Despite her protests, Clarissa was taken to a meal by Matthew.
Served with an assortment of delectable dishes at Skylight Restaurant, Clarissa decided to put a halt to her complaints.
After all, her grudges and dissatisfactions were directed at Matthew and not the delicious foods served.
Upon filing her tummy, Clarissa got up and asked the waiter for the bill.
Quickly, the manager approached in person and looked at Matthew awkwardly.
Staring directly at the manager, Clarissa demanded, “Stop looking at him. We’ve decided to go Dutch for this meal. What’s the total?”
Receiving a look of acknowledgment from Matthew, the manager smirked and revealed a number.
Clarissa’s eyelids twitched upon hearing it.
Ouch, such pain.
At such a price, even splitting the bill would cost her a small fortune.
She reluctantly pulled out her credit card while trying to keep her cool smile all the while.
“Okay then. Lead me to the cashier counter to foot this bill.”
“It’s okay. I’ll do it for you.”
Having taken Clarissa’s card, the manager turned and walked out of the private lounge.
Meanwhile, she could only patiently wait.
She tried her best to ignore Matthew, nonchalantly lowering her head to browse her phone to pass the time.
Of course, the slight commotion had attracted unwanted attention from diners around. She could feel gazes fell on her, thus making her extremely uncomfortable. Clarissa prayed in her heart that the manager would come back quickly, or she might have to go out on her own.
“Clare.” The moment Matthew’s magnetic voice called out, she could feel her heart beating feverishly.
Trying to remain calm, she chose not to answer.
Since Clarissa did not respond, Matthew’s slightly twitched, perhaps from annoyance. Taking out a cigarette, he lit it between his fingers, took a deep huff, and puffed out a cloud of smoke.
The smell of smoke whiffed into Clarissa’s personal breathing space. This was what she was accustomed to: the smell of Matthew.
Slightly disturbed, she heard him said, “Just so you know. The rumors between Shermaine and I were orchestrated by the Smallwoods.”
Clarissa could not help but smirk. She could clearly see that the scandal did have the Smallwoods orchestration written all over it. However for him to act on the same page as the Smallwoods intended, could it be that his hands were tied?
As if reading her mind, Matthew continued to explain, “During that period, mother used her illness as a pretext to get Shermaine to visit her often. And every time mother asked me to pick her up, she and her doctor would cook up some lies to deceive me.”
With that revelation directly from his lips, Clarissa started to understand the whole situation.
Yet, she could not do anything nor have any say should the Tysons wanted Shermaine to be their daughter-in-law so much.
He continued, “That was also why I went to Moranta with her so she could receive treatment. Besides, the Wynters were exerting pressure on me. As a friend, I had to go visit her. That was it. I never did anything else other than that.”
Matthew had never treated Shermaine more than a friend.
It was the Smallwoods who sneakily tried to confirm their marriage through the rumors. The Wynters had turned a blind eye to their actions.
Previously, Matthew held back because of his brother, Matthias. He didn’t have a fallout with them and ignored the rumors circulating out there. After all, those rumors were unfounded. Matthew was already coming up with a plan to deal with the problem, so he wasn’t bothered at all.
Matthew was sure he could deal with the Wynters, but he had forgotten that Clarissa would misunderstand after reading the news. Besides, Ellie’s interference caused him to miss his chance to explain to her. He didn’t know this would happen.
Even if the Wynters tried to pressure him into listening to them, he handled them confidently while trying to find a way out. After all, he knew he had total control over the situation.
Just like he was sure the young lady would end up being his.
Hmm, contrary to my expectations, Clarissa is behaving too calmly.
Matthew took another puff of his cigarette and flicked it casually. As the ash fell into the ashtray, his gaze narrowed.
The young lady remained unfazed after hearing his explanation.
Licking his teeth, Matthew asked, “Clare, don’t you have anything to say?”
Clarissa looked up and met his gaze.
“I have nothing to say.”
With that, she rose to her feet and strode out of the private lounge. The manager was heading back with her card, so she took it from him and left without hesitation.
The moment she exited the room, a pair of stunning couples came toward her.
As Clarissa’s gaze landed on the lady, she recognized her immediately. Isn’t this the pretty celebrity with an innocent image who’s quite popular recently?
Look at the tall and burly man beside her. He’s different from the elegant Matthew and charming Jeremy. Wow, he’s smoldering hot. His arm is around her waist. I think he can snap her in two if he wants.
