In truth, Clarissa was more amused by the situation than Ellie was.
Her conscience was clear as she did nothing wrong. Regardless of whether it was at school or work, she had never made a mistake.
Just because she fell in love with Matthew, she had to be humiliated and ridiculed by her elders despite her innocence.
Where’s the justice in that?
Clarissa sneered, interrupting Margaret and catching everyone’s attention.
However, her expression remained calm as usual.
“Mrs. Tyson, I grew up in a small city where my father died while I was young and my mother remarried. Is it wrong to be born into such a family? I lived with my Grandma and we depended on each other for our livelihood. Although life was tough, there’s nothing wrong with it. Despite not being able to afford university, I managed to get a scholarship and study loan with my excellent grades. After I graduated, I quickly paid off my student debt. Is there any fault in that? I excelled in my job too. Despite not being filthy rich, I can still afford to buy my own house and car while taking care of my grandma. Is there anything wrong with that?”
Her explanation was calm and undemanding.
However, her clear conscience radiated out of her eyes and exposed the hypocrisy of others.
After a brief silence, Margaret replied, “I’m not saying it’s your fault, but given your background, you aren’t…”
“If there’s nothing wrong with being born into such an environment, why do you then have to ridicule and humiliate me? Must I be looked down upon by you just because I’m poor?”
“Clarissa Quigley, how can you speak so rudely?”
Shermaine couldn’t help but intervene but Clarissa shot her a cold piercing glare.
“I’m speaking to Mrs. Tyson now. What has it got to do with you?”
“You…”
Before Shermaine could react, Clarissa continued her tirade, “Perhaps, you might not see the point in what I said and find it preposterous. But, I just want to let you know that my conscience is clear and I am worthy of Matthew.”
“Well said!”
Ellie couldn’t help but clap causing Yuliana to glare at her.
However, she wasn’t bothered as she only cared about voicing her support for Clarissa.
“I have said my piece. If your intention is for me to leave Matthew, I can only say that there’s no reason for us to break up, unless Matthew himself decides to do so.”
With that, she turned around and walked out.
“Stop where you are…”
Margaret was persistent as she called out from behind. However, Clarissa had walked out of the Tyson residence.
Ellie quickly caught up with her as she didn’t intend to stay back with her family a second longer.
There was no point in doing so as they were just too stubborn. Ellie felt that Matthew was right not to tell them and it would be better if none of her family attended the wedding.
After getting into the car, the emotions that Clarissa held at bay earlier began to manifest. Her eyes reddened as she looked out the window, not saying a word.
Meanwhile, Ellie felt so awkward that she didn’t know what to say.
After all, those were her family, and nothing she said would come out right.
After a while, Clarissa managed to calm down and turned to Ellie. “Don’t tell Matthew about what happened today. He seems to be dealing with something major overseas, and I’m afraid it will only cause him to worry further. I’ll tell him myself when he returns.”
“Alright. I’m sorry, Clare.”
Ellie apologized as that was the only thing she could say.
Clarissa smiled. “What are you apologizing for? You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“I’m apologizing on behalf of my family.”
“There’s no need for that as you can’t speak for them anyway. Besides, there’s no way they would apologize to me either.”
Ellie understood what Clarissa meant and didn’t apologize any further.
After Ellie dropped Clarissa back at Zen Highlands, she drove back to the Tyson residence alone.
She was surprised to still see Shermaine there when she returned, causing her to feel disgusted and wary at the same time.
After all, Clarissa and her were suspicious of Shermaine as it wasn’t hard to imagine her plotting something vicious.
“What did you come back for? Didn’t you leave with her?” Margaret remarked with a hint of jealousy.
When Ellie wanted to retort, she noticed how Shermaine was fawning upon Margaret and suddenly realized that she should adapt her approach accordingly.
With that, she sat beside Margaret and held onto her arm. She changed her demeanor into one of childlike playfulness.
“Grandma, I wasn’t going to leave with her. This is my home. Even if I left, I’m still your granddaughter, aren’t I?”
Margaret’s angry expression ease a little as Ellie was still her granddaughter after all.
“You don’t seem to care about me anymore when you spoke out for Clarissa earlier. Aren’t you angry at her for deceiving you for such a long time?”
Briefly stunned, Ellie glanced at Shermaine and explained, “Grandma, my feelings are only to be shared with family. I don’t think it’s appropriate to wash dirty linen in public, isn’t it?”
Ellie aimed her words at Shermaine.
Despite that, Shermaine shamelessly refused to leave.
