Both Yuliana and Margaret were delighted to hear that Matthew and Sienna were doing well.
Margaret had promised George not to interfere in Matthew’s marriage. She was reluctant at first, but she decided to let things flow naturally for now. After all, her son was getting along with Sienna.
After that, she’d feel guilty whenever Shermaine called her.
Her guilt was clear to all.
Shermaine was currently shooting in another city. She planned to stay away from D City so the Tysons would forget about the previous incident gradually. The reason she kept calling Margaret was to persuade the old lady to accept her again.
After all, Margaret loved her dearly. The old lady was also easy to persuade. Since young, no matter what she told Margaret, the latter would accept it readily.
Right now, Shermaine sensed the old lady’s oddity as they talked on the phone. Instead of pressing the matter, she hung up and went to her mother.
Through her mother’s cries and complaints about how cruel the Tysons were, she found out Matthew had started dating Sienna Grande.
“Shermaine, I heard it from my friend. She brought her daughter to the Tyson residence to introduce her to Matthew, but the Tysons took a liking to Sienna Grande. Recently, Old Mrs. Tyson told others that Matthew and Sienna are dating.” She wailed. “Shermaine, did you do something wrong? Why must you suffer this way? Why must you struggle in love? Shermaine, it’s our fault. If we’re capable enough to make Matthew marry you, they wouldn’t have treated you lightly. The Tysons look down on us and the Wynters. Ah, they will betray your uncle soon. No, I need to remind your grandmother and Jacque…”
The more Kayla thought about it, the more uneasy she felt. She couldn’t stop wailing, so Shermaine burst out impatiently, “Mom, stop it. Aunt Sandra already hates us. Grandma and Uncle Jacque don’t mind, but Aunt Sandra was terribly upset after what happened back then.”
At the mention of Sandra Meynell, Kayla grumbled unhappily. “Why would that woman be upset? We’re part of the Wynter family, too. She’s just Jacque’s wife. There’s no way she’ll take control of the Wynter family.”
“Even if she wants to take control of the Wynter family, so what? You’re already married and haven’t been home for years. Forget it. Don’t interfere in this, get it? You’re doing me a favor by staying out of this.”
Kayla was about to say something, but Shermaine cut the line without hesitation.
Sienna Grande? I’ve heard of her.
My family isn’t as influential as hers. Besides, I’ve done something to harm Matthew earlier.
A strong sense of danger dawned on Shermaine. Sienna is way better than me. If the Tysons accepted her, does that mean Matthew will accept her, too?
“Shermaine, we’ll begin filming soon. Won’t you get prepared?”
The assistant director came to urge her to get ready as everyone was waiting for her.
Shermaine was still distracted. She shot the assistant director an annoyed glance. Irritated by her reaction, the latter furrowed his brows.
“I have something urgent going on. Can’t you wait for me?”
She turned and made a call to her friend in D City to ask for the friend’s help to keep watch on Matthew.
As the weather was getting colder, Clarissa didn’t even want to crawl out of bed in the morning. She burrowed herself under the covers while someone gave her warmth from behind.
Of course, it would be perfect if the man wasn’t aroused with his hard bulge pressing insistently between her legs.
Clarissa was rudely awakened by his kisses trailing down her nape. Disgruntled, she gave him a shove, but the man merely chuckled lowly and nibbled on her earlobe gently.
Pressing into her intimately, he rasped, “Clare, won’t you wake up?”
“Uh-huh,” mumbled Clarissa. “I don’t have to work. Why would I have to wake up this early?’
“Mm, you don’t. But I remember telling you to work out with me.”
“No!”
Clarissa implored and continued lazing in bed. Suddenly, Matthew reached down and gave her a tickle. As she screamed softly, he covered her mouth in a dizzying kiss and started their morning workout.
There were plenty of workouts one could do in the morning.
After a long workout session, Clarissa lay limp on the bed and glared at Matthew.
“Ha! Clare, I prefer this workout. It’s better than running.”
Clarissa couldn’t bother to refute his nonsense and continued glowering at him, her eyes burning with rage.
She snorted and shut her eyes in annoyance. Matthew smiled lovingly and ran his hand across her body, obviously unsatiated.