They brushed by each other in a matter of seconds.
They should’ve been strangers, but as Matthew caught up to her, the man glanced at Clarissa and smiled knowingly.
Matthew seemed to know this man as he inclined his head politely.
After they left, the celebrity asked her male partner.
“You know them?”
After they entered the private lounge, the man pulled her into his lap and caressed her gently. “That was Matthew and his girlfriend.”
“Oh? He decided to partner with you because of her, right?” the lady exclaimed. “No wonder. Look how pretty she is. If I were a man, I’d want to ravish her.”
A flash of displeasure appeared in the man’s gaze.
He lifted her chin and nibbled her lips. After a long silence, the lady’s lips became swollen. She wiped her lips and hissed in pain. However, she didn’t seem to be pissed off. Instead, she straddled him seductively. Her actions and words were the total opposite of the innocent image she showed to the public.
“Didn’t I satisfy you? Hmm?” Her hands trailed over his chest. “You’re so horny. I’ll feed you after dinner, alright?”
Before leaving the private lounge, Clarissa had already booked a ride. She ran out and got into her ride immediately. Finally, she got rid of Matthew.
After what had happened, she wasn’t in the mood for shopping anymore and decided to head home.
Clarissa took a nap and worked briefly on her laptop. When she went to her balcony, she saw the black car parked downstairs again.
He’s too free, huh?
Perhaps he’s doing this on purpose so I’ll forgive him. He knows I’ll notice his car.
Hmph!
This is the first time he’s doing this.
What a sly fox.
Anyway, he can do whatever he wants. I have plenty of time to spare. But he’s a president running a company. Let’s see who will stand till the end.
Meanwhile, Matthew indeed couldn’t spend all night here. He was bombarded with phone calls and emails constantly.
Soon, another phone call came in.
“Mr. Tyson, did you get her back? As your partner, do you want some suggestions from me?”
It was the beefy man Matthew had bumped into earlier.
Anger zipped past Mathew’s eyes.
“Mr. Shaw? No need. I don’t appreciate becoming a kept man.”
The man scoffed. “Well, my lover allowed me to live off her. Mr. Tyson, even if you desire, I don’t think Ms. Quigley will allow you to do so.”
Matthew’s gaze darkened in displeasure. Even if the man couldn’t see Matthew’s reaction now, he knew the latter must be brooding now.
Mr. Shaw couldn’t have been more delighted.
Back then, they were the top among their peers but hated each other immensely.
Even though they had partnered up now, they still despised each other.
“Well, Mr. Tyson. If you don’t want to listen to my advice, I won’t waste my time.” He promptly changed the topic. “Let’s talk business. My family discussed the positions which originally belonged to the Wynters, and we agree to your conditions. We’ll offer you something in return, of course.”
“I know you won’t let such a good opportunity go to waste.”
“Ha! You make it seem like you’re generous. We can get those without your help.”
“But you’ll have to pay a bigger price to achieve that.”
Mr. Shaw harrumphed. “Fine. This is beneficial to both of us. I can’t believe you were so ruthless to the Wynters. All they did was force you to marry a gorgeous lady. Why did you refuse it? Matthew, I never knew you were such a loyal man.”
Matthew ignored his tease.
Actually, it wasn’t about them forcing him to marry Shermaine. The conflicts had accumulated over time, causing him to burst out at the right timing.
“You’re still planning to drag them down. If the Wynters find out, they’re going to skin you alive. You might not be afraid, but don’t forget she’s your weakness.”
Matthew arched a brow. “Mr. Shaw, is that concern I hear?”
“Scram!”
The line was cut abruptly. Matthew placed his phone aside and looked up where Clarissa was. She’s so nonchalant, huh?
Matthew didn’t remain there for long. Soon, his car sped away.
The moment Matthew’s car left her building, Clarissa hurriedly put on some makeup for a fun night out.
She had just invited Damon and Ellie to a bar tonight to relax and also inspire her writing.
Oh, and also to drink her sorrows away.
She met up with Ellie and had dinner before heading to a popular bar.
Stepping in, they immediately heard the deafening volume of the music and noisy crowd. The neon lights shone on the writhing mass on the dance floor, pulsing in sequence to a heavy bass beat.
Clarissa took a seat. When the others were busy chatting or searching for a target, she had already downed a lot of drinks.
