Chapter 28
After getting out of the car, Avery found herself lost in thought as she looked at Serenity
Manor.
She had heard that this property was a gift from Joshua’s older brother, Jimmy, who had spent a small fortune to buy it for Joshua on his 18th birthday.
Unfortunately, Joshua had been abroad for medical treatment at the time, and by the time he returned, Jimmy had already passed away. The brothers never even had a chance to say goodbye.
Joshua had lived here ever since he got back.
Before Avery could collect her thoughts, Joshua took her hand and walked toward the entrance.
The maids exchanged surprised glances upon seeing Joshua bring Avery into the house. He was even holding her hand. Could Serenity Manor be getting a mistress soon?
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“Welcome back, Mr. Smith,” greeted Vera Bullock as she stepped forward. But when her eyes fell on Avery, her steps faltered. She thought that Avery looked a lot like the young lady from the Haven family.
“Vera, this is Avery Sinclair. Please take care of her from now on,” Joshua said casually.
Vera snapped out of her daze and quickly responded, “Of course, Mr. Smith.”
Noticing the visible marks on Avery’s face, Vera’s expression shifted with concern. “Ms. Sinclair, what happened to your face? Would you like me to fetch some medicine?”
“No, thank you, Vera,” Avery replied gently, turning down her offer with a smile.
Vera nodded, still concerned. “Will you and Mr. Smith be staying for dinner tonight?”
Joshua frowned slightly at the way Vera referred to Avery. “Tell the staff downstairs to start calling her ‘Mrs. Smith‘ from now on.”
“Understood,” Vera said, nodding.
Once she left, Avery quietly asked, “Don’t you think it’s a bit much for them to call me ‘Mrs. Smith‘ already?”
Joshua glanced at her, unfazed. “What’s wrong with it?”
As he reached into his pocket for a cigarette, Avery snatched it away from him. He turned to look at her, and for some reason, she thought she saw a flicker of pity in his
eyes.
The thought startled her. No, it couldn’t be. She must have imagined it. But despite her denial, she couldn’t help but glance at him again.
Chapter 28
Just then, he tried to take the cigarette back from her, and she quickly hid it behind her, putting some distance between them. “Your lungs are bad, so you need to stop smoking.”
“I only smoke occasionally,” Joshua said casually. “And stop frowning. It makes you look ugly.
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Rather than being offended, she just laughed and asked teasingly, “If I gave the cigarette back to you, would you still say that?”
A flicker of embarrassment flashed across his face. He grabbed the teacup on the table and took a sip, trying to ignore her.
She couldn’t help but smile wider. Who would have thought this powerful, business–savvy man could have such a vulnerable side? If she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, she would
never have believed it.
Seeing her continue to smile at him, Joshua put his teacup down with a loud clink, the sound cutting through the air.
“Mr. Smith, are you upset?” Avery asked playfully, unafraid. She even looped her arm around his. “Don’t be so petty.”
Joshua’s irritation melted under her coquettish behavior. Then, he suddenly turned serious, looking straight into her eyes. “Were you worried about me?”
She met his gaze, her heart skipping a beat under the intensity of his stare.
