how talented this Dr. Jean was, Jameson didn’t immediately link her to Shermaine. “That’s perfect. Can you contact her to perform my surgery?
“Her fee is 300 thousand dollars.” Shermaine discounted fees for those in need, but the reduced rates were known only to patients and their families.
“I can cover that,” Jameson said.
Though he didn’t have 300 thousand dollars, he could sell more shares. Plus, he’d given Jason 4.5 million dollars recently. He could demand it back.
At the thought of Jason, he was desperate to do a paternity test to confirm if the boy was his son.
The doctor said, “I’ll put in a hospital request, but I can’t promise she’ll accept.”
“Fair enough.”
That night, Jameson took his prescribed meds and checked out.
Instead of going home, he booked a hotel room.
He needed to find out who sent the document and if someone was plotting to split him and Natalie. He had to verify the truth before confronting her.
His critical health issues had to be Natalie’s doing. After all, he rarely cheated, and the drug must have killed his attraction to other women.
‘What a ruthless woman, using narcotics against me,‘ he thought.
Jameson spent the whole night unable to go home, haunted by his critical health diagnosis. He’d only live three years without surgery. Sleeplessness gripped him.
Meanwhile, Shermaine, the very Dr. Jean he was counting on, slept soundly. After breakfast with Joshua, she headed to the airport.
Joshua saw her off, helped check her luggage, and was playfully waved away.
“Be careful there,” he said.
“Got it,” Shermaine replied softly
“Call me every day.”
“Mm.”
Joshua kissed her forehead before leaving.
The professor, already at the airport, waved to Shermaine as they approached security.
After clearing it, they reached the boarding area, only to run into Roy.
Roy wore a white hoodie, baggy track pants, and JK–style sneakers, a casual look. His trendy long pink hair stood out.
His features were boyishly handsome–more striking than the average “pretty boy“-with deep–set eyes and naturally pink lips, giving him the classic
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manipulative heartthrob look.
“Milady, you’re going to Ustrana, too?” he asked.
“Yes,” Shermaine replied.
Roy beamed. “Which part?”
“I’m going to Loang.”
“Same.” Roy grinned eagerly and asked, “So, what are you going to do there?”
“I’m attending a math conference.” Shermaine introduced the professor beside her. “This is Professor Brown from Basterel University’s math department.”
was
Dustin Brown, vice president of the Wallington Mathematical Society, renowned figure in Wallington’s academic circle, having made significant
contributions.
Roy courteously greeted Dustin, a heavyweight in the math community. Dustin was typically tight–lipped, but Roy had a talent for winning over elders at least when he wasn’t misjudging them.
Despite being a math novice, Roy managed to chat animatedly with Dustin, even managing to upgrade their business–class tickets during the conversation.
It was worth noting that Roy’s esports team was competing in the same district as Shermaine’s group, and their hotels were just a street apart.
After a dozen–hour flight, they landed in Loang. The hotel they’d booked, one of Ustrana’s premier stays, provided a private car service.
Knowing the hotel car was already waiting outside, Shermaine led Dustin toward the exit.
“Milady, how about we ride together? I just canceled my hotel room and booked yours.
Want to grab dinner tonight?” Roy said.
Shermaine first asked Dustin if he had evening plans. When he said no, she turned to Roy. “Where do you want to eat?”
“You know Ustrana better. You pick.”
“Got it.”
As they reached the airport exit, a stretch limousine stood out like a sore thumb.
Even Roy, a trust–fund kid, couldn’t help double–taking. There was probably only one such car in all of Ustrana.
Shermaine frowned at the sight.
The door swung open, and Roy caught a glimpse of shapely legs in stilettos.
‘Damn. The passenger’s a woman,‘ he thought.
Molly stepped out.
Her shapely legs and hourglass figure wrapped in a black bodycon dress were straight out of a supermodel shoot. Her sizzling outfit drew everyone’s
attention.
She rocked a sleek pixie cut yet still oozed sex appeal. There was a bossy edge to her–like a billionaire female CEO straight out of a movie.
But it was her grayish eyes that gave away her mixed heritage.
Molly held a slim lady’s cigarette, a butterfly tattoo peeking out above her ankle.
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The second she climbed out of the car, she stalked straight toward Shermaine and without a word, threw a punch.
Roy had never seen a woman in a skin–tight dress and 3–inch heels fight with such effortless swagger.
Why the hell is she attacking Milady on sight?‘ he wondered.
Shermaine raised an eyebrow. After a few blocked blows, she stepped back, snatched a hair tie, and pulled her hair into a ponytail Molly, long time no see. Got an itch you need to scratch?”
