bChapter /bb564 /b

38

Molly hated to admit it, but Roy had be a fixture in her heart, deeply, and stubbornly lodged. She’d once convinced herself her feelings were bminor/b, maybe even just a fleeting attraction.

But ever since he vanished, that illusion had shattered. The ache didn’t fade with time. It grew and gnawed at her, day by day.

Worse, it was messing with her ambition. Two years had passed. Her father was visibly declining, yet he still hadn’t named a sessor. The power vacuum only made the scramble to the top more brutal and desperate. Everyone wanted the throne.

And yet Molly was losing interest. She exhaled slowly, cigarette between her fingers.

Powerb, /bwealth, legacy… things she’d once obsessed over now felt like cheap distractions.

Even if she won, it would mean nothing if Roy was gone. Somewhere along the way, she’d lost the only thing that truly mattered.

Shermaine had tried tofort her when she came back. She and Joshua were already looking into Roy’s disappearance. If there were any updates, Molly would be the first to know. But for now, there was only silence. And silence was the worst kind of answer.

She nced around the office, piles of files, endless agendas, corporate clutter. The irritation rose before she could stop it. Without thinking, she grabbed her bag and keys and walked out, needing to breathe.

Shermaine was now living two lives. By day, she returned to Maple Leaf Ville. By night, she was back in the city, sleeping next to Joshua.

She hadn’t expected him to be this clingy. Apparently, he couldn’t fall asleep without her beside him.

It wasn’t exhausting, and it didn’t take much effort. Still, Shermaine knew this couldn’t go on.

He needed to learn to sleep alone. What if she had to leave for a few days in the future? Was he just going to stay up all night like a lovesick fool?

Life in the countryside had been oddly healing, slow, simple, and even fun, especially for Dave, who had made himself right at home.

“This ce is exactly what I dreamed of,” he said one afternoon, floppingzily on the porch. “Fried chicken, rivers, mountains… y all day, nap all night. It’s paradisei./ii” /i

That night came quickly. Once again, Shermaine made the trip back to the city.

Before she left, Owen handed her a small pot of soup for Joshua.

When she arrived at Riverswood Vi, the sound of running water echoed from the bathroom.

On the bed was a box. She opened it and paused. Inside was a breathtaking gown, deep blue, sequined like a starry sky, with a dramatic train and delicate off–shoulder cut. A sheer shawl in matching blue misted over the top, not warm, but undeniably elegant.

Shermaine couldn’t help herself. She took the dress into the walk–in closet and tried it on.

It fit like a dream. Every curve and every line was made for her.

Standing before the mirrorb, /bshe added sapphire earrings and a matching ne. In an instantb, /bshe looked like royaltyb, /bmysteriousb, /bgracefulb, /bbpowerful/bb, /blike a queen from some oceanic kingdom, wrapped in moonlight and velvet.

Then she remembered Joshua had mentioned the York Group’s annual g. Technically, it bwas /bba /bjoint event bwith /bbthe /bJean Group. bIt /bbwas /bbset /bbon /bbthe /bbsame /bnight and in the same hotel.

The entire five–star venue had been booked out. Every major yer in Basterel’s businessb, /bbpolitics/bb, /band media would be bthere/bb. /b

b1/3 /b

Chapter 564.

It would be their official return to the public eye and the perfect stage for it.

Shermaine turned slightly, checking her reflection onest time. She reached behind her, about to unzip the dress when she bfelt /bwarmth press in bfrom /bbehind, damp with the scent of shower steam.

Joshua brushed her hair gently over one shoulder. His lips followed, kissing the bare skin of her back, soft at first, then lingering. A momentter, she felt bhis /bmouth tighten slightly, a yful sting.

b“/bCareful,” she said with a small smile, not moving. “Aren’t I supposed to be going with you to this g? You leave a mark, I’m not going.” Everyone already knew she was alive. This wasn’t the only night she could make a statement.

She was sure her inbox was flooded with invitations anyway. She just never bothered to open them.

Joshua murmured, “You have a shawl.”

“And that’s not a pass,” she shot back.

He chuckled against her skin, tempted to leave another kiss anyway. But if her back was off–limits, he’d just find somewhere else no one would see.

