<b>Chapter </b><b>186 </b>


    They were so close that Shermaine could feel every subtle shift in Joshua. Her ears burned bright red as she gritted her teeth and hissed, “Joshua!”


    Joshua’s eyes gleamed with mischief as he nted a coaxing kiss on her forehead. “Sheary,” he murmured, “I had a few drinks tonight… I just can’t help myself around you.”


    “Stop holding me like this!” Shermaine protested.


    Shermaine struggled to free herself from the tangled sheets, but Joshua only grew more restless. With one firm hand, he pinned her against his chest, refusing to let her squirm around like a restless little worm.


    Joshua’s voice came out husky. “Sheary, let me take a moment… hmm?”


    Shermaine nced at him, noticing how seductively alluring he looked, flushed with desire. She bit her lip, then rested her head against his chest and closed her eyes withnguid contentment.


    His heartbeat was steady and strong.


    Outside, the moonlight spilled across the night, quiet and endless.


    The room was wrapped in tranquil silence.


    The next morning, Trance woke up with a splitting headache,pounded by heartbreak. Without hesitation, he called his uncle Oliver to vent. Sobbing, he said, “Uncle Oliver, I got rejected again! I’m totally heartbroken. Sheary has a fiancé–she told me herself she’s in love with that guy.”


    By the next morning, Oliver lookedpletely unfazed. He said matter–of–factly, “I knew you’d fail. Gave up hope ages ago. Better luck next time, Trance.”


    “Uncle Oliver,” she whined, “why won’t you at least try tofort me?”


    Oliver shrugged. “I’m used to it.”


    Every time Trance got rejected, he’d call Oliver to sob his heart out–and if he was nearby, he’d show up clutching a bottle, bawling his eyes out. By now, his heartbreaks were just another day at the office for Oliver.


    Oliver asked with a grin, “By the way, is Sheary’s fiancé hot? Got a picture of him? Send it over- -I’m dying to see what he looks like!”


    Annoyed, Trance hung up. But Oliver, relentless as ever, immediately called back–so Trance hung up again.


    The helicopter touched down on the rooftop of the Gxy Club.


    Since Trance hade all the way there, Shermaine decided to skip school today and show him around Basterel.


    Afternding the helicopter, the pilot couldn’t help but sneak a nce at Joshua behind him. Joshua was dressed in a crisp white dress shirt, and there, clear as day on his neck, was a very obvious hickey.


    ‘Wow. Looks like things got pretty heated between Mr. York and Ms. Shuest night.’ the pilot wondered.


    As soon as the helicopternded, Shermaine unbuckled her seatbelt and stepped out. She looked effortlessly stylish in light–wash jeans and an oversized white sweater, her long hair braided into a loose it that fell to her waist<b>, </b>topped with a ck hat.


    Joshua stepped after her, catching Shermaine’s hand and intecing their fingers as they descended from the rooftop.


    At <b>the </b>parking lot, Shermaine took out her car keys with a gentle smile. “You should head back to work. I’ll go meet up with Trance.”


    Joshua pressed his lips. “I’ll go with you,” he <b>said </b>White Trance wasn’t much of a threat as a romantic rival in his eyes, their close <b>friendship </b><b>meant </b>he still needed to stay cautious.


    <b>1/2 </b>


    18:14 Fri, 13 Jun


    76%


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    “No need. Trance isn’t some pestering admirer. Besides, I made things crystal clear to himst night. So rx, Mr. York,” Shermaine’s voice dripped with yful sarcasm.


    At Shermaine’s words, Joshuapletely dismissed Trance as a romantic rival. “Yeah, I trust you, Sheary,” he said.


    Sheary always knew where to draw the line.


    She opened the car door and nced up at Joshua. The refined yet sensual man wore a faint, alluring smile, but the only thing marring his image was the visible hickey on his neck–a love bite bound to raise eyebrows.


    With a teasing tone, she reminded him, “You should cover that up before going to the office.”


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