Chapter 8 At those words , Joshua glanced at Shermalne , his gaze calm . " You know medicine ? " " A little , " Shermaine replied modestly . " It's thoughtful of you , but my grandfather's illness has already stumped every top doctor in the country . It's beyond saving . No one can help him now Joshua stated it plainly . Shermaine raised an eyebrow . " I'm not like them . " " How so ? " " I'm better than them ." Joshua let out a faint smile . It wasn't that he thought she was arrogant - on the contrary , when she said it , it actually sounded believable . The look in her eyes was steady and sure , the kind of quiet confidence that held the world at a distance . There was none of that crude , backwoods air the rumors liked to paint her with . At the very least , she meant well . He gave a nod . " You'll meet my grandfather soon . When you do , you can take a look at him . " . Shermaine nodded in agreement . Once they reached the third floor and she was laid on the bed , it finally hit her . Joshua had carried her all the way up with ease , not even out of breath . Clearly , he was in excellent shape . He said , " The doctor will be here soon to play along . I have something to take care of . Excuse me . " " Alright . " Shermaine nodded . Joshua looked at her , then dropped another surprise . " You're moving into my place next week . " Shermaine went quiet . She thought , ' We're only engaged , and we're already living together ? ' As if sensing her confusion , Joshua explained , " It's my grandfather's , request . Don't worry , the place will be yours . I'll move out . I won't be dropping by unless necessary . " Shermaine gave it a moment of thought , then agreed , " Okay . " After leaving the Jean residence , Joshua got into his car . He opened his hand . Behind the gold - rimmed glasses , his eyes darkened . It felt like Shermaine's warmth still lingered on his skin . Her waist was small , and her body was so soft it felt like he could break her with one hand when she clung to him like that . Her scent was sweet , almost dangerously so . It was the kind of sweetness that could hook a man in just one breath and make it impossible to quit . The family doctor didn't arrive until thirty minutes later . Shermaine woke up to the scent of smelling salts . As soon as Joshua left , she'd started thinking in bed . Somewhere between those thoughts , she'd drifted off . Jameson , Ruth , and the three ladies were still nearby . The doctor's name was Alfred Jordan . He looked to be in his early thirties - young , with a clean , handsome face . But he still didn't hold a candle to Joshua . With a professional smile , Alfred said , " Ms. Shue , you're finally awake . " Shermaine answered , " Yeah . " 1/4 20:36 Fri 30 May Chapter 8 Alfred asked , " How are you feeling ? " " Still a little dizzy ," she replied , sliding right back into her act . Alfred nodded . " Does the area where you were massaged still hurt ? " Shermaine remarked , " It does . " " The human body has very complex pressure points , especially around the head . A small mistake can lead to serious issues . That esthetician definitely used too much force , " he commented . That line was clearly meant for Jameson and the others . Then Alfred asked , " Ms. Shue , how are you anemic ? Is the Jean family not feeding you properly ? " Shermaine was perfectly healthy . Anemia wasn't even close to the truth . She kept a straight face . " Everyone at home likes spicy food . The dishes just don't agree with me . " Alfred frowned . " Why not ask the chef to ease up on the chili ? " Shermaine sighed , " I did . They didn't care . " Alfred smiled , " Ms. Shue , I'll prescribe you some vitamins . If word gets out that the Jean family's heiress is anemic because the household meals don't suit her , people are going to laugh . " Jameson and Ruth both turned red with embarrassment . The three ladies exchanged looks . They all thought , ' So the Jean family really has been harsh with Shermaine . But this girl's no pushover - soft on the outside , sharp as a blade underneath , and every word cuts right to the bone .' Jameson froze for a moment and then said in a gentle tone , " Shermaine , I've already had the spa fire that esthetician . She's still waiting outside . If you're still upset , I can have someone bring her in to apologize ." Shermaine said lazily , " No need for an apology . Let her keep standing out there until I'm in a better mood . I can't stand being wrongfully accused . That esthetician had the nerve to pin something on me for no reason - she clearly looked down on me . " But I don't blame her . After all , my own parents