Fear of retribution?
Clarissa couldn’t help but snort within herself.
It’s never Jacque and Sandra who should fear retribution. Instead, it’s the Smallwoods couple who treat their biological daughter like an enemy who should fear retribution.
Kayla wailed in such an entitled manner as though the world owed her something. The people who didn’t know what happened might be wondering how mistreated she was.
James only stood at the side, holding his wife and comforting her softly. Nevertheless, neither did he reprove anything his wife expressed.
His attitude was as good as acknowledging his wife’s stance.
Setting the grudge between Clarissa and Shermaine aside, even the behaviors of that couple alone vexed Clarissa, and she disliked such parents utterly.
Pressuring her own brother and sister-in-law in public in such an aggressive way, and not to mention twisting the facts, this woman is no different from some blatant blackmailers.
Clarissa thought to herself that the Wynters must have helped the Smallwoods couple a lot in the past. But these two people never seem to remember the kindness others have shown them. They just take it for granted; they’re just two ingrates.
Needless to say, Clarissa could feel the wrath of Sandra who was standing beside her. She’s even trembling. God knows how mad she must be.
“Jacque, how can you…”
Kayla was still whining, and Jacque couldn’t bear to be rough on his sister, but Sandra could no longer stand it.
“Shut up, the two of you. James, aren’t you aware of how much help and support Jacque has extended to you in the past? And now you’re wailing here, chiding us for not fearing retribution, hahaha… Well, let retribution come to us then, and we won’t help you anymore. Supposedly, your daughter has committed an offense and has been sent to jail, and that’s the outcome of an impartial judiciary. Nonetheless, you’re insistently claiming that she has been wronged. Why don’t you prove her innocence with evidence then? What’s the use of you groaning here? Do you think your whimpering will help to clear her name? Or do you think Jacque will risk his reputation and do the dirty work for you just because of that? Kayla, you can’t be such an ingrate. You may not remember how your brother has sacrificed for you, and you may not feel sorry for him, but I do. I treasure my husband, and I feel sorry that he has done so much for you just to be treated in such a way in return. Jacque, let her whine all she wants. Let’s go.”
Stunned by Sandra’s cry, Kayla stopped weeping and looked at Sandra walking over to yank Jacque away. Only after the few of them left the corridor that James said to his wife, “Alright, let’s go in now. Mr. Baker is still waiting for us.”
Only then did Kayla remember that they still needed to ask for a favor from Mr. Baker.
They turned around, just to find that Mr. Baker didn’t seem pleased.
James explained hurriedly, “Mr. Baker, I’m sorry you had to witness that. My wife was very concerned about our daughter, and she has always been rather emotional all these years, not to mention we’ve met someone who has a beef with us, hence…”
“Has a beef? Is Mr. Matthew Tyson the person whom you have a history with?”
As soon as James noticed Mr. Baker’s tone, he became very heedful. Instead of referring to it as ‘having a beef’, he described how Matthew’s wife, Clarissa had stolen his daughter’s man and explained the matter in an ambiguous manner…
A grudge that arose because of romantic interests always seemed better than that which happened as a result of his daughter’s intention of killing.
It was unknown whether Mr. Baker believe his words or not, but they entered a private room together.
On the other hand, Clarissa and others also entered their private room. Sandra had started treating Clarissa as a family member, hence, she didn’t hold herself back at all and began criticizing Kayla.
“Shameless. Jacque, that’s your favorite little sister, who’s terribly presumptuous. If I had known then that your sister is such a shameless person, I wouldn’t have got married to you at all.” Listening to that, Clarissa’s lips twitched a little, and she started, “Sandra, calm down.”
In response, Jacque smiled helplessly. “Well, let’s not talk about that. Come on, let’s dig in. Don’t let them ruin our appetite.”
“It’s already ruined.”
Sandra turned to Clarissa and uttered, “You’ve seen that yourself, and I don’t mind if you would mock at me, but that’s exactly why I despise them. To be frank, I don’t even wish that Clarissa would go back to such parents. They’re way over the line.”
Clarissa kept quiet. She wasn’t really in a position to comment on that.
Even though she didn’t like the Smallwoods couple either, and she could talk to Matthew about it, she couldn’t really make a remark about them in front of others.
Jacque also turned to Matthew with a regretful look in his eyes. “I’m sorry you had to see that. I didn’t expect such a thing to happen. We’re really sorry to have disappointed you, Clarissa.”
Clarissa smiled awkwardly at that. I’m not disappointed. I don’t hold out hope or have any expectations, to begin with.
After the dinner, they didn’t run into the Smallwoods couple anymore when they left. It wasn’t until they got in the car that Clarissa finally turned to Matthew helplessly, and after exchanging looks with one another, she let out a long breath of a sigh.
Matthew held her into his embrace, while his hand brushed through her hair softly as he leaned down to plant a kiss on her forehead.
“Why are you sighing? They aren’t important anyway. You’d be really silly if you let them get to you.”
