Chapter 551

Downstairs in the game room, Henry and Joshua were playing pool.

Joshua, calm and composed in a black turtleneck, lined up his shot. He bent down with practiced ease and struck. The striped 11-ball rolled smoothly into the corner pocket with a sharp thunk.

Henry stood off to the side, a cigarette between his fingers. He flicked the ash, watching. “Hey, Joshua, that Kingdom of Xyperia place… do they even have pool tables?”

“No,” Joshua replied.

Henry’s hand twitched. “So, you went two years without playing and still didn’t get rusty?”

Joshua raised a brow, his expression dry. “You just saw for yourself.”

Henry groaned. “You could at least let me take the opening shot.”

“Be patient,” Joshua said.

So Henry waited… and waited… until the next round finally came.

They played several more games. Joshua was clearly enjoying himself. Henry, not so much. It was hard to have fun when you never won.

After the match, Henry grabbed a water bottle and leaned back. “Hey, Joshua, about Roy… think you could give me a hand?”

“I already am,” Joshua said.

Henry exhaled, relieved. “Good. Once we find that idiot, he better compensate me for two years of wasted time.”

Around ten o’clock, Ross came back through the front door.

As he was passing by the game room, Henry called out, “Wanna join?”

Ross shook his head. “Danielle’s waiting on me.”

Henry muttered under his breath, “Must be nice…” Poor guy didn’t even have a girlfriend. Watching all his friends pair off had left him genuinely envious. But then a thought struck him, and a grin followed. “Then get Sheary to come down,” he said.

Ross gave a quick nod.

Joshua chuckled. “Henry, you’ve gotten smarter over the last two years.”

Henry said nothing, but everyone knew if anyone in this estate could beat Joshua, it was Shermaine.

Upstairs, Danielle was tipsy. She had never been much of a drinker, and the wine was definitely catching up to her.

Lily had drunk quite a bit too. Shermaine had already asked the staff to prepare a guest room for her, letting her crash for the night instead of driving home.

Ross knocked, then opened the door, and stepped in. Danielle was sitting on the carpet, hugging a wine bottle, her amber eyes hazy and shimmering as she kept drinking with Lily.

Ordinarily, Ross would’ve stopped her from drinking this much, but with Shermaine finally home, he knew Danielle was just happy and didn’t want to dampen the mood.

If it weren’t for what happened with Emma, he would’ve liked to stay and catch up with Shermaine too.

“Sheary,” he called gently.

Shermaine nodded. “Danielle had a bit too much.”

Ross didn’t seem concerned. “She’s excited to see you. Let her have it.”

Shermaine knew Danielle had been worried about Ross. She walked over and said softly, “Ross is back.”

Danielle turned at the sound of his name. She set down her drink and gazed at him, totally mesmerized.

Shermaine couldn’t help but shoot Ross a teasing look. The way they acted around each other, their relationship was somehow even sweeter than hers had ever been with Joshua.

Ross took it all in stride. As if this were the most normal thing in the world, he walked over and lifted Danielle into his arms.

She grumbled, “Why were you gone so long? What happened with Emma?”

Ross didn’t hide it. “I’ve got security watching her now. Until they catch the guy, you need to be careful at the hospital.”

Danielle blinked. “Why me?”

“Because the man who went after her is tied to someone from my past. He wasn’t really after Emma… He was after me.”

“Then why go after her? She’s not even your-” She was drunk, but her logic was still sharp.

Ross had asked himself the same question. The more he thought about it, the more he suspected the attacker had simply misunderstood, maybe assuming Emma was involved with him romantically. “Could be the rumors. Maybe he believed them and thought she mattered to me,” Ross said.

Danielle scoffed, “What, the guy didn’t bother doing a basic internet search before trying to commit murder? Could’ve figured out you’re mine in two seconds. My future husband.”

It wasn’t something Ross could argue with.

He pinched her cheek, amused. “That’s why I told you to be careful. He might still come after you.”

Danielle narrowed her eyes, proud as ever. “I’ve got Sheary and you. I’m not worried.”

Ross’ voice softened. “Not going to argue with a drunk. Ready to go to bed?”

“Yep.” She kissed Shermaine good night. “Night, Sheary.”

Shermaine smiled. “Good night, Danielle.”

As Ross lifted her again, he turned back. “Sheary,” he said with a smirk, “Henry’s getting thrashed and wants backup. Thinks you’re the only one who can beat your husband.”

Shermaine arched a brow. “Well, somebody’s got to save him.”

Lily didn’t follow them to the game room. She headed to the guest room, ready to get some sleep before work in the morning.

Ross carried Danielle into their room. Her legs wrapped instinctively around his waist, her voice soft and teasing. “Ross, Gracie’s so cute. Let’s have one of our own.”

She was picturing a baby boy, a little cousin to Gracie, growing up beside her, looking out for her.

What she didn’t know was that someday, Gracie would grow up to be just like Shermaine, a total powerhouse.