Leslie’s gaze shifted slightly. “Really? Shermaine doesn’t seem like that kind of person to me
Clyde scoffed. “Don’t be fooled by her pretty face. You can never judge someone by their looks. She’s <b>a </b>maniptive and evil woman”
He had his reasons for disliking Shermaine. First, he believed Shermaine’s presence had harmed Wendelyn. Second, he’d heard too many rumors about Sherman and made some baseless assumptions.
He added, “She spends all her time on these shy, meaningless things instead of thinking <b>about </b>how to improve herself Wendy’s better than her in every way. This is infuriating”
“But Joshua seems to be really good to her, Leslie said.
“Who knows if the’s serious?” Clyde sowered. “To wealthy families like ours, reputation is everything, Joshua is known for being cold and distant with women. Their engagement is merely a family arrangment.
“Wendy’s parents act all lovey–dovey in front of others, <b>but </b><b>it’s </b>all for show. They don’t love each other anymore and have been sleeping in separate rooms for years,”
‘s expression shihed as if everything had suddenly clicked.
The more Clyde thought about it, the angrier he got. But with Joshua present, he didn’t dare stir up trouble. He vowed to wait for the right moment and get some payback for Wendy.
At 8 pm, the family dinner started. The meal wasvish, with a spread of seafood, lobster, and fine wine. The aroma alone was enough to make anyone’s
mouth water.
Before dinner, Shermaine had asked Bradley !
the jewelry and lipsticks she had received in Joshua’s car. Once everyone was seated, she, <b>already </b><b>starving</b>, started with <b>some </b>soup before digging in with gusto.
Janice was seated right next to her Shermaine picked up the te of shrimp and said, “<b>Grandina</b>, why don’t <b>you </b>have some shrimp? It’s delicious<b>.</b>”
“Oh, you <b>are </b>so sweet, honey,” Janice said with a
Leon copied her, passing t the creamy gallic chicken to Janice “Grandina, have some chicken
“Thank you, dear” Janice replied, clearly pleased
Clyde and Wendelyn also offered dishes. But Janice just looked at Wendelyn without taking the te, her face instantly clouding with distaste. Then tha said tly, “I don’t eat this?
Wendelyn’s face turned <b>pale </b><b>again</b>. She bit her lip and lowered her head, looking pitiful. “I’in sorry, Grandma”
“Mom Jameson called out Janice snorted coldly
Ruth felt anxious, but there was nothing she could do. So she cursed inwardly. She is so annoying, always picking on Wendy!
Shermaine couldn’t be happier as she saw this. She recalled her first day back at the Jean residence. She had sugested that Ruth try some food,
dung that since she was back, she should build rapport and strengthen bonds with her parents.
But Ruth had kept a cold expression and, right in front of everyone, said she didn’t eat that dish because it was her least favorite
Wendel
as thoughtful as ever, had chimed in, exinin hat their mother liked to out and what colors she preferred.
mang had barely resisted the urge to poll her gi
had stepped in to smooth thi
telling her that she didn’t need to please anyone in this family–shej
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At this point, Shermaine couldn’t help but wonder, ‘Could it be that Grandma knows everything happening in this family, despite living in the <b>suburbs</b>? is she taking revenge for me?”
<b>As </b>she was pondering, Joshua ced a piece of crab meat in her bowl. “Try this”
Shermaine snapped out of her thoughts, blinked, and then popped some crab meat into her mouth. She smiled. “It’s delicious”
She looked at the spread of food and, returning the gesture, helped him with some fresh fish. “This <b>looks </b>good, too. Try it”
Seeing this, Wendelyn tightened her grip on her fork. “Shermaine, Mr. York doesn’t eat fish.
pat fish?”
I <b>asked</b>, “You don’t eat
Shermaine instinctively nced at Joshua and asked, ”
Joshua popped a piece of fish into his mouth, chewing <b>slowly </b>before swallowing. I don’t eat fish? That’s news to me,” he said. He’d just gone through a <b>phase </b>where he ate vegetarian food, and somehow, numers started circting that he’d joined some kind of religion and sworn off meat.
Wendelyn could barely keep herposure. She forced a smile and said, “I read <b>a </b>news report about you once, Mr. York. It said you don’t eat fish”
Janice chimed in with a sharp tone. “That kind of news is just nonsense. You should stop reading that trash.”
“Twill, Grandma,” Wendelyn muttered, lowering her head. Her hands, hidden under the table, were shaking with frustration.
Janice was spot on these reports were indeed wild rumors.
For Shermaine, this was the first time she truly felt at ease during a Jean family dinner.
Rout
There was just one small incident, while Leslie was peeling shrimp, he identally pricked his finger, and blood kept oozing o
Ruth spoke up. “Sheary, there’s some tissue next to you. Can you pass it to Leslie?”
There was tissue right next to <b>Clyde</b>, but Ruth <b>had </b>asked Shermaine to help.
Sheimaine didn’t say anything and just passed it over.
“Thanks” Leslie took the tissue, but as he did, his fingertips identally <b>brushed </b>against Shermaine’s, and his heart instantly started racing.
Ruth noticed and <b>gave </b><b>a </b>subtle, almost imperceptible smile
After dinner, Shenmaine checked the time–it was almost nine. Although she didn’t want to leave her grandmother, she still gave Joshua a look, silently
asking. “When are we leaving?”
Surprisingly, <b>Joshua </b><b>understood </b>her unspoken question and leaned in to whisper in her ear, “<b>Just </b><b>a </b>bit longer. Your father wants to talk to me <b>in </b>the
study.”
“Okay<b>” </b>Shermaine felt a little tickle in her ear from his <b>breath</b>.
