Clarissa let out a sigh; she knew she couldn’t bring herself to send Mimi to jail.
Her anger soon dissipated, and she felt much better when Matthew comforted her with his kisses.
In the end, she made up her mind to cut ties with Mimi. It would be best if she could get back the money she lent to Mimi. However, if Mimi refused to pay her debt, she would take it as her spending money on a valuable lesson.
On the other hand, Mimi was finally bailed out of custody. Luckily, she didn’t take drugs. Or else, even the best lawyer couldn’t get her out of the lock-up.
As for the others in the party, they were not as lucky as her.
Instead of reflecting on herself, her mind was occupied by the thought that the man, whom they once thought was a kept man, was actually rich.
That night, she called her parents as soon as she was back at the hotel. After making a whole lot of complaints about Clarissa, she told them Matthew being a rich guy.
Both Gloria and Jacob were shocked and surprised by the news.
“Mimi, since that kept man, I mean, Mr. Tyson is rich, then why are you still staying in the hotel? You should go and live with Clarissa. Ask her to get that man to rent a better place for you, or even buy you a new house. I heard those from D City are all wealthy. This man must come from a prominent family since he could afford to hire a chauffeur. I believe you can find a sugar daddy when even Clarissa could find herself one. Let Mr. Tyson introduce a rich man to you. Oh, Mimi, there’s no need for you to go to school or become a celebrity. You can live a good life if you get to marry into a prominent family.”
“Mom, you’re right! But the problem is, I don’t even know where Clarissa lives, and she is wary of me. Besides, we all know she won’t help me.”
“We are her only family, and you’re her cousin. She will need to do you this favor if she still regards us as her family. Don’t worry. I’ll ask your grandma about her address. If she refuses to tell us, I will send her to D City. We can then find out about Clarissa’s address when she takes her grandma in.”
“Will my grandma listen to you?” asked Mimi.
Gloria knew Catherine had always disliked her, yet she would do whatever it took for her daughter.
“She has no choice but to listen to me. Perhaps you can try and find Clarissa first. If you can’t find her, then only will I ask your grandma about her address.”
“Alright then.”
After hanging up, Mimi recalled the time when she met Matthew in the past. Oh, how could I mistake such a handsome and distinguished man as a kept man? Ugh! It’s all Clarissa’s fault!
Her heart fluttered when she recalled his overbearing aura when his subordinates and the police treated him with respect. Oh, he’s just so handsome! Every aspect of him resembles the domineering president in a romance novel. It’s a pity that this man belongs to Clarissa.
Feeling displeased, she gave Clarissa a call. This time, the call didn’t even get through. Ugh! She must have blocked my number! Hmph! I must find out where she lives!
Then, she once again called her parents.
…
After a good night’s sleep, Clarissa woke up feeling calm and refreshed.
She went downstairs and found Matthew speaking over the phone. Her heart dropped at the sight of the gloomy expression on the man’s face.
As soon as Matthew noticed her, he hastily gave an order, “Okay. Settle it immediately.” After hanging up, he feigned a smile as he pulled her in his arms, pecking her on the lips. “You’re awake? Why did you wake up so early today?”
Clarissa looked quizzically at the man. “Has something happened?”
“It’s no biggie.”
With a serious look on her face, Clarissa fixed her eyes on him. ”That means something has really happened, huh?”
Since it was unlikely that he could hide the news from her anyway, he told her, “Today, someone exposed the news of the celebrities taking drugs yesterday.
“This has nothing to do with us, but the news indirectly hinted that you were involved in the drug-fueled party, attracting many doubts and criticisms from the public. I’ve asked Donnie to settle it, so don’t you worry about it.”
Clarissa furrowed her brows at his words. She was once a victim of cyber-bullying, and she knew how horrible it could be.
She fished out her phone and clicked on Twitter. As expected, the home page was flooded with comments.
Her account was bombarded with countless tweets: Apart from the celebrities and models, the screenwriter, @clarissa.quigley, was also present at the drug-fueled party. She was bailed out because she has a strong background.
Anyhow, some believed in it while some didn’t. Before this, she had gained in popularity as a screenwriter who worked with Director Yates. Now, someone was trying to drag her down by falsely accusing her of getting away from the law.
