Chapter 5 Wendelyn's face went pale as she stood there like a withering leaf about to fall . Furious , Ruth exploded . " If you don't want to give that up , fine . But why do you have to tear your sister down like that ? " " Because I can't stand her , obviously , " Shermaine smiled sweetly , but her words cut sharp . " She's petty , but her ambitions are huge it wasn't that Shermaine thought too highly of herself Wendelyn was just rotten underneath that sweet girl act . She had no morals and a mean streak , the kind of lake sweetheart who played innocent while scheming behind everyone's back . " And for the record , I only have a brother . No sister , " Shermaine said . She was beautiful in a way that burned - like a rose in full bloorn , bold and brazen , with thorns sharp enough to draw blood . Ruth's eyes sparked with fury . She thought , ' Why did this brat have to come back after all these years ? ' Her chest heaved , anger choking her . She raised her hand . Shermaine pondered , ' She wanna hit me again ? ' She crossed one leg over the other , her eyes steady , her smile still lingering . Without a hint of fear , her gaze was bright and piercing . It made Ruth's heart skip without reason . Ruth thought , ' Shermaine's just some nobody who grew up in some backwater village with no education and no class . How the hell does she get that attitude , that presence ? ' But her raised hand didn't get the chance to fall . Jameson's voice boomed like thunder . " Ruth , what do you think you're doing ? " Ruth looked up and saw Jameson standing there , his brows furrowed , his expression stormy . What really made her panic , though , was the man standing beside him - elegant and composed - Joshua . Joshua didn't do a thing , but with just one look , the pressure came down like a wave . Ruth could barely breathe . She stiffened , lowering her hand , forcing a calm tone . " What could I possibly be doing ? " Then , as if nothing had happened , Ruth greeted Joshua politely , " Mr. York , it's a pleasure to meet you ." Jameson shot Ruth an irritated glare , then turned to the maid and ordered her to grind their best coffee beans and brew a fresh pot . " Likewise , Mrs. Jean , " Joshua said coolly . Ruth offered , " Please , have a seat . " Joshua walked over . Wendelyn's eyes lit up . The moment she saw Joshua , her affection for him filled her gaze with soft longing . But she quickly suppressed it , not daring to look at him again . Joshua's presence was magnetic . Just one glance at him made others feel inferior . He didn't even glance at Wendelyn . Instead , he went straight to sit next to Shermaine . Joshua was polished and poised . Meanwhile , Shermaine was stunning and fierce . People had expected their temperaments to clash , but the two sitting together somehow looked effortlessly perfect like they were meant to be . A flash of disappointment crossed Wendelyn's eyes . Joshua asked Shermaine , " Did you sleep well last night ? " Shermaine smiled , " Not bad . " 1/4 Chapter 5 Wendelyn's fate turned even paler . Her hands clenched tight , her nails digging deep into her palms . The rich aroma of coffee filled the room . Janieson handed a cup to Joshua . " Joshua , when do you plan to have the wedding with Sharmaine " The elders are already picking a date ," Joshua replied . Jameson thought , ' That means it's happening soon ! He was just about to ask more about the wedding when Ruth cut in , " Mr. York , I don't think Shermaine is a good match for you . Maybe it's too early to talk about marriage . " " What nonsense are you talking about ? " Jameson was pissed at Ruth . If she ruined this marriage , it would be a total loss for the Jean family . " Oh ? " Joshua looked at Ruth , waiting to see what other ridiculous things she was about to say . Ruth spoke slowly and deliberately , " Over the past few years , we failed to raise her properly , and now she's got problems all over . If she marries into your family , I'm afraid she'll only embarrass the Yorks . " Catch for you . She's well - mannered , considerate , and knows her place . She's Then she paused and added , " I truly believe Wendy would be a better outstanding - so much better than Shermaine . " Ruth said with pride , " Wendy , raise your head and let Joshua get a good took at you . " Wendelyn's heart was pounding like crazy . She slowly looked up , her voice shy and delicate . " Mr. York ." Her tone was soft and sweet , dripping with that feminine charm . But her palms were already slick with nervous sweat . Bradley , standing off to the side , wanted to roll his eyes . He thought , ' Mrs. Jean really doesn't even try to hide her favoritism . ' She tears Ms. Shue down just to build Ms. Jean up like Ms. Shue doesn't even exist , as if Ms. Shue chose to be separated from the Jean family and grow up without them . ' The one who was originally engaged to Mr. York was the Jean family's actual heiress by blood . ' Besides , Ms. Shue doesn't even look like someone who grew up in some backwater village . Just because of a little bias , they're acting like she's good for nothing . ' Joshua took a sip of coffee with a smile sharp enough to cut . " Since when did the York family's standards drop this low ? " His tone was steady , almost casual . " Mrs. Jean , you really think you can throw just anyone at me ? " Wendelyn froze , her expression turning stiff and awkward . That one line from him crushed her dignity and ground it straight into the dirt . As the adopted daughter of Jameson and Ruth , Wendelyn had grown up pampered , showered