Ellie had no choice but to be more direct. “Shermaine, this matter only involves our family and has nothing to do with you. It’s time for you to leave.”
“How is Shermaine an outsider?”
“Grandma, don’t you think she is? Would a member of our family pull a stunt at Uncle Matt’s company and almost destroyed it?”
Margaret’s expression changed drastically while Shermaine made the same excuse as always.
However, Ellie sneered and didn’t say anything further. She knew that doing so would only cause her plan to backfire.
And that was how Margaret’s opinion slowly shifted in Ellie’s favor, causing her expression to darken.
Despite being angered, Shermaine had no choice but to take her leave.
When she finally did, Ellie let out a smug smile.
“Grandma, you are always taken in by Shermaine’s words because you’re too kind-hearted. I know you like her but you can’t ignore what she has done. Even if you don’t want Clare to be your daughter-in-law, you can’t possibly accept Shermaine, can you? Do you think Uncle Matt, Grandpa, and my dad will agree? Our relationship with the Wynters has also been strained. Grandma, you have to consider the big picture. I don’t think it’s appropriate for you to maintain your relationship with Shermaine anymore.”
Margaret was someone that was easily influenced.
After hearing Ellie’s words, she couldn’t help but be convinced by them.
“Hmm, you’re right. However, Shermaine has always been filial and visits me often, I…”
“Sigh, Grandma, at the end of the day, she isn’t family. Is her attitude toward you more important than Uncle Matt and the rest of the Tyson family’s safety?”
Margaret fell silent in response.
However, Ellie didn’t let up, “Grandma, there’s something important that you should know. Despite your plans to look for a wife on behalf of Uncle Matt, no girl will dare approach him given how close you are to Shermaine. Did you know that she has been going around accusing Uncle Matt of two-timing? You must not have heard of it as you hardly ever go out, but this has scared away a lot of the other girls.”
“Is that true?”
“Of course, she said it on the internet herself, causing everyone to ridicule Uncle Matt for being disloyal and unprincipled. She has even caused the Tyson Corporation’s reputation to be affected and its stock price to drop.
“That serious?”
Ellie knew the more she exaggerated the better. “Of course, why would I lie? My friends in the know are well aware that all the matchmaking dates Uncle Matt went on have failed, simply because they know of Shermaine. At this rate, how is he going to find a wife for himself?”
Furrowing her brows, Margaret fell deep into thought.
Ellie’s plan was to first remove Shermaine from the picture. After that, she could then slowly change Margaret’s impression of Clarissa.
She had to deal with the external threat first before pacifying the internal one.
“Grandma, if you don’t believe me, you can ask Grandpa about it. He will definitely object to one of the Wynters as Uncle Matt’s wife.”
When Margaret nodded in agreement, Ellie heaved a sigh of relief.
“Therefore, you have to steel your heart. When you are too kind, you will end up causing trouble to our family. Going forward, don’t take her calls and don’t see her anymore. Or else, Uncle Matt will never be able to get married. Do you think that’s acceptable to you?”
“Of course not.”
“That’s the spirit.”
Ellie finally managed to persuade Margaret into severing ties with Shermaine.
She was gratified to have been of help to Clare and Uncle Matt.
During dinner, Ellie brought up the matter again and as expected, the rest of the Tysons were not in favor of Shermaine.
Since everyone had voiced their objections. Margaret decided to not let herself be taken in by Shermaine’s words anymore.
Realizing she had achieved the result she desired, Ellie smiled smugly to herself.
Although Margaret didn’t understand the meaning behind her grin, it was obvious to everyone else what it was all about.
However, the reason they didn’t object was that Yuliana and the others were in favor of Sienna. Hence, disposing of Shermaine was in their common interest.
At that moment, Shermaine was oblivious to the fact that she had been ostracized by the Tysons.
After leaving the Tyson residence, she had the urge to tear Clarissa apart when she recalled Clarissa saying that she and Matthew would never break up.
I must do something to stop her now.
The thought of Clarissa seeing Matthew every day and imagining them having passionate moments together was enough to drive Shermaine to want to kill her.
However, after failing a few times, Clarissa had become more vigilant and also had a bodyguard watching over her. Therefore, killing her now was out of the question.
Consequently, Shermaine could only curse Clarissa in her heart.
That b*tch!
Back at Smallwood residence, there was no one at home except for her. Hence, her temper continued to flare until her phone suddenly rang.
“Who is it?”
Despite her feisty tone, she suddenly broke into a smile after hearing what the person over the line said.