Molly smirked, flicking her cigarette to the ground. “You know in Ustrana, only you have the guts to mouth off to me. Call it restlessness.
Shermaine pinned her wrist and pressed an arm to her neck. When Molly went limp, she released her, only for Molly to grab her waist like a hoodlum, eyeing her chest in disbelief. “Wait, your boobs are bigger than mine now? After a year?”
No matter how she measured up to Shermaine, she always came in second, except for her boobs, which she’d always bragged were bigger.
Shermaine gave an exasperated sigh.
‘It’s just a second breast development,‘ Shermaine thought. She said nonchalantly, “You can get it too.”
Molly asked, “Seriously?”
“Yeah. Find a man.”
‘Aman? What a hassle. Since when do men have that function?‘ Molly wondered.
Molly studied Shermaine’s expression. She didn’t seem to be joking. But the word “man” alone was enough to put her off.
“Trance told me you got engaged to some guy after returning home. Is this pretty boy the one?” Molly turned her gaze to Roy who had been chatting and laughing with Shermaine earlier.
‘He’s good–looking but definitely not a match for Shermaine. Too wimpy,’ Molly thought.
Roy hated being called a pretty boy. Normally, anyone who dared call him that would pay. He’d make them call him “daddy” until he was satisfied.
But when Molly said it, he wasn’t angry at all. Instead, his heart was pounding wildly when she looked at him, and a hot flush was racing through his body like a fire raging inside.
‘Oh, crap,‘ he thought.
He had never felt anything like this before.
Roy wasn’t new to dating, but he’d always been the one to get dumped. Breakups usually went like-“Go live with your games, you playboy.”
And there was that time when he didn’t realize Shermaine was the hacker who had completely outclassed him–he had been completely smitten, and Henry had made fun of him for ages, calling him a fool.
But once he found out that Milady was Shermaine, he’d accepted it pretty calmly.
He’d never felt such a strong rush of heart–pounding for any woman before.
Molly was like a love potion to him.
Shermaine shook her head and introduced, “Roy Shay, my husband’s best friend from childhood.” Seeing that Roy was staring blankly at Molly, she called him over. Since being with Joshua, she could spot romantic feelings at a glance. “Molly Hill, one of my few friends.”
Roy grinned brighter than a blooming sunflower and extended his hand. “Hello, Ms. Hill.”
The members of Roy’s esports team gawked at their boss. He was smiling like a cuddly golden retriever, all soft and meek, a stark contrast to his usual foul–mouthed outbursts. It was obvious he’d been hypnotized by Molly.
‘So Roy has a thing for fiery, sexy cat–like women? The catch is, such women are tough to handle. Roy’s a total pushover. Can he really manage?‘ they wondered.
If Roy caught wind of their thoughts, he’d snarl back, “You’re the pushover. Your whole family’s pushovers. I’m a puppy outside the sheets, a wolf in them!”
Molly thought his smile looked just like her husky, so she reached out to shake his hand. “Mr. Shay.”
Roy barely dared grip her hand. He was burning up, parched, and desperate for a swig of water. “Are you mixed race?”
“Yep.”
“Your eye color is stunning.”
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“Thanks.” Molly pulled her hand back. “Shermaine, which hotel are you at? I’ll give you a ride
“Hilton Hotel,” Shermaine replied,
Molly’s stretch Lincoln could seat six or seven.
She’d even arranged a luxury car for Roy’s team–a total CEO move.
The limo was stocked with pricey champagne and snacks. While Molly was on a call, Roy whispered to Shermaine, “Milady, how old is Ms. Hill? is the seeing anyone?”
“Twenty–six. Single.” Molly had always disdained men, likely due to her upbringing. In Ustrana, she’s the aristocracy’s most sought–after yet untamable socialite.
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‘She’s 26? That’s the same age as me,‘ Roy thought. Well, not exactly. He was actually 25, younger than both Joshua and Henry
He’d just fudged his age by a year on his driver’s license.
‘Only a year older than me. No biggie. The main thing is she’s single,’ Roy thought.
As soon as he hopped in the car, he chugged a bottle of mineral water. Anxious and parched, he unscrewed another and gulped it down.
Loang’s weather wasn’t hot. If anything, it was downright chilly. Up front, Molly watched Roy guzzle water. ‘Is this guy always this thirsty? He’s a walking contradiction,‘ she thought.
“How long are you crashing in Loang, Shermaine?” Molly asked.
“About a week,” Shermaine replied.
Molly lit another slim cigarette, crossing her legs. “Cool. Hit me up after your conference wraps.”