with praise , and idolized by the boys around her . She couldn't understand how , in Joshua's eyes , she meant absolutely nothing . Wendelyn thought , ' If I'm nothing , then what the hell is Shermaine ? What makes her so much better than me ? ' Bradley pondered , ' Mr. York's such a badass . ' Ruth , barely holding back her anger , stepped in for Wendelyn . " Mr. York , even if Wendy's not your type , that's no reason to humiliate her like this . " Joshua smiled , " Mrs. Jean , Compared to what you just said about Shermaine , I'm being pretty polite . " Ruth froze , like she'd just swallowed a bug by accident . Shermaine gave a light smile and thought , ' Mr. York's got such a sharp tongue ! Jameson looked at Ruth and Wendelyn coldly and then turned toward Joshua . " Mr. York , please forgive my wife and adopted daughter for their performance . If we're going to discuss the wedding between you and Shermaine , let's take it upstairs to the study . " 2/4 Chapter 5 Joshua gave a nod , then looked over at Shermaine . " Are you coming with me ? " " You go , " Shermaine replied , sounding indifferent . Back in the living room , Shermaine poured herself a cup of coffee . The beans were top notch . The taste was smooth and fragrant , leaving a clean frank on the tongue . She drank a few sips , then stood up , planning to go upstairs . She needed to grab her phone . Once Joshua was gone , she wanted to head out for a walk Ruth had just been publicly embarrassed and sat in silence , glaring at Shermaine . When she saw Shermaine get up , Ruth asked , " Where are you going ? " " To my room , " Shermaine said . " Don't bother . We have guests coming soon , " Ruth replied . Wendelyn was staring at Shermaine too , her expression composed but sharp - edged . Shermaine thought , ' Guests ? What's that got to do with me ? I don't care . Let them stare at me all they want - not like they'll find anything Just then , the housekeeper stepped forward and reminded them , " Mrs .. Jean , the ladies you invited have arrived at the front door . " " Got it , " Ruth replied . Moments later , a group of well - dressed socialites walked in , each one decked out in designer glam from head to toe . Ruth's expression switched in an instant . A graceful , practiced smile bloomed across her features . " Mrs. Sutton , Mrs. Marshall , Mrs. Burton , so glad you could make it . " Wendelyn stood up alongside her and greeted them with a soft , elegant smile . Shermaine didn't move . All eyes from the new arrivals landed right on her . She glanced up and realized she'd seen these women at the party at the hotel last night . They'd praised her beauty to her face , then trashed her behind her back . Shermaine hadn't forgotten how they'd called her a " cheap slut " the moment she'd turned away . " Shermaine , " Ruth snapped , " don't be so rude . " Shermaine kept her smile . " Mrs. Sutton , Mrs. Marshall , Mrs. Burton . Nice to see you . " The three ladies nodded at her coolly . Ruth's expression finally eased . " Peyton , show our guests to the garden . " Then she turned to Wendelyn and Shermaine . " You two , come with me . " " I'm not going , " Shermaine said flatly . " Don't you dare . " Ruth's face shifted again . Shermaine gave her a half - smile , thinking , ' Whatever . She's still technically my mother , right ? ' So she caved . " Fine . I'll give you this one . " Furious , Ruth nearly choked on her own breath . The backyard was exactly what one would expect from old money - landscaped to perfection , with a shimmering pool glinting under the sun . These women had nothing to talk about except designer clothes and handbags , lipsticks and perfumes , and outrageously expensive jewelry . 20:35 Fri , 30 May Chapter 5 The puce the more they were ran for t undeniably exploits , but tameha , on that at the Sharmaine yawned , bored out of her na lidering to cut showing off the graceful lines of her taps Her neckline dipped just enough to reveal the beautiful curve of Barcole Just then , some new people arrived . They were there to give everyone head of font manages Shermaine wasn't feeling it . She didn't have the patience , and hally , if she'd kissen it was gring Beth Berg with Joshua . She was about to turn around and leave when Ruth caught her . " Trying to sneak off again ? " Ruth asked . " I'll pass on the massage , " Shermaine said . " Not interested ." " Their technique's excellent . Sit down and let yourself unwind a little , " Ruth insisted Shermaine was instantly speechless . She genuinely had no interest in listening to people who didn't actually care about her Just then , an esthetician in uniform said , " Ms. Shue , please lie down . " She was at least polite , and Shermaine thought for a moment . Not wanting to make things hard for the esthetician , Shermaine gave in and lay down The esthetician washed her hands and applied some essential oil , which gave off a light , pleasant scent . At first , the massage felt pretty good . Shermaine was actually enjoying it . But then the esthetician started pressing harder and harder , and come spots hurt like hell . Shermaine told her to ease up . The esthetician agreed , but her hands stayed just as rough . After a while , the pain was too much . Shermaine opened her eyes , irritation flashing in her gaze . She couldn't take it anymore and gave the esthetician a shove . Shermaine didn't even push that hard , but the esthetician stumbled backward several steps , and with a splash , fell straight into the pool . 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