Clarissa refused to comply.
“Why am I subject to punishment? I cooked for you as a sign of gratitude for your help. I don’t work for you.”
At her remark, Matthew raised his eyebrows while his dark gaze glinted.
“Since you choose to cook, you have to do your best. Otherwise, if you come and go as you like, how can you truly repay me? If you don’t give your all, that means you don’t show genuine appreciation for my help, right?”
Clarissa twitched the corner of her lips. As if I wanna give my best.
Although that was her honest thoughts, she could not tell that straight to his face.
So she forced a smile and said, “Yeah, right. Everything you say is correct.”
“However, if you think this is too harsh for you, I can give you another option.”
“What is it?”
“Offer your body as payment.”
“No way!”
Clarissa had seen this coming as she knew Matthew had ulterior motives. Without hesitation, she rejected him decisively.
With a disappointed expression on his face, Matthew sighed, “What a pity.”
“I don’t think so!”
Clarissa continued in a determined tone, “Since it’s decided, I’ll take my leave now.”
Matthew smirked and stretched his long leg to stop her tracks.
“What else do you want?”
“Clare, stay over tonight.”
His deep voice and intense gaze as dark as the abyss caught her attention. One glance at him, and she was bewitched and immersed into it.
Clarissa bit her lips to get herself out of that temptation. She pressed her clenched fingers hard on her skin to pull herself together with the pain.
“I’m leaving now, Mr. Tyson.”
Clarissa walked past Matthew without falling for his trick and left that place frantically.
After staring at her disappearing silhouette, Matthew chuckled.
“Mrs. Lawson, get the driver to chauffeur to send Ms. Quigley home.”
“Yes, Mr. Tyson.”
After entering the car, Clarissa had mixed feelings in her. She did not know if she should feel disappointed or relieved.
What’s with his attitude? In one moment, he is being so unreasonable. Next, he becomes aloof. Does he suffer from a personality disorder?
Upon arrival, she waved goodbye at the chauffeur and went up. The first thing after she opened the door, she saw an unexpected guest, Hilary, in her apartment. After seeing her, the latter walked toward her from the window.
“Who’s the one that sends you back? Is it the one who drove that sports car the other day?”
Although the car that came just now was not extravagant, I could tell that it was not something an average wage earner could afford. This one was definitely comparable to that high-profile sports car the other day. I wonder if it is the same person?
I must put a beautiful daughter like her of better use. It’d be a waste of a great treasure I give her to that lecherous Patrick. A stunning beauty like her deserves a better man, maybe more than just one. We can use her to gain more benefits.
Clarissa furrowed her brows in displeasure. “I ordered an Uber through my cellphone. I don’t know that guy.”
With a smile on her face, Hilary took Clarissa’s handbag to hang it. “Don’t you lie to me! How could it be a cab? Are you pulling my leg? Don’t hide things from me. I’m just concerned about you.”
“He’s just trying to earn some side income while his boss isn’t around. Why won’t you stop dreaming of me having rich acquaintances? You just got discharged not long ago. Will you get some rest?”
Clarissa stopped Hilary’s probing and poured herself a glass of water and took a seat. “What business do you have here? Are you not going back?”
“Ah. I have something to tell you.”
Looking at Hilary’s unsettling manner, Clarissa knitted her brows together. “What’s the matter? Just shoot.”
“Well, the thing is, Zach’s company is facing some difficulties recently. If he can get hold of a project, the crisis will be overcome. But that project is not easy to get.”
“What does that have to do with me?”
“The other party offered to give Zach the project if you meet up with him.”
Noticing Clarissa’s enraged expression, Hilary added, “I didn’t know how that person knows you this time. I swear we’re innocent. Clary, are you acquainted with him? Did he make this offer because he knows your relationship with the Garretts?”
Clarissa cocked her eyebrows. “That’s impossible. I know very few people in D City.”
“Then, what do we do? If you don’t help us, we will have to file for bankruptcy. Clary, please. I beg you.”
Just as Clarissa was about to reject Hilary cruelly, an unknown number called her phone.
Right after she answered the call, Luke’s chuckle could be heard from the other end of the line. “Clare, it seems like we’re fated to meet. What are the odds of your stepfather’s company stumbling upon mine?”
At his straightforward remark, Clarissa finally got the whole picture of the situation.
After throwing Hilary a glance, she got up to head toward the balcony, then said in a cold tone, “Mr. Harrison, the Garretts have nothing to do with me. You don’t have to pull tricks like this, thinking it would make things difficult for me. Let me tell you—it doesn’t work on me.”
“Oh, is that so? Since you don’t even care about your biological mother, let’s forget about it. Besides, I won’t be the one becoming homeless. A meal doesn’t really measure up to a company’s bankruptcy. Well, that’s all for now. Goodnight, Clare.”