The second they pulled up to the hotel, Roy dashed for the restroom. When he came out, Molly was already gone. His mood took a nosedive.
‘Does she have WhatsApp?‘ he wondered. He wanted her WhatsApp so they could keep the convos going.
In her hotel room, Shermaine shot her family a “safe arrival” text, then facetimed Joshua. “I’m here.”
“Good. When’s that academic gig startin
Joshua asked.
“The day after tomorrow.” She squinted at his background. “Wait, are you on the island?”
“Yep.” He’d jetted over that afternoon right after she left for Ustrana. “Figured I’d supervise the builders for you.”
When Joshua first gave her the island, half of it was still raw land. Construction only kicked off after she handed over the blueprints.
It had been rolling for a while now, with some sections almost done. He’d swung by to check progress during his downtime.
“You’re turning into the perfect househusband,” Shermaine teased, eyes crinkling.
Joshua chuckled, “Heard Roy flew to Ustrana today too–same flight as you, right? Did you cross paths?” Their knack for accidental run-ins was borderline supernatural.
“Uh–huh,” she said. “He spent the whole ride grilling me about my friend. He wouldn’t let it drop.”
Joshua cocked an eyebrow. “Lucky bastard.”
‘Shermaine’s crew is always A–list, like Danielle. This Loang friend is bound to be just as badass,‘ he thought.
Joshua twirled the platinum ring on his finger and went on, “Besides Dr. Shelly, I haven’t met any of your other friends.”
“Doesn’t Trance count?”
“He’s a love rival.”
Until Trance got married, he’d always been a riyal to Joshua.
Shermaine chuckled, “I don’t have many friends. If you want to meet them, you definitely will at our wedding.”
“When exactly is “later“?” Joshua had long wanted to hold a wedding, to let the whole world know that Shermaine was his wife, the love of his life,
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But when they got their marriage license, Shermaine had said there was no hurry for a wedding, so he’d been patiently waiting locker to bring do the topic.
Shermaine finally gave a specific time. “Once Sheary Island is completely built, we’ll have the wedding.”
That wasn’t too far off.
If Joshua put more manpower into the project, he and Shermaine could hold their wedding next spring.
At Loang Airport, Kylie came out pulling her suitcase and wearing sunglasses. A blond, good–looking man was waiting for her at the airport exit, driving a black supercar.
The Loang Airport was really full of luxury cars today–first a stretch Lincoln, and now a flashy Lamborghini Veneno.
Kylie took off her sunglasses, threw her suitcase at the man, and got into the car directly.
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“God, can you chill? You hit me with this the second I landed,” Kylie snapped.
The man said, “I’m just worried you’ll fuck up again. The organization’s counting on you for this mission. If you fail, they won’t let you slide like last time
In their Dark Organization, failure meant punishment, and the tougher the job, the worse the penalty.
Kylie never wanted this gig anyway. This so–called Immortality Project was just some rich cancer dude named Joseph chasing a pipe dream to stay alive. Everybody wanted forever, but with today’s tech? It was straight–up fantasy.
The mention of Shermaine lit a jealous fire in her eyes. “She’ll take a permanent dirt nap at the Academic Exchange Conference the day after tomorrow. Get me some badass hitmen, Klaus.”
Klaus had been into Kylie for ages. Why else would a top assassin like him baby her in the organization and even cover her ass?
In the dining room, Roy looked like hell. Partying too hard the night before had given him a cold. His pink hair was all flat, and he could barely keep his
“Morning, Milady, Professor Brown, Ms. Hill,” he said with a sniffle, plopping into a chair. “Milady, can you write me a prescription later
awful.”
Shermaine listed a few names.
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“Thanks, Molly,” Roy said, ditching the “Ms. Hill.” He flashed her a sweet smite with two little canine teeth, laying on the charm,
To Molly, he looked exactly like her sick husky–all needy and helpless. And it him her blazer. “Put this on, You’re shivering.”
was just a small favor. Seeing he was only wearing a thin hoodle she is
“Just put it on,” Molly snapped, throwing the jacket at him. Then she turned to the gawking men, barking in fluent foreign language, “One more look and I’ll rip your eyeballs out.”
Kylie was also in the crowd, wearing a baseball cap and sucking on a lollipop. She’d snagged a corner seat. Shermaine didn’t spot her. Kylie wanted to see if Shermaine had really cracked the twin prime conjecture, a legendary math problem.
But the unexpected happened. When Shermaine walked in, several top scholars started trembling. They shot to their feet, gasping. “Pro–Professor Jean?”
Shermaine nodded at them. “Long time no see.”
