Meanwhile, Clarissa figured that Shermaine must have gone into hiding and wouldn’t be able to hatch any plots at the moment.
In truth, Clarissa felt they had not done enough as Shermaine’s punishment did not commensurate with how much harm she had done to others. She thought of Mandy’s attack while Xander was still lying in hospital. As long as she could get her hands on some evidence, she would definitely want to put Shermaine in prison.
However, she had nothing incriminating now but it was just a matter of time before she found any.
As she was in a good mood recently, Clarissa decided to have an island wedding. The tropical weather there meant that it would always feel like spring. Hence, with great scenery and weather, she needn’t have to worry about feeling cold in her wedding gown.
However, when she suggested it to Matthew, he threw a contract in front of her.
Having read through it, Clarissa gaped in shock.
“You… bought an island for… me?”
Matthew raised his brow in a charming manner and smiled. Inexplicably, he had the same expression Jeremy used when he flirted.
Clarissa’s surprise quickly turned into laughter. She remarked, “Why are you giving me that look? Did Jeremy teach you that?”
Matthew snorted softly with letting out a half-smile.
“Do I even need to be taught by him?”
In truth, it was Jeremy’s idea for Matthew to buy an island for Clarissa as a present.
Lifting her chin, Matthew asked, “Do you like it?”
Clarissa nodded slightly before nodding again with greater conviction.
I can’t believe it!
It’s such a romantic gesture.
To become an owner of an island was something out of a fantasy.
However, she quickly regained her senses and shook her head. Having thought of something, her expression became conflicted.
“Don’t you like it?”
“No, it’s just too expensive. This…”
Matthew smiled in adoration. “Clare, all that matters is that you like it. So, don’t think about anything else. Besides, I bought this island a long time ago and have no use for it. Now that I can give it to you as a present and make you happy, that alone makes it all worthwhile. What you need to do now is to accept it happily and give me a kiss to express your gratitude.”
Given the look in his eyes, Clarissa simply couldn’t refuse.
As their gazes locked, she suddenly snorted in laughter. Putting her hands around Matthew’s neck and leaning in, she kissed him on the lips.
“Hmm, dearest Uncle Matthew, I really love the present you have given me.”
Matthew smiled as he tousled her hair. After that, he took out another picture which showed the villa on the island and its facilities.
“When I first bought the island, I ordered a house to be built and the surrounding landscape to be planted with trees and flowers. There’s also a basketball court…”
When Clarissa looked at the pictures, she felt as if she was looking at paradise itself.
Laughing sheepishly, she remarked, “It feels like I’m the queen of the island.”
Matthew leaned in, brushed her ear with his lips, and whispered, “My queen, our island, I wonder…”
The moment Clarissa heard his words, she instantly knew his mind was filled with dirty thoughts.
She quickly interrupted him with a playful peck.
“You pervert…”
Instead of feeling embarrassed, Matthew was actually proud of himself. Hugging Clarissa, he continued his “perverted” advances.
Nevertheless, they quickly got their wedding date nailed down.
Since it was going to be an island wedding, they appointed a wedding planner to make the arrangements. The earliest date they gave was spring next year.
Clarissa figured that a backdrop of blooming spring flowers would be a beautiful sight.
Any earlier date would be too much of a rush.
Hence, they decided for it to be spring.
Until then, Clarissa could continue to “hibernate” through the uneventful winter.
…
Recently, Hilary paid close attention to Shermaine’s controversy. Watching how Shermaine was attacked broke her heart, to the extent that she could hardly sleep and eat. She would look gloomy all day worried about Shermaine.
Even Zach noticed her strange reaction. When he checked with her out of concern, she refused to talk about it.
Later on, he found out that she was feeling unsettled because of Shermaine’s case. Feeling amused, he assumed that she was just worried for her idol and didn’t think too much of it.
However, Hilary’s concern didn’t just remain a concern.
Racking her brains, she finally thought of Clarissa and gave her a call.
The moment the call connected, she announced her objective right away.
“Clary, how did Shermaine end up like that? Can you help her by getting Mr. Tyson to do something?”
Hilary was unaware that her words would hurt Clarissa to a great extent.
“Mom, why do you care about Shermaine? Is it because she’s your idol?”
Clarissa tried her best to suppress her displeasure. What she didn’t understand was why Hilary was so concerned about Shermaine. There was definitely something more to it than just being her fan.
The care and concern she showed Shermaine was similar to that of her own daughter.
Unfortunately, her own daughter was treated lesser than that of an actress.