“Hey, stop touching me. There’s nothing for you to touch!” Clarissa grumbled impatiently.
Matthew let out a light chuckle. “Clare, you like touching my muscles too, right?”
Huh? Who?
Not me.
She buried her face in her pillow and avoided answering his question.
Her reaction amused him greatly. Beaming, he kissed her smooth back and stood up reluctantly.
No wonder the ancient monarchs would miss their morning courts. I know how they feel now.
After taking a shower, Matthew exited the bathroom to a sight of a sleeping Clarissa. She was lying on her belly, her lips parted. Saliva was dripping out of her parted mouth.
Matthew found that adorable. He stood there, unwilling to leave.
Alas, he had to go to work. After helping the young lady to turn so she could sleep on her back, she frowned and pulled the covers up before snoring gently.
Matthew chuckled and shook his head. His gaze was full of adoration.
When Clarissa finally woke up, the sky was cloudy. The room was heated, but the gloomy weather caused her to feel a chill from within.
She wrapped a shawl around her and sipped on the hot tea Julia had prepared for her while lounging on the sofa.
She only returned to her senses when Hilary gave her a call.
“Clary, don’t forget Yvonne’s engagement party’s happening this weekend.”
Clarissa had forgotten all about it.
“Okay.”
“Have you prepared a gift?”
“No.”
“You can’t come with empty hands. Remember to prepare an engagement gift and cash gift.”
“Cash gift? She’s getting engaged, not getting married. I’ll have to prepare another cash gift when she gets married later.”
“Well, that’s how things work. You can get engaged before getting married next time. That way, you can receive all the gifts you want. For Yvonne’s cash gift, don’t be stingy. People will talk if you give too little money.”
Clarissa sneered inwardly. When my primary school friend got married, I gave her a cash gift of eight hundred. Yvonne and I are at odds. I’m already being generous by giving her two thousand.
Even if I give her more, she won’t care at all.
Two thousand will do.
But of course, Clarissa wasn’t about to reveal her intentions to Hilary.
For her engagement gift, a pair of dolls will do.
When Clarissa mentioned it to Ellie, the latter smirked. “Ha! That’s petty. You did the right thing. Methinks two thousand is a lot. Six hundred and sixty-six will do.”
Clarissa giggled uncontrollably. Her friend was much ruder than her.
Indeed, Clarissa prepared a cash gift of six hundred and sixty-six for the party this weekend. When she was preparing it, she couldn’t stop herself from cackling smugly.
Matthew watched her antics and shook his head with a smile.
To him, giving a cash gift of six hundred was beyond comprehension.
If she wants to annoy them, just don’t prepare any gifts. Anything’s better than six hundred and sixty-six.
“Clare, if you want to annoy your stepsister, why don’t you prepare a big cash gift? That will annoy her greatly. The lesser you prepare, the more she’ll look down on you.”
Clarissa scoffed and eyed him.
“You know nothing. Why would I give her money willingly? If you nag on, I’ll give her sixty instead.”
Matthew fell silent and gave up. Women are unreasonable and inconceivable.
After preparing the cash gift, the young lady changed into a gorgeous evening dress. Her face was perfectly made-up. At the sight of her, Matthew’s heart skipped a beat while his expression fell.
“Clare, you look like you’re getting engaged in this dress.”
Clarissa ignored his dark expression and grinned. “Do I look pretty?”
“Of course.”
“Good. I want to steal the spotlight from Yvonne! Ha!”
Matthew asked hesitantly, “It’s her engagement party. Is it a good idea to steal the limelight from her?”
“That’s what I want. I want to make her mad. Did you forget how she bullied me back then?”
“No. But I think there’s a better way to defeat her. For example, make the Garretts’ company go bankrupt!”
Clarissa shook her head. “You don’t get it. Our fight isn’t that serious. Even if you can make her family bankrupt, it won’t feel as satisfying as upsetting her at her engagement party today.”
Indeed, Matthew couldn’t understand her intentions.
Glancing at her attractive figure, a flash of helplessness appeared in his gaze.
He wrapped her arms around her and cajoled her with a kiss. “Be good, Clare. Change into another outfit, alright? It’s chilly out there. I’m afraid you might catch a cold.”
