Yuliana’s tone was unpleasant.
Thus, Matthias reminded in a solemn voice, “Not here. We can only say these things behind closed doors.”
“Alright.”
In truth, both of them had no say in Matthew’s marriage.
The Smallwoods suggested marriage between their daughter and Matthew only because of the friendship between both their families.
Unfortunately, Matthew showed no interest in Shermaine. If it was before, Yuliana would have helped them, but since Matthew had already announced his stand in front of so many people, she dropped the idea entirely, lest she incur his wrath.
After all, she was only his sister-in-law, and it wouldn’t bode well if she dictated his marriage.
However, the Smallwoods were persistent. Indeed, one reason was because Shermaine harbored strong feelings for Matthew, but another was because the Smallwoods themselves wanted to solidify their relationship with the Tysons.
If it were anyone else, an arranged marriage with Shermaine as the bride wouldn’t be much of an issue.
However, the person in question was Matthew, and no one had the right to speak for him other than himself.
The Smallwood couple arrived very soon. James Smallwood and Kayla Smith were close friends with Matthias and Yuliana for many years. Hence, it was common for them to meet up occasionally.
Unfortunately, after the incident regarding Shermaine, their friendship had become slightly strained.
To make matters worse, Kayla had a soft spot for her beloved daughter. Every time she talked about Shermaine, she would air her grievances on the latter’s behalf.
“Do you know how much my daughter likes Matthew? She cried the whole night after he broke her heart, and then she went for filming with swollen eyes the next day. Even though she didn’t say what Matthew did, I know how deeply she feels about him. He’s the only one who could’ve made her like this. Yuliana, isn’t Shermaine good enough for Matthew? Why is he treating her this way? Didn’t they get along just fine last time? Shermaine even thought that they’d get married soon, but things turned out this way. Has Matthew had a change of heart?”
Yuliana had been at the mercy of Kayla’s waterworks more times than she could count. Right now, she truly had enough of it.
“Kayla, we can only give a few pieces of advice to Matthew when it comes to his private life. In the end, he still has the final say. Let them settle it between themselves. Besides, Matthew also said before that he only sees Shermaine as a friend; he doesn’t have any other feelings for her.”
Yuliana knew it would be bad if Matthew was wrongfully accused of playing with their daughter’s feelings.
Kayla looked at them with disappointment and was about to say something when James cut her off.
“Yuliana is right. We shouldn’t interfere with their love lives. Besides, we’ve been friends for so many years now, so we shouldn’t let something like that come in between us!”
Matthias nodded in agreement. “Exactly. Even if we don’t become in-laws, it won’t affect our long-term friendship. Isn’t that right?”
James froze. What Matthias said had completely foiled their plans for inviting them here today.
…
Matthew had reserved a private lounge in advance, so since Clarissa had arrived first, she went in alone.
After scrolling through her phone for a while, he finally showed up.
The moment he came in, she lowered her voice into a whisper and asked, “Did you see your brother and sister-in-law outside?”
Matthew raised his brows in response.
Only then did Clarissa explain, “I met them at the entrance just now. It was such a close call, and it scared me to death.”
She took a sip of her drink to calm her nerves.
Matthew sat down and gave her a lazy smile. “Didn’t you meet them already?”
Clarissa gave him a sidelong glare. “You know what I mean!”
“Haha… I don’t.”
She rolled her eyes and refused to entertain him, lowering her head to sip on her drink instead.
After Matthew placed their orders, he turned back to her. “I can take you to meet them if you want to.”
Clarissa was truly terrified now, shaking her head rapidly as she immediately refused his offer.
“No, no! I don’t!”
After expressing her refusal so vehemently, she noticed that his face had frosted over.
Clarissa’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly clarified, “I-I mean, we just started dating, so it’s too soon to meet the family.” She paused for a beat before blurting out, “I’m scared, okay?”
Silence ensued as Matthew said nothing to that. When the food was served, he finally spoke, “Eat up.”
Clarissa sent a flattering smile at him. “Uncle Matthew, you agree with what I said, right? Going public too early might end up stifling our relationship. You’re too important to me. I can’t bear to part with you.” She giggled.
A smile played on Matthew’s lips. “Really?”
“Yes. Yes, of course!”
Clarissa nodded enthusiastically in response, eager to prove herself.
Matthew’s eyes flickered, and a mystifying smile stretched across his mouth.
Words failed Clarissa when he pierced her with such an intense stare, so she bowed her head to eat instead.
Later on, her excitement went into full swing again at the mention of her collaboration with Justin. She prattled on about it, and this was perhaps the most she had spoken. As she described her screenwriting ideas to Matthew, it never once crossed her mind that it might bore him listening to her.
Fortunately, Matthew did not appear bored. He clung to every word she said, appreciating the way she seemed to glow and steal his breath away time and again.