Clarissa couldn’t help but pout and lifted her head. “But I’ve let them get to me indeed! So, does that mean I’m silly?”
Matthew curled his lips into a broad curve. “Of course not, my precious Clare is the brightest, but human emotions will somewhat be influenced by the circumstances or people around them. Thus, that’s inevitable. If a person can really maintain her composure without getting influenced by anyone, she’s as good as bereft of feelings.”
Clarissa stared at Matthew and burst out into laughter all of a sudden.
“Well, you said everything; can you make up your mind? President Tyson, with such a faltering temperament, how can you manage your company well?”
Matthew laughed in response. “I have different programs in my brain for managing the company and cheering up my wife.”
Clarissa pursed her lips as she returned, “You actually have two different programs in your brain? Are you a monster? Or a robot?”
She even held Matthew’s head and observed it carefully, as if she was really interested to find out what was in his brain.
And Matthew let her be, as long as she was happy with it.
However, that didn’t really distract her from her emotions. Clarissa fell silent and leaned against Matthew’s chest. She held his fingers and fiddled with them unwittingly.
“Frankly, I feel that this matter won’t be concealed for long.”
Matthew acknowledged that briefly.
“Tell me, if they discover that I’m actually their biological daughter, will they feel remorse for treating me so badly in the past? Will they ever be repentant within themselves, and will they apologize to me?”
“They will.”
Nevertheless, Clarissa paused for a moment before she added, “I don’t think they’ll apologize to me. They’ll only feel embarrassed or awkward at most. If I were them, I would be awkward too.”
That was what Clarissa thought. Perhaps the Smallwoods couple won’t be able to accept me so soon. It’ll also feel uneasy and unreal for me if they treat me like how they treated Shermaine.
Hence, she didn’t expect the Smallwoods couple to treat her well or to acknowledge her.
Even if they did find out about it, it was sufficient for Clarissa even if they just stopped holding grudges against each other and maintained a peaceful relationship on the veneer.
Yet, Clarissa clearly had no idea at that moment that she had still underestimated the complexity and depravity of human nature.
…
James and Kayla spared their time to visit their daughter again.
Shermaine always assured them that she was fine in the lockup and that they shouldn’t worry. And each time, Kayla ended up shedding more tears than she did last time.
In her opinion, the more Shermaine tried to convince them of that and endured the hardship in prison, the more certain she was that Shemaine was only trying to soothe their minds.
“Shermaine, my daughter, you’ve suffered much, but don’t worry. Come year-end, your dad and I will find ways to get you released from here to celebrate the festive season with us. We’ve arranged it, and you may come home temporarily. Just wait a little longer, and it’ll be fine soon.”
In that instance, Shermaine tightened her grip on the receiver, but it was unnoticeable. She smiled and said, “That would be great. I’m sorry that I couldn’t be by your side these two years. If I can celebrate the season with you, even if just for a day, it would be really great.”
“Sob… sob… You will. You surely will be able to do that this year. My precious daughter, why is life so unfair to you? You’re suffering in this place, and the person who set you up is still at large, getting all lovey-dovey with that heartless man. Everybody knows how loving they are to one another, but little do they know that these are two wicked people who sent my daughter to suffer in here. Also, your Uncle Jacque and Aunt Sandra even—”
“Kay, stop that,” James cut his wife off.
Then, he turned to his daughter and said, “Shermaine, don’t be worried inside there. They’ll let you out for the holiday season. Rest assured, once you’re out, we’ll seek ways so you won’t have to go back in again. Bear with us, we’re both looking for connections to help you… As with those people, so many years have passed…”
“Sure, Dad and Mom. I understand. Don’t worry. It has been so many years; there’s nothing that I can’t let go of anymore.”
James was relieved at that. “Don’t listen to your mom. It’s good that you’re able to think this way. With our conditions, you’re still blessed with a bright future even after coming out of here, so don’t worry. All these years, your mom and I have fought hard for you. Everything we own is still yours after you’re released. Rest assured.”
Shermaine smiled and nodded. Her countenance was so relieved as though she had come to terms with everything that happened in the past.
Their visiting time was up, and Shermaine left with the prison officer. Sitting back on her bed in the cell, she clenched her fist so tightly that her nails dug into her palm, and blood started gushing out her palms after a while.
At that moment, someone else came in, and Shermaine maintained her smile and nodded, as though nothing had happened.
“Hey, Shermaine, we’re freeloading again. Did your wealthy parents bring delicious food again?”
They knew that their cell was a little different from the rest, and they were all aware that Shermaine was not only well-taken care of, but also had a backer. She might even get released sooner.
All her inmates of the same cell had turned from bullying her to being friendly to her, and such a change was a result of Shermaine’s thoughtful efforts.
Shermaine smiled. “Don’t mention it. We’re all friends.”
Then, she stood up and wiped her hand calmly. One of the inmates looked at her, and just as she was about to say something to Shermaine, she was stopped by another person. They exchanged looks and fell silent. Everyone returned to doing their own things, and no one dared to ask Shermaine about it.