This time, she showed up as a Wallington native at the Academic Exchange Conference. They didn’t stand a chance of winning that award.
Molly slipped in through the back door, took an empty seat, and crossed her legs. Her old friend was about to take the stage, and she’d drop anything to
But the guy next to her reeked so badly that she wrinkled her nose. When she looked up, he was leering at her, his gaze straight–up sleazy.
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Molly figured this sleazeball wasn’t academic material. She narrowed her eyes. Something felt off.
Roy trailed in. The meds had worked, and he was back to normal. Seeing the guy next to Molly reaching behind her chair like he was gonna cop a fest Roy stormed over and swatted his hand away.
Pinching his nose at the stench, he said, “Molly, how can you stand being near him?”
Molly didn’t expect Roy to show up, let alone confront a possible hitman for her. “I can’t. Heading down a few rows. Coming?”
The hitman cursed under his breath, thinking, ‘Damn Wallington brats, dissing me like that. If I hadn’t been on orders to hold fire, I would’ve put a bullet in their skulls.‘
Kylie missed the whole scene. She ground her teeth. Who the hell would’ve thought Shermaine was Professor Jean, the one who’d always outperformed
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Kylie’s eyes went red when she realized Shermaine was Professor Jean.
First, she outshone Kylie in tech, and now she was killing it in academia too?
Watching the top academics stand up to greet Shermaine politely, Kylie felt like she was about to explode.
She was so jealous that she bit her lower lip till it bled. The taste of blood in her mouth mixed with a raging urge to kill. Only by putting Shermaine in the ground could she become the top dog in the world.
But there he was, sitting next to Molly with their arms touching. She was dressed to kill in that leopard–print mini skirt, legs crossed, and her perfume was driving him nuts.
Roy felt his face heat up, blood pounding in his veins. Suddenly his nose started itching. He touched it and saw blood. Holy shit, he was nosebleeding.
Molly, sensitive to the smell of blood, turned to see Roy sitting there like a deer in headlights and staggering out with a hand clamped over his nose. He looked just like her husky when it got caught tearing up the couch.
After catching Molly’s signal, Shermaine played it cool. When the top academics asked which big math problem she was there to tackle, she said flat–out, “The twin prime conjecture.”
The room went silent. That was one of the toughest unsolved problems. The professor supposed to present on it had bailed, admitting he couldn’t crack
- it.
Shermaine raised an eyebrow and gave a casual “hmm.”
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They could hardly contain their excitement.
Dustin was speechless. Shermaine, already a tech icon, had just dropped another bombshell.
He thought, ‘Wait till I call home. Word of Professor Jean will be all over Wallington’s academic grapevine by tomorrow.
Without her bombshell, the other presentations might’ve seemed impressive. But next to the twin prime problem, they were small potatoes.
Though the silenced round was inaudible to the crowd, Shermaine picked up the telltale whisper. It was aimed at her shoulder. They wanted to wound her first, figuring a bleeding target would be easier to take down, and then finish her off.
“Duck!” Shermaine shouted.
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“Bitch!” he snarled, swinging a meaty fist.
Kylie had never squared off with Shermaine before. One look at those moves and she was shook. Shermaine fought like a goddamn ninja..
Then Shermaine caught her scent, and when Kylie’s cap came off, those eyes gave her away. Shermaine smiled, “So you’re the psycho gunning for me.”
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Chapter 339
But the fantasy crashed hard against reality.
Shermaine moved with cheetah–like agility, her explosive strength insane. Maybe being a doctor gave her an edge in targeting pressure points.
She caught Kylie’s fist mid–swing and twisted until bones popped. Kylie’s face contorted in pain, swinging her other hand, but Shermaine pinned that too.
“This weak? How the hell did you become a hitman?” The mockery dripped from Shermaine’s voice.
Kylie grabbed her throat. Shermaine’s earlier choke had left her shaken. Hearing the insult, she yelled, “Klaus, don’t believe her lies!”
“Don’t worry, Kylie,” Klaus said. “One stupid comment won’t change how I feel about you.”
“Oh, really?” Shermaine strolled to the podium and tapped the screen. “Then take a look at this. I found some very
Kylie’s face went white. Her phone was encrypted. No regular hacker could get in. But Shermaine wasn’t just any hacker. She was a tech legend, always one step ahead in data work, and even able to implant advanced tech.
Despite their progressive attitudes, they still held strong to their integrity and a touch of romance. The idea of being objectified was totally unacceptable to them. It was disgusting, and worst of all, Kylie had been after more
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Kylie’s face turned ashen, then flushed as the stares of the crowd bore into her. Her most private secrets laid bare for all to see.