After both of them finished their meals, he held her hand and led her out. While they talked, Matthew’s face lit up with a soft smile.
When James came out with the others, he happened to glimpse Matthew’s silhouette. Surprise filled him and was about to hurry after the two of them, but they had already entered the elevator.
Sensing his hesitation, Kayla walked over and asked, “What’s wrong?”
James shook his head, deciding to keep this matter a secret for now, since he wasn’t completely certain about what he saw.
Matthias and his wife didn’t mention about Matthew having a girlfriend just now. Perhaps they really don’t know, or maybe they’re hiding it. No matter the reason, they’d never tell us about it.
Hence, James kept this matter from the two of them.
After both couples parted ways, Matthias revealed to his wife. “I saw Matthew just now.”
Yuliana was astonished. “Really?”
“Yeah. He was holding hands with a girl.”
“What?”
This was the biggest shock of all.
“Could you be mistaken?”
“No, I’m certain it was him. James probably saw him, too. This matter wasn’t a big deal in the beginning. And now that Matthew has found himself a girlfriend, none of us have the right to intervene, but the Smallwoods might get upset once they find out. As for his girlfriend, her identity undoubtedly plays a key role in how things pan out.”
Yuliana was no fool, easily catching the meaning behind her husband’s words.
However, she shook her head after a split second. “It’s not that complicated. Based on Matthew’s assertive personality, once he’s sure about something, no one can change his mind. What can the Smallwoods do? Are they going to force Matthew into marrying their daughter? I’m sure they know very well what kind of person Matthew is.”
Matthias laughed. “Of course, Matthew will never allow anyone to manipulate him. It’s just my father who might pose a problem.”
Yuliana fell silent at that.
Indeed, this was a problem.
Matthew and Clarissa had just returned to Zen Highlands when Matthias called.
Seeing as Clarissa was still grumpy after being forcibly brought to Zen Highlands, Matthew pinched her cheek affectionately before answering the call.
“Hey, Matthias.”
Clarissa immediately perked up as her eyes widened in alarm. Flustered, she leaned closer to Matthew, wanting to listen in on their conversation and find out whether they had been discovered at the restaurant earlier.
Matthew smiled lopsidedly and played with her hair while he spoke to his brother on the phone.
“Mm… Oh, you saw me?”
Clarissa was shocked to hear this. She leaned even closer to him. Faced with her dramatic facial expressions, Matthew was greatly amused.
“What’s so funny?” Clarissa protested in a barely audible voice, but Matthias still caught it on the other end of the line.
“So, it’s true.”
“Yes.” Matthew did not deny it.
“And you’re serious?”
“Mm.”
“When will you bring her home?”
Matthew glanced at the hyperventilating lady beside him before replying, “Maybe after a while longer.”
“Alright. Just do as you see fit. You know very well how our parents are.”
After they ended the call, Clarissa launched herself at Matthew and stared at him with bulging eyes that were filled with trepidation.
“Did your brother find out about us? He saw us, didn’t he?”
Matthew naturally curled his hand around her waist and answered, “Yes, he did.”
“Ahhhh… He really saw us?” Clarissa shrieked like a banshee.
As if the sky was falling. Panic overtook her body, and she flailed her arms in Matthew’s embrace, her mind in complete shambles.
He found her reaction adorable.
Unable to handle her cuteness any longer, he grasped her chin and sealed her lips.
Clarissa struggled for a while, to no avail. Only after she went limp from his passionate kiss was Matthew willing to release her. Finally freed, she shot him a petulant glare.
“That’s enough, Matthew! You’re still kissing me at a time like this? He knows! Oh God, your brother knows! I’m doomed. Doomed! What must they think of me?”
Matthew had in fact omitted the truth—his brother did not see that it was Clarissa beside him.
He just enjoyed watching her get all flustered.
“Mm. Indeed, what must they think of you?”
“They probably think I used Ellie to get close to you, a-a-and that I seduced you! Maybe they even think I’m trying to marry into your family because I’m after your money… Who am I kidding? Of course that’s what they think!” she huffed with a sulky expression on her face.
Then she shoved Matthew away, her chest heaving slightly as her imagination ran wild.
As though she was convinced that the Tysons really thought of her this way, she was once again overwhelmed by the unpleasant feeling of being misunderstood and cursed at.
It reminded her of the time when she was severely criticized online. It was something she did not want to go through a second time.
Disappointment and despair washed over her, making her feel depressed.
Matthew sensed the turmoil in her. He immediately scooped her into his arms and patted her back gently.
In a deep and comforting voice, he cooed, “Are you that afraid? Well, don’t be. You have me, right? Besides, didn’t you say that I was the shameless one who forced you into this? So why can’t you just push it all onto me?”
It looks like she’s actually just a timid little girl.
