Chapter 6 Shermaine hadn't expected a simple massage to turn into a setup . She thought , ' Ruth really nalled it as a mother - doing everything she can to run image and sabotage my engagement to Joshua , just to shove Wendelyn into my place . She'd assumed that after Joshua made his stance clear , Ruth would finally back off . But clearly , she'd overestimated Ruth's intelligence . Either that , or Ruth's bias had clouded all judgment . Shermaine wondered , ' How could someone like Ruth possibly be my mother ? I just don't get it . ' Her blank expression didn't change as she stared at the esthetician flailing in the water . Ruth's voice came sharp with reproach . " Look what you've done . " She reached out and hauled the esthetician out of the pool The esthetician was soaked head to toe , coughing from all the water she'd swallowed , looking completely pathetic , Ruth kept going . " She was just giving you a normal massage . What could she possibly have done to offend you ? With a temper like yours , who can stand being around you ? " Honestly , I should hire you an etiquette coach to teach you some proper manners before people start thinking I failed as a mother ." Shermaine stood there taking it as Ruth kept rattling on . Sadie Sutton remarked , " Shermaine , don't take this the wrong way , but you really need to dial that temper back . Even if her technique sucked , you could've just said so . Did you really have to shove her into the pool ? " Lottie Marshall chimed in too , " Why do you have to make things difficult for that poor girl ? " Maria Burton joined the chorus . " And you're the Jean family's heiress . You need to think about your family's reputation before you act like this . Don't give people something to gossip about . " The three ladies started babbling on with Ruth , going off on all kinds of nonsense . With their voices buzzing in her ears , Shermaine felt her head throb . Her face stayed stony as she snapped , " Shut up . " The three ladies instantly froze , stunned by the force of her presence . Ruth stayed perfectly composed and said , " Wendy , go upstairs and bring a change of clothes for this lady . " " Okay , Mom . " Wendelyn had just stepped back into the living room when she saw Jameson and Joshua coming down the stairs . She walked up to them and greeted , " Dad , Mr. York . " Jameson nodded in response , but Joshua didn't even acknowledge her . Wendelyn lowered her gaze slightly and bit her lip . ' Everyone says Joshua's always the perfect gentleman with women , so why is he acting the exact opposite with me ? ' she wondered . But the answer was obvious . The only reason he treated her this coldly was because of Shermaine . Jameson asked , " Where's Shermaine ? " " She's in the backyard , " Wendelyn replied . Jameson said , " Go call her over to see Mr. York off . " Wendelyn hesitated , looking conflicted . " Dad , I don't think she'll come . Shermaine just pushed an esthetician who came to give her a facial massage into the pool . Mom's out there lecturing her right now . " 1/3 20:35 Fri 30 May 2IG : Chapter 6 Jameson's expression shifted slightly . Another mess ? ' he thought . He glanced at Joshua's face , but Joshua gave nothing away bid ozone de unreadable as ever . Jameson pondered for a moment , then said , " In that case , you go see Mr. York off for her . " " Alright , " Wendelyn answered . She was , after all , the dutiful adopted daughter who'd stayed by Jameson's side for years . He knew exactly what Wendelyn was thinking , Jameson figured that giving her a moment alone with Joshua was the least he could do . Jameson thought , ' If she really has what it takes to win Joshua over and marry into the York family , then good for her . That'd be a much more respectable match than Shermaine ending up with him .' But in the next second , that hope was crushed . Joshua didn't give Wendelyn the slightest chance . " No need , " Joshua replied coolly . " If Shermaine can't come to me , I'll go to her . " Jameson felt the awkwardness sink in . " Alright , " he said , finally letting go " Which way's the backyard ? " Joshua asked . " I'll take you , " Jameson said . of the idea . Wendelyn stood there all alone , a quiet ache pressing in her chest . She thought , ' Just because I'm adopted , Joshua won't even give me a chance . " Meanwhile , out in the backyard , Shermaine pressed her red lips together . The esthetician sobbed as she complained to Ruth , insisting that her technique had always been the best at the spa , that no client had ever left a bad review , and there was no way she could've been too rough . She insisted she was just an ordinary person who wouldn't dare offend the Jean family or their heiress . It was clear what the esthetician meant - Shermaine was the one with the bad temper , unreasonable and impossible to deal with , picking on someone like the esthetician herself who had no power to fight back . Under the sunlight , Joshua approached at a steady pace . The scenery wasn't anything special , but with him in the frame , it suddenly looked like something straight out of an oil painting - rich and vivid . His eyes fell on Shermaine . She looked stunning . There was a chill in her expression , the hint of a smile playing at her lips , calm and aloof . To Joshua , it was like watching a black rose slowly bloom , its scent intoxicating but lethal . The three ladies were the first to notice Joshua walking beside Jameson . Their expressions shifted , surprise flashing across their faces , followed by envy that the Jean family could actually form a connection with the Yorks . Ruth's eyes flicked over as she quickly assumed her usual air of moral superiority . " Shermaine , I'm really disappointed in you . When will you stop making me worry ? " " Mom , why don't you believe me ? " Shermaine's eyes shimmered like they were glazed with tears , her voice full of hurt . She looked heartbreakingly vulnerable and beautiful , every edge and thorn suddenly tucked away . That softness made her almost impossible not to pity . Ruth faltered . Shermaine had always been sharp and defiant , but now , this sudden shift caught Ruth completely off guard , leaving her at a loss for how to respond . " Is it that no matter what I say or do , you'll never believe me ? " Shermaine's eyes welled up , her voice thick with sadness . " Tell me daughter , her or me ? ho's really your " Last night was like this . Today's the same . You never ask what really happened . You just jump straight to blaming me . The first thing you do is raise your hand to hit me . Chapter 6 " If I really annoy you that much , I'll leave the Jean family . I won't be your daughter anymore . There's no need to be to mean to me . " You're right . I didn't grow up with the guidance of you and Dad all those years . So how could I possibly become the picture perfect debutante you've always wanted me to be ? " Shermaine's voice was full of sorrow as tears rolled down her cheeks . That last line hit Ruth like a punch straight to the chest . Shermaine stood up right after , pressing her hand to her temple , her face pale with discomfort , her body swaying unsteadily . Jameson , who had clearly heard everything and now saw Shermaine barely able to stay on her feet, called out , " Shermaine . " In the next moment , she fell into the warm , faintly fragrant embrace of Joshua . His arm wrapped around her waist , pulling her gently into his chest . Shermaine's lashes fluttered slightly . She didn't open her eyes , just buried her face in the crook of his neck and murmured , " Mr. York , do me a favor " There was a cunning edge to her voice . She was like a fox - sharp , sly , and quietly ruthless . AD Comment Send gift