In the face of Clarissa’s question, Hilary simply sidestepped it.
All she did was counter Clarissa in a frustrated tone, “Why can’t I just like her? Clarissa, you’re my daughter. Is it too much to ask for your help on this? You refused to help me look for Shermaine the last time. And now, can’t I help her because I sympathize with her for being slandered? Now that you have ingratiated yourself with Mr. Tyson, one word from him will put the matter to rest. Clary, I’m your mom for goodness sake. Hence, you have to do this for me.”
By the time she finished, her tone sounded as if she was ordering Clarissa to do her bidding.
After a brief silence, Clarissa suddenly sneered.
“You don’t even know the truth behind the allegations against Shermaine and yet you’re ordering me to do this? Putting aside whether I or Matthew are even willing to help you, don’t you know all those accusations online are true given how closely you follow her? Also, why don’t you take a close look at what she has done? Do you realize that Matthew is the fiancé that she has slandered with her rumors? After what she has done, do you think it’s possible that Matthew help her?”
“Wh…what?”
Hilary read about what Shermaine did but choose not to believe it. Furthermore, she didn’t expect the man to be Matthew.
However, Hilary remained defiant. “But… since he is her fiancé, shouldn’t he help her?”
Speechless, Clarissa took a deep breath as she was on the verge of swearing at Hilary.
Gritting her teeth, Clarissa ranted, “Shermaine falsely claimed that he was her fiancé. Given how she maligned Matthew online, do you think that Matthew will forgive her? Mom, I’m not sure if you’re really being naive or feigning it. Not only are you forcing me to be the bad guy, but also intend to destroy my relationship with Matthew for Shermaine’s sake. Am I your daughter or is she? Since you care so much for her, you might as well make her your daughter.”
With that, Clarissa ended the call.
Hilary was still in shock as she held onto the phone, and it took her a long while to regain her senses.
Only then, did she mumble to herself something about mother and daughter.
Despite what Clarissa said, Hilary couldn’t allow Shermaine to continue suffering.
She contacted a few of her friends to see if they could help her arrange a meeting with Shermaine. Since Clarissa was of no help at all, she had to use her own network.
Finally, she found out that one of her friends at the beauty salon knew Kayla. However, she wanted to meet Shermaine and not Kayla. Hence, with the help of her friend, Hilary and Shermaine met at a secret location.
Hilary wanted it to be discreet as she had skeletons in her closet.
Shermaine share her sentiments on top of the fact that her reputation was in tatters.
The moment she saw Hilary, Shermaine could roughly guess what it was about.
However, she remained calm as she observed Hilary’s nervous expression, causing her to scoff in her heart.
“Mrs. Garrett, I hear you wanted to meet with me and that you’re my fan? I didn’t expect to still have a fan like you given the current circumstances.”
Shermaine acted as if Hilary was a stranger.
She didn’t know who Hilary was or why she wanted to see her.
Hilary was extremely nervous as she looked at Shermaine longingly, with tears welling up in her eyes. However, she struggled hard to hide her true emotions from Shermaine so as to not appear awkward.
However, she was already acting strange enough but somehow Shermaine didn’t seem to notice.
“Mrs. Garrett?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m just so nervous geeking over you since this is the first time we have met. I’m just embarrassing myself.”
Hilary looked away to wipe off her tears before returning her attention to Shermaine with a gentle smile.
“Ms. Smallwood, I like you a lot, and I know you have been going through a hard time. However, I will definitely support you as I don’t believe in the accusations against you. I know it’s all a plot to ruin you.”
“Thank you Mrs. Garrett. Your faith means a lot to me.”
Shermaine smiled wryly as she lowered her head to have a sip of water. However, she was visibly filled with disappointment and sorrow.
Hilary felt her heart sting when she saw it and was overwhelmed by the urge to hug Shermaine and comfort her.
However, she knew she couldn’t do that.
After a brief moment of silence, Shermaine smiled and changed the subject.
“Let’s not talk about my troubles. Why don’t we chat about something else instead? Mrs. Garrett, I have not left home a long time nor talk to anyone. Hence, I’m happy that you’re still a fan. I recall that I have seen you somewhere before.”
“You’re right. You did. But, Ms. Smallwood, you must have forgotten.”
“Don’t call me Ms. Smallwood. Just Shermaine will do. Mrs. Garrett, you’re really pretty…”
“No, Shermaine. You’re the pretty one.”
“Haha… thank you. In that case, it appears that both of us are pretty ladies. Taking a closer look, it does seem I resemble you a little.”
