Chapter 214

The moment Shermaine arrived, everyone at the graduation party rushed over to congratulate them. The crowd buzzed with excitement as they offered their best wishes.

Kylie sipped her drink and watched the couple at the center of attention. Even from a distance, she couldn’t help but notice how stunning the couple looked together. They both had that classic Wallingtonian beauty that seemed to light up the entire room.

“That’s Joshua, Kylie,” Sarah said, nodding toward the handsome man.

“I see him, Grandma.” Kylie couldn’t help but add, “He’s really good-looking.”

Coming from Kylie, that was high praise. She had incredibly high standards when it came to beauty and rarely complimented anyone’s appearance. Sarah felt a surge of pride that Joshua had earned such approval from Kylie.

“Too bad he’s engaged to a woman who can’t keep her hands off other men. They’ll probably be married soon.”

Sarah would’ve been the first to object to Shermaine joining the family if only she hadn’t burned her bridges with the Yorks and lost any right to speak up.

Kylie propped her chin on her hand, saying nothing, but her eyes stayed glued to Joshua and Shermaine with obvious interest.

As a woman, she wasn’t particularly interested in other beautiful women. But everything about Joshua–his looks, his build–was attractive. He had more masculine appeal than any man she’d ever dated.

Meanwhile, one floor below, things were completely different.

While Shermaine’s party upstairs was buzzing with excitement, Natalie’s celebration felt painfully empty.

She’d specifically invited all her friends from their social circle, but not a single one had shown up. Ruth had managed to lure every last one of them upstairs to the other party.

Now, the entire party hall held only Jason’s classmates and friends, along with some relatives from the Keller family side.

The Keller family relatives had shown up expecting to mingle with the wealthy elite, hoping their daughters might catch the eye of someone important. But the turnout was disappointing.

There were barely any rich and powerful who had bothered to show up. You could see the frustration written all over the Kellers’ faces as they stood around with sour expressions.

After all, a mistress was still just a mistress. Without official status, Natalie faced cold shoulders and judgmental looks wherever she went. She was shameless, though. She didn’t seem to care. Most people in her position wouldn’t dare parade around so boldly.

Jason was in a similar boat. He’d come so close to being officially recognized by the family, but close didn’t count. He was almost there.

The whole atmosphere was incredibly awkward.

Natalie kept that bright smile plastered on her face, but inside, she was seething. ‘Ruth invited all my distinguished guests upstairs,’ she thought bitterly. ‘She’s doing this to target me. She wants to humiliate me and watch me squirm.’

Jason’s expression remained cold and distant. Ever since Danielle had rejected him again at the hospital, his hunger for power and status had only grown stronger.

“Mom, when’s Dad planning to come today?” Jason asked.

Natalie remembered that Jameson had mentioned on their last call that he might not be able to make it to the party in person. But for an occasion like this, she absolutely needed him here to back her up.

“I’ll call your father right now,” Natalie replied. “That Ruth has gone too far this time.”

Jason nodded. “I need to talk to him about something. Make sure he comes.”

“Okay.”

Meanwhile, Shermaine found herself with an armful of gifts. When she couldn’t hold any more, she started handing them to Joshua:

Before long, Joshua’s pockets were stuffed full of presents, and he was juggling even more in his hands.

Just when it seemed like he couldn’t possibly carry another thing, the gift-giving finally stopped.

Shermaine held out her purse to him. “Put them in here.”

Joshua did as she asked.

Everyone was genuinely shocked when they saw Joshua, the famously aloof heartthrob, practically glued to Shermaine’s side. It was even more surprising watching Shermaine boss him around, making him fetch her drinks and whatever else she needed.

“Sheary, you’re sweating,” Joshua noticed. The air conditioning wasn’t doing its job, and with all those people crowding around them earlier, even Shermaine’s light outfit wasn’t keeping her cool.

Shermaine held out her palm expectantly. “Tissue.”

Joshua always carried a handkerchief; it was one of his habits. He pulled it out and gently wiped the sweat from her face himself. “Are you tired from standing?” he asked softly.

He hadn’t forgotten how he’d used her lap for his purposes the night before.