don't care about me . Everyone calls me the Jean family's heiress , but no one actually treats me like I matter . " And my own family treats me even worse . They let people take advantage of me if they feel like it , and let anyone who wants to bully me just get away with it . " The facts were plain to see , but hearing them said out loud - and in front of others - still left the Jean family deeply embarrassed . Everyone could tell Shermaine wasn't just talking about outsiders . She was calling out her own family . The guilt in Jameson's chest grew heavier , and with Joshua now backing Shermaine , Jameson didn't dare say a word against her - even if she had just embarrassed him . Jameson's tone softened even more . " Shermaine , I've been too busy to give you the attention you deserve . From now on , if anyone tries to mess with- you , just tell me . I'll make it right . " Shermaine played along . " Alright . Thank you , Dad That response eased Jameson's nerves . But after everything that had happened with Shermaine lately , he was definitely going to have a word with Ruth . Jameson thought , ' She's Ruth's own daughter , not some outsider . Has Ruth gotten so old she's starting to lose her damn mind ? ' " Shermaine- " Ruth started , trying to salvage some dignity . Shermaine pulled the blanket up slightly , cutting in without hesitation , " I'm tired . I want to sleep . " 2/4 20:36 Fri , 30 May G. Chapter 8 Ruth's face stiffened . Jameson stepped in . " Alright . Get some rest . " Once everyone left the room , Jameson's expression turned cold . He looked at Ruth and said , " Come with me to the study . " Wendelyn stayed behin 96 % I to see the guests out . When she returned upstairs , all she could hear was the sound of arguing coming from the second floor . But Jameson was the head of the household . No matter how angry Ruth was , she didn't dare push back too hard . She had no choice but to swallow her anger and keep it bottled up . Jameson said , " I'm warning you - start treating Shermaine better . She's going to marry into the York family . If you piss her off , there's nothing in it for us . " " Wendy is obviously more capable than Shermaine . She's a better match for him , " Ruth snapped back . Jameson gave a cold laugh . " So what if she's better ? Is Joshua interested in her ? Don't think I don't see what you and Wendy are trying to pull . From now on , you'd better remember this - Shermaine is your real daughter . " No matter what you think of her , she's the rightful heiress of the Jean family . It's about time you got real clear on exactly where Wendy stands . " Ruth said nothing after that . No one knew what was going through her mind . She thought , ' He's right . She's just a foster daughter , after all ' Outside the door , Wendelyn was eavesdropping . A cold smirk curled at the corner of her lips . She refused to accept it . After Alfred left , he gave Joshua a call . From the way he spoke , it was clear they were on familiar terms . Alfred said , " Your fiancée's not bad . Once she marries into your family , she's only going to make you look good - never the opposite ." Joshua looked at the file in his hand . " What did she do this time ? " Alfred gave a quick rundown . He rubbed his chin , thoughtful , then added his own take . " But she's a bit too sharp . That kind of edge breaks easily and makes it easy to offend people . " Joshua could picture her embarrassing the Jean family in front of everyone . The thought was oddly amusing . The corners of his mouth lifted slightly . In a rare good mood , he spoke up for her , " She doesn't pick fights without reason . " Alfred chuckled , " Mr. York , you've only met her twice , and you're already defending her ? " " Just calling it like I see it , " Joshua said . Alfred raised an eyebrow , his expression casual and a little too laid - back for a doctor . " I'm not worried about her stirring up trouble . I'm more concerned trouble's going to find her first . " She's the long - lost Jean heiress , and soon she'll be your wife . Once that news gets out , plenty of women are going to be seething with jealousy . Take Wendelyn , the other Jean heiress , for instance . Something tells me she's not about to let this slide . " Back in the room earlier , Alfred had caught a glimpse of Wendelyn's expression when she looked at Shermaine . If looks could kill , Shermaine would've dropped dead on the spot . It shocked him - he never expected the supposedly gentle and graceful Wendelyn to show something that vicious . Joshua didn't respond . He thought , ' Wendelyn's nothing . Shermaine can handle her just fine . ' 2/4