After Joshua went upstairs to the <b>study</b>, Clyde suddenly started urging everyone to y “Phantom Epoch.” He then called out to Shermaine, who had
been sitting in the living room.
The elderly folks had a habit of taking a walk after dinner, so Janice and her own housekeeper went out for a stroll to help with digestion.
When Shermaine heard <b>Phantom </b><b>Epoch</b>, she replied, “I’ve never yed it before. Don’t know how.” She had heard of it and knew it was a <b>mobile </b>game very simr to League of Legends, which she was actually quite good at
Clyde waved his hand dismissively. “That’s okay. It’s just a game. Don’t be a buzzkill”
“Come <b>on</b>, Sheary, I’ll protect you,” Leon said, patting his chest and grinning
Leslie chimed in, “It’s a fun game. You should give it a try”
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“Buzzkill? You just don’t deserve my time.” Shermaine thought, chuckling. Not wanting <b>Leon </b>to be disappointed, she pulled out her phone and sald, “Tine, 171 download it now.”
Atriumphant grin spread across Clyde’s face. He knew that most girls weren’t good at the game, and newbies were usually terrible. He was looking forward to seeing Shermaine repeatedly get killed in the game, so he couldugh at her.
Thanks to the game elerator she made hersell, within two minutes, the game was ready to go. After logging in, finishing the tutorial, and adding Leon as a friend, she <b>was </b>added to their team
Leslie was the team captain, and he was a Ster Hunter, Clyde and Leon were both Ster Guardians.
Once everything was ready, the game began.
with
no heroes unlocked, Shermaine just picked a random marksman. After all, she usually yed the marksman and jungler roles in League of Legends.
<b>Leslie’s </b>rank was high, so the opponents were no slouches either.
As a beginner. Shermaine struggled to get the hang of it. Barely three minutes in, she was taken down by the enemy marksman, giving them First <b>Blood </b>
Her support didn’t say anything and continued to stick by her side.
died two more times, Clyde couldn’t hold back. “Shermaine, you’re getting stomped. Who don’t you just back off? Don’t keep Eghting the (marksman–you’re not gonna win that fight”
Shermaine shrugged it off. “It’s <b>just </b>a game. Why be so serious?”
Leslie, ying jungle, was doing pretty well, in no time, he had five kills. Meanwhile, Shermaine kept feeding, so the score <b>was </b>tied, and the <b>gold </b>difference wasn’t that big<b>. </b>
After Shermaine <b>died </b><b>again</b>, this time from an enemy ambush, Clyde kept onining. “Shermaine, <b>seriously</b>? Another death? Please, stop feeding okay?”
“Seriously, how can you be so bad at this? Just stick with us if you don’t know how to y. If you keep feeding like <b>this</b>, how are we supposed to win?”
“You’re so good at fighting in real life, making Ronnie’s gang run scared when they see you. Howe you’re so bad at this game? This doesn’t fit your image”
Hisints just kept going and going
Leon couldn’t stand it anymore. <b>“</b>It’s not even a ranked match. Why are <b>you </b>yelling at her<b>?</b><b>” </b>
“Did I yell at her?” Clyde feigned innocence.
Leslie wanted to say something but <b>just </b>held back.
Shermaine <b>wasn’t </b>really <b>focusing </b>on the game. She was in a hurry to leave because she’d promised to butor her ssmates <b>in </b>a livestream tonight. She knew the problem wasn’t really her gamey–just that she wasn’t paying full attention.
Shermaine was frustrated with Clyde’s loud noise, her gaze turning a bit colder. “Clyde, if i get a pentakill, will you shut up?”
Clyde snorted in disdain. “If you get <b>a </b>pentakill, ‘‘do whatever you want me to do.”
f
“Remember what you said. Don’t back outter, Shermaine replied. She wasn’t about to let him get away with being so dismissive–people who look down on others deserved a little lesson.
The match had been going on for over ten minutes, with both teams turrets destroyed. The game was at <b>a </b>stalemate. Finally, the enemy marksman, support, and top <bner</b>, trying to ambush Shermain in the jungle<b>, </b>managed to corner her.
<b>They </b>thought they could take her out, but to their surprise, Shermaine seemed to suddenly level up, pulling off an amazing string of ys, taking down
the whole team. By the time their teammates arrived to support, it was toote.
What they thought would be an easy kill on the marksman turned into a disaster for them. Shermaine used her revival item, respawned in seconds, and
them took them put one by one, securing the pentakill
During this critical moment, the jungler was busy taking down the big monster and couldn’t provide timely support. Leon and Clyde <b>rushed </b>over to help Leon shielded some damage for Shermaine but was killed by the enemy marksman
Meanwhile, Clyde barely contributed he just stood there <b>like </b>a bystander, doing nothing. When he saw Sharmaine die, he sighed in relief. But then, to his shock, Shermaine swapped het revival item in the blink of an eye–her reaction speed was insane.
If Shermaine weren’t sitting right in front of him, he’d think she was cheating
Sheraine then ordered, “Push midne
When the enemy team surrendered, Shermaine looked up at Clyde, whose face was now a mix of frustration and embarrassment.
Shermaine chuckled. “Now, time to keep your promise. There’s a bit of leftover food tonight. How about you finish it all
Leon held back hisughter, thinking. A bit of? There’s a lot of it. And Sheary’s incredible–her counter–kill just now was pure b
brilliance!<ul><li>that moment, upstairs, Joshua came out of the study. Suddenly, a strong scent wahed through the air, mixed with a hint of alcohol. Then Wendelyn neared, her steps unsteady as if she were drunk. Tears shimmered in her eyes as she stumbled toward Joshua.</li></ul>
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