Shermaine actually used such a method to publicly humiliate her. Even if Kylie didn’t care about others‘ opinions of herself, she wished she could tear her apart to vent her fury. And then there was Klaus. Kylie still needed him, and she couldn’t let him turn against her.
Klaus‘ anger evaporated instantly. Guilt flooded him. He stepped forward, hands reaching for her. “I’m sorry, baby. I shouldn’t have slapped you.”
Klaus raised his pistol and fired, shattering the screen displaying Kylie’s compromising photos. Then, he holstered
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He dusted off his hands, feeling satisfied with the job done. From the corner of his eye, he spotted Molly leaning against the wall, watching him with interest. His previously fierce demeanor melted away in an instant. He flashed her a bright smile, revealing a pair of canines.
Molly walked over and noticed a few unruly strands sticking up from his pink hair. She smoothed them down. “Your hair is a mess.” It was the first time she had ever been this gentle with a man.
Roy was thrilled. Molly’s casual gesture sent his heart soaring. If she kept this up, he was pretty sure he would faint from sheer excitement.
Just then, one of the downed assassins moved, groping for a nearby pistol. “Go to hell!”
Molly had already sensed the movement the moment he reached for the pistol. She yanked Roy aside as a bullet slammed into the wall behind them.
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Roy managed to avoid embarrassing himself in front of Molly. He subtly tightened his grip on her hand and said, “Thanks for saving me, or I’d have been shot.”
Molly gave a faint smile. “Don’t mention it.” She raised a brow and lifted her hand, signaling for him to let go.
Roy had barely held it for a moment, and now he was reluctant to release it. But to maintain his gentlemanly demeanor and well–behaved image, he loosened his grip. “They planted bombs. I have to go check them out.”
For now, Shermaine didn’t intend to kill Klaus. Yet every strike she delivered was devastating. Agile and precise, even when taking hits, she minimized damage. Gradually, Klaus lost ground.
every time they clashed, he lost. Bruce had left him with deep psychological scars, an instinctive dread lurking in
thought, ‘This time, I can’t let my guard down.‘
Kylie’s smirk vanished as she watched Klaus and Shermaine battle. Klaus was drenched in blood, swaying
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unsteadily as he forced himself to stand, his eyes bloodshot. With one final kick from Shermaine, he collapsed at Kylie’s feet.
Klaus coughed up blood, his chest burning from the kick. No point playing tough now. “Kylie, we’re pulling back He would kill Shermaine another day.
Kylie didn’t argue. She hauled him up, and they bolted outside, only to find their men already knocked out cold. With the situation this dire, there was no time to drag these unconscious men along. They had to retreat.
Once in the car, Klaus yanked out the bomb detonator. With one press of the red button, the building would be reduced to rubble. Without hesitation, he slammed his thumb down. However, nothing happened.
“Damn it!” Klaus snarled.
Bruce then pinched Kylie’s chin, his fingers digging in painfully. Of everyone in the Dark Organization, he was the
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“You’re cracking jokes out of nowhere now,” Molly continued. “That guy must’ve corrupted you.”
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Shermaine didn’t admit, not even slightly, that Joshua had influenced her in any way. With a straight face, she countered, “I’m just stating facts.”
Molly stood with one arm crossed, the other supporting her chin. She thought, ‘Maybe I should try finding a man then?‘ But the mere thought made her grimace. She wondered, ‘Ugh. Those men aren’t even worthy of being my servants.‘
Her intellect and capabilities were unmatched. Unlike that stupid Kylie, Molly wasn’t arrogant enough to make an enemy of Shermaine. She played it smart, cultivating a mutually beneficial friendship instead.
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beyond ten lines, some of them tightened their grip on their pens. Earlier, they had heard about her attempting to prove this conjecture, but witnessing it firsthand felt like observing a miracle unfold.
Dustin swelled with pride. Once Shermaine finished, Wallington’s mathematics community would gain global recognition, and she herself would go down in history.
As time ticked by, the audience remained riveted, eyes glued to the dense formulas on the screen, afraid of losing track of her reasoning.
mathematician worldwide had achieved such feats at her age, let alone stood poised to claim the year’s top
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Chapter 343
Shermaine rarely initiated. This was one of those rare moments.
The second her lips met his, Joshua pulled her closer by the waist, deepening the kiss. But his concern for her injury lingered. After a while, he broke away to examine her wound.
Shermaine shot him an annoyed glare. She had finally made a move, but he had actually stopped. Stretching out
Beside them, the first–aid kit lay open. Joshua carefully applied fresh ointment to her arm and wrapped it in a
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