Chapter 283

Ruth’s health was indeed fragile. After the emotional reunion, she suddenly fainted.

This startled Janice badly, but luckily, Shermaine was there.

After settling Ruth in a guest room, she examined her. The years as a coma patient had taken a toll, but nothing irreversible. Shermaine was confident she could help Ruth recover with proper care.

That night, Jameson’s absence was a blessing. His presence would only aggravate Ruth further.

That afternoon, Shermaine didn’t return to school. She prepared medicine and fed it carefully to the unconscious Ruth. Suddenly, her phone rang. It was Joshua calling.

Handing the medicine to Ross, Shermaine said, “Take over for me.”

“Got it,” Ross nodded.

Shermaine stepped out to take the call.

“At school yet?” Joshua asked. He had heard about Jean Group’s shareholder meeting and how Shermaine had dismantled Jameson. Just thinking about the scene Bradley described amused Joshua.

Shermaine replied, “I’m not going back to school today.”

Joshua raised an eyebrow.

Shermaine’s voice carried rare lightness as she said, “Joshua.”

Joshua hummed in response.

She continued, “My mom is alive. She was rescued years ago.”

“So your birth mother returned?” Joshua caught on quickly.

“Yes,” Shermaine replied.

Given how perfectly everything had timed out, Joshua asked, “Confirmed?”

“Undeniably. Come and meet her tonight.” That first glance had erased all doubt. Shermaine was sure that Ruth was her mother. The timing was uncanny but perfect.

Joshua smiled, “I’ll be there.”

Under the bright moonlight, Ruth awoke just in time for dinner, and she met Joshua.

She vividly remembered that Shermaine had been engaged to him years ago. Back then, Joshua had already been a prodigy, his brilliance undeniable. That was why Ruth hadn’t objected to their age gap when Owen proposed the match.

Ruth smiled gently, “Joshua, it’s been years.”

Any lingering doubts about her identity vanished the moment Joshua saw her. He greeted her with a smile.

“You and Sheary married?” Ruth asked.

“Legally, yes,” Joshua said. “But we’ve yet to hold the wedding.”

Relief washed over Ruth. At least she could witness her daughter’s wedding.

Today had given her everything—reunited with Shermaine and Ross, meeting Joshua. Happiness radiated from Ruth.

Tonight, Jean residence buzzed with rare warmth.

Shermaine drank happily. Even Ross, who usually restrained, indulged in a few glasses of red wine.

Ross didn’t have much of a tolerance for alcohol. Normally, at business dinners, his assistant would drink for him. But tonight, after just two glasses of red wine, he already felt a bit light-headed.

Ruth, still weak from her condition, only sipped on soup but kept serving dishes to the others, her face glowing with joy.

Shermaine couldn’t help but think how blind Jameson had been. Ruth was stunningly beautiful, intelligent, and graceful. How could he have chosen someone like Natalie? That woman didn’t even come close to matching Ruth’s qualities.

“Mom, you’re piling our plates. Focus on your own meal,” Shermaine said gently.

“Okay,” Ruth smiled, but she kept serving them anyway, peeling shrimp and placing them onto their plates. In her eyes, they were still her children who needed her care.

Overjoyed, Shermaine drank a little too much.

Joshua finished his meal and walked over to her side, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead. “Need me to carry you upstairs?”

“Mm,” Shermaine nodded.

Joshua opened his arms, and she leaned right into him, clinging like a koala.

Watching them, Ross couldn’t help but think of Danielle. He thought, ‘If I hadn’t hesitated, she might be here tonight, sharing this joy!’

At Yaleview Hospital, Danielle was mid-meeting when her phone buzzed. It was a photo from Ross.

In the photo, Ross bathed in warm light and reclined on a sofa. His collar was slightly undone, revealing a hint of collarbone. The usual cool detachment in his eyes had softened into something intoxicating.

Danielle’s breath hitched. She had first fallen for his appearance. And over time, that attraction had only deepened. Now, seeing him like this, sexy and attractive, sent a flutter through her chest.

Pursing her lips, Danielle ignored the message. She thought, ‘What’s his game?’

Ross waited, deflating when no reply came. He thought, ‘I’m not tempting enough?’

He sent: [Not good?]

Danielle: […]

Ross had never done anything like this. Ears burning, Ross gave up. Seduction wasn’t his forte.

Danielle wrapped her meeting. In two days, she would leave for Lightspring City’s earthquake relief efforts. It was a grueling three-week mission. The casualty reports were grim.

Upstairs, Shermaine, thoroughly tipsy, straddled Joshua’s waist, yanking at his buttons. “Show me your tattoo.”

Joshua indulged her. “What’s so interesting about it?”

“It’s sexy,” Shermaine insisted, slurring slightly. “Take it off.”

Laughing, Joshua complied.

The past few days, Shermaine had been shuttling between school and home to spend time with Ruth.

Danielle, now on her relief mission in Lightspring City, had heard the news, as had Lily. Even Lily caught wind of the news somehow.

“So Ross drank because he was celebrating?” Danielle asked during their call.

Shermaine chuckled, “A little.”

“That explains it.”

“Did he do something?”

“He sent me a photo.”

Shermaine laughed, “It seems he’s trying to reconnect.”

Danielle neither confirmed nor denied. She could tell that Ross had been trying to get closer to her again. It seemed like he was making a move.

Jameson hadn’t returned to Jean residence once at all in those days, opting to stay with Natalie as if her place were now his home.

That evening, after dinner at a restaurant, Shermaine took Ruth shopping for essentials.

In the private dining room, Ruth put down her fork. “I’m going to the restroom.”

Shermaine offered to go with her, but Ruth shook her head.

Ruth stepped out and asked a waiter for directions before heading toward the restroom.

Inside, Natalie stood in front of the mirror and touched up her makeup, phone on speaker. “Jason, don’t waste this chance your father gave you. And stay safe out there.”

“Mm,” Jason replied.

As soon as the call ended, Natalie finished fixing her makeup. At that moment, Ruth walked out of one of the stalls. She squeezed some hand soap into her palm and began washing her hands.

Natalie spotted Ruth in the mirror. Her grip tightened around Ruth’s arm. “Ruth? It’s really you!” Her smile turned venomous. “Jamie has been looking for you.”