“Mr. Harrison.”
On the other end of the line, Luke flashed a sly smile for his victory because she compromised herself.
“What’s the location and time?”
“Seven in the evening tomorrow. I’ll pick you up.”
Clarissa immediately refuted, “Let’s make it eight in the evening. I have something going on at seven.”
“Sure thing. It’s settled then.”
Hilary’s eyes were glowing after Clarissa ended the call and walked out.
“You knew the person who sent me back that night was Luke, right? You knew him since the beginning, isn’t it?”
“I…”
Hilary stopped hiding her agenda. “I know him. But I’ve only seen him once. I did not recognize him back then. It was only after he made the offer to Zach that I remembered who he is.”
Clarissa leaned against the sofa with her eyes closed and said, “You may leave now. I’ve promised to have dinner with Luke tomorrow night. As for the project, it’s beyond my reach.”
“Yes, sure. As long as you accept the invitation. We’ll not pressure you. Thanks a lot, Clary. I’ll thank you on behalf of the Garretts.”
Clarissa remained silent all the way. Wasting no time, Hilary left the former’s apartment.
As soon as Hilary arrived at the Garretts, Zach knew went according to their plan because she was all smiles.
“Thanks, Hill. To think that you have to act pitiful.”
“It’s just a small matter. I can use any means necessary as long as she listens. Still, who would’ve thought that Luke would call her? I was so afraid he might spill the beans that it was us who gave the suggestion.”
“You don’t have to worry. Since Luke knows her and has feelings for her, he will know what the things are he shouldn’t say. Speaking of which, good thing that you recognized that it was he who sent her back that day. Otherwise, we could’ve missed this great opportunity. Hill, you’re really the best wife I could ever ask for!”
Zach hugged Hilary intimately and gave her a quick peck on her lips. As she was seeking more of his attention, Yvonne got out of the room while ignoring the two’s display of affection.
“Hmph! Mr. Harrison is a nice guy. Why should I give him up to Clarissa? Dad, I like him.”
Hilary remained silent while Zach noted, “I didn’t stop you from approaching Mr. Harrison. But as you know, he is not interested in you. Besides, he likes to have fun with women and play with their feelings. Do you want to be his victim?”
Yvonne refused to accept the truth. “Who knows if he’ll fall in love with me and marry me?”
“In your dreams. Mr. Harrison already has a fiancée, who hails from a prominent family with a strong political background. Can you compete with that? It’s fine to set your goals high. But you have to know your limits.”
Yvonne’s conceited heart was brimmed with jealousy. A while later, she played a gleeful smug on her face.
“Hmph! So what if she got the looks. At the end of the day, she’s just someone else’s plaything. Hilary, don’t come crying at us saying you want to settle the score if your daughter is discarded by Luke one day, okay?”
Hilary grinned. “Of course not. That is her destiny. No one is to be blamed.”
“Tsk! Tsk! Even a tiger wouldn’t kill its cub! Hilary, you’re really heartless! Nevertheless, I love it when you’re cruel to her. You two continue with what you were doing. I’m heading out.”
To leave the house late at night. Surely Yvonne was not planning to go to her usual join.
Zach nagged at her for a while, but she paid him no heed. After changing into a sexy and revealing outfit, she drove off the scene under the night sky.
The next morning at five, Clarissa woke up in a sleepy state. After washing up, she took a cab to Zen Highlands.
Around six in the morning, she arrived at the destination and ran into Matthew who was having his morning jog.
Clarissa was used to staying up late every night, so it was rare for her to be awake at this hour. Therefore, she dozed off in the car along the journey. She was lucky that the driver was not a pervert. Otherwise, she might end up being brought to some secluded wilderness.
After getting out of the car, she remained in the same position and yawned without opening her eyes. After that, she took a few tottering steps and bumped into a warm body.
When it happened, she was pulled into that person’s arms.
It was at that moment that Clarissa finally opened her eyes. The moment she saw it was Matthew before her eyes, she felt relieved and yawned several times.
“Let me go. I need to prepare breakfast for you.”
Her tone clearly implied her resentment for him.
Instead, Matthew’s dark gaze deepened.
“You came here in this state? Aren’t you afraid that the driver might sell you off somewhere or rape you?”
“Hmm? Well, probably not. I don’t think it’s possible.”
“Clarissa, nothing is impossible.”
Matthew’s reproach worsened Clarissa’s morning grumpiness and she finally snapped.
“What’s up with you? Does it have anything to do with you even if I was sold off or raped?”
Upon saying that, her exasperated glare met with his eyes for a few seconds.
Clarissa gave in after noticing Matthew’s icy stare.
Oh no! I’m screwed!