In one smooth motion, he picked her up, her arms instinctively wrapping around his neck. The midnight–blue gown shimmered and swirled around them

as he carried her to the bed.

“Your grandpa made you some soup,” Shermaine said.

Joshua gave her a look. “Please don’t tell me it’s m soup again.”

Shermaine chuckled, catching the sarcasm in his voice. “How would I know? I didn’t even open it.”

Joshua set her down gently on the bed. “Next time he brings soup, just leave it. I don’t need to nourish myself.”

Shermaine smirked, teasing, “Owen put his heart into it. I’d feel bad turning him down.”

It had been weeks since they’dst been intimate. Joshua had been working nonstop, and by the time he got home, it was always toote and he didn’t want to disturb her. But tonight was different. He’d been saving his energy for something more satisfying.

He pushed Shermaine down onto the dark sheets, his body pressing over hers as he kissed her, deep and full of want. The kiss wasn’t gentle. It was hungry, almost possessive, thick with tension he hadn’t let out in days.

She broke away after a moment, breathless. “Careful. This dress wrinkles easily.”

Joshua brushed his hand up her leg, lifting the hem just enough to reveal her silhouette. “I’ll be gentle,” he murmured.

He loved how she looked in that dress, elegant, alluring, almost sacred in its beauty. It made him want to ruin her in the best possible way. “Sheary… did iyou /imiss me?”

Her cheeks flushed under his gaze, as if painted by heat.

Joshua leaned in again, kissing her softer this time. “Tell me,” he whispered, “did you?”

Shermaine stretched like azy cat, her voice teasing. “Even if I did, I bet it’s nothingpared to how much you missed me.b” /bbShe /bbnipped /bbhis /blower blip /blightly. “Just don’t mess up the dress.”

Joshua’s breathing grew heavier. His grip tightened. “If it gets ruined, I’ll just have a new one made. There’s still time.b” /b

Shermaine arched an eyebrow. “Well, tonight n to spoil this dress.b” /b

“Sheary,” he groaned, batfughing, “don’t do this to me.”

She gave him a wicked smile. “Tooteb, /bbI /balready am.”

b2/3 /b

b11:36 /bbTue/bb, /bb22 /bbJul /bXI GM

Meanwhile, Danielle was struggling with apletely different dress dilemma.

She had too many, and yesterday, Ross had someone drop off a whole new batch, delicate little things in pastel shades, all hanging neatly bin /bher walkb–/bin

closet.

Wearing one of Ross‘ button–downs, Danielle picked out a few dresses, snapped some photos, and sent them to Shermaine. But there was no breply/b.

‘Is she busy?‘ she wondered, frowning.

Just then, Shermaine’s Orthish came to life on the bed, even though Shermaine and Joshua weren’t around.

That didn’t stop it from being loud.

“Lovely, radiant, gracious master! You have a message! You have a message!” it dered at full volume, filling the empty room with dramatic ir.

Of course, no one responded.

Danielle was just about to call her when Ross walked in. “Don’t bother,” he said casually. “Can’t reach Joshua either.”

Danielle blinked, then instantly caught on. She grinned, wisely deciding bnot /bto interrupt whatever they were getting up to.

Holding the dresses in her arms, she turned to Ross. “So… which one do you like best?”

“You’d look amazing in all of them,” he replied, not missing a beat.

Danielle smiled. He’d gotten very good at saying the right thingstely. “Come on. Just pick one for me.”

Ross pointed to the purple dress. It had the most fabric and brought out the elegance in her features, and Danielle had always looked incredible in purple.

Now that the decision was made, she moved on to jewelry. But everything she picked up felt familiarb, /bworn, done, uninspired. Nothing felt right

anymore.

Turning ito /iiRoss /iagain, she draped her arms around his neck. “I think I’m missing a few essories. Will youe shopping with me tomorrow?”

Ross gave her a looki. /ii“/iAren’t you forgetting something?”

Danielle twirled his tie around her finger, her voice sweet and yful. “Baby… will you?”

He melted instantly. “Of coursei,/i” he said, pulling her closer. “Say it again.”

She giggled, repeating it in a dozen different itones/i, each ione /isweeter than thest

He kissed iher /itenderly, unable to resist. “Forget tomorrow. I’m taking you right now.”

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