Regardless of the truth, the news had created a bad impression about her. It had misled the public into thinking that she must have something to do with drugs.
The public would not tolerate anyone in the entertainment industry who was involved in a drug scandal. With a tainted reputation, it would be the end of her career!
Clarissa’s face turned pale in an instant. Unlike the previous sex scandal in which she was accused of sleeping her way into fame, this time, someone was trying to ruin her with a drug scandal.
Matthew’s heart ached to see Clarissa’s face turn ashen.
He quickly took away her phone and consoled her, kissing her on the forehead.
“Don’t worry, Clare. Donnie will take care of it. The police authority will also make a clarification. No one can throw mud at you when you’re innocent.”
Clarissa felt better with his reassurance knowing that she was not facing this alone.
Now, she could count on the man she loved.
She felt a sense of relief in his arms while surrounded by his familiar scent. “Someone is targeting me, right?” she asked with a hint of certainty, for it didn’t take a genius to guess that.
“Don’t worry. I will find out the mastermind behind all this.”
Clarissa made a bold guess. ”Perhaps it’s the same person behind the car accident and the assault on Mandy.”
The mastermind behind all the above-mentioned crimes displayed cruel and fiendish tactics.
Clarissa was his target. Not only that he wanted her dead, he was also determined to destroy everything she had.
That person was lurking in the shadows, ready to drag her down, like how he seized the opportunity of her meeting with Mimi to drag her into the drug scandal. That person has always been watching me!
Clarissa shivered at the thought. She had the feeling that she was living under supervision as if there was an invisible eye watching over her.
“Clare, it’s okay. Don’t be afraid.” Matthew noticed her fearful expression, so he tightened his arms around her and made her sit on his thighs. Then, he caressed her face, kissing her softly. “Clare, I won’t let anyone harm you.”
“But that person is hiding in the shadows. We can’t find him.”
“Those who commit a crime will eventually leave traces behind. Clare, there is no need to be afraid. I will protect you.”
His words warmed Clarissa’s heart and provided her with a sense of security.
Clarissa was touched. She cupped Matthew’s face and showered him with passionate kisses. “Uncle Matthew, you’re the best. I love you so much!”
Matthew’s eyes darkened as he mashed his lips against her. The young lady’s watery eyes and soft lips almost drove him crazy.
In the end, he managed to restrain himself. Letting out a sigh, he buried his face against her neck.
“Clare…” The hint of lust and desire in his voice was familiar to her.
Since the two started getting intimate, Clarissa became familiar with every one of his expressions. From his gaze and his tone, she could tell what he wanted.
From the way he murmured her name, she could feel his desire for her.
Her face flushed when she noticed that Matthew was turned on. It’s still early in the morning, and we shouldn’t…
She ran her fingers through his hair, ruffling it affectionately as she said, “It’s time for you to go to work.”
Matthew simply uttered a response, unwilling to let go of her. “Are you going with me?”
“No.” She shouldn’t go to his office every day or she would disturb him when he was working.
Matthew was rather disappointed, yet he didn’t insist. Even though he wanted to spend every minute with her, it was not realistic.
After Matthew left the house, Clarissa had her breakfast and was now sitting by the French window with a laptop on her lap. She was trying to figure out the person who wanted her dead so badly.
She had a few people in mind, including Yvonne.
Yvonne was indeed a cruel one, yet Clarissa was rather doubtful if that woman had the intelligence to scheme against her.
That afternoon, Clarissa received a video call from Catherine as usual.
The latter asked her about her relationship with Matthew and brought up the topic of marriage, “Haven’t the two of you discussed it? It’s better to decide as soon as possible. As I told you last time, you should meet with Matthew’s family. Matthew is not young anymore, and I believe his family would want to see him settle down and build his own family. He is a nice guy, but don’t take it for granted, okay?”
Yet, Clarissa wasn’t as optimistic as Catherine when she thought of the Tysons.
Unwilling to worry her grandma, she said, “Fine. I will talk to Matthew about it.”
Clarissa finally made up her mind. Since there was no use in evading the issue, she might as well deal with it.
