The way Justin regarded Clarissa highly raised suspicions from people working in the studio.
Didn’t a girl from the studio got fired because of spouting nonsense online about Clarissa?
Not only did Justin stand up for Clarissa by making an official statement online, but he also appointed her as a screenwriter. Even Ms. Mayer, who had collaborated with Justin for years, was only an assistant in this project. Besides, Justin accompanied Clarissa through all the briefing sessions. It would be hard not to suspect that something was going on between them.
Not to mention that Clarissa was young and beautiful.
Despite all the speculations, no one dared to comment about them because Clarissa might become Justin’s girlfriend in the future. Hence, it would be wiser to treat her nicely.
Meanwhile, after Shermaine got the news from a friend while filming at a film studio, she tossed her phone aside in a fit of anger.
Lizzie sighed, wondering who angered Shermaine again.
“What’s going on? Didn’t you say that Director Yates is going to film a new movie? Have you called him?”
Thanks to Justin, Shermaine won several international acting awards.
Shermaine could definitely give a try at Justin’s new movie given that she had acted in a few of his movies.
As the news went viral within the industry, Lizzie thought that it would be easier for Shermaine to star in Justin’s new movie because they were acquaintances.
After all, it had been years since Shermaine starred in a movie. Due to her lack of notable performances, she had to get the main role in Justin’s new movie.
Sulking, Shermaine did not answer Lizzie’s question.
After a while, she asked, “How long more till this shooting ends?”
Lizzie gave her assistant a knowing glance. “It will end in one week,” the assistant replied.
“Tell the director to speed up. I have to finish filming as soon as possible. Quick!”
The assistant waited for Lizzie’s acknowledgment before notifying the director about Shermaine’s request.
“There’s only a few days left, Shermaine. Is something wrong?”
“Clarissa is the screenwriter for Justin’s movie.”
Lizzie was aware. Shermaine bullied Clarissa in the past, but in the end, she was thriving better than her.
However, Lizzie didn’t think that was the reason that Shermaine was angry.
Indeed, Shermaine continued, “That woman. I can’t believe she has gotten into Justin’s good books. Now that Justin treats her so well, everyone is saying that she’s Justin’s lover.”
“What?”
Lizzie was surprised.
“Oh… is she going to put you in a difficult position?”
Shermaine scoffed, “Clarissa Quigley? So what if she’s Justin’s lover? I will get rid of her if that’s what I want.”
It was obvious that Shermaine was very unhappy even if she didn’t want to admit it.
After all, she saw Clarissa as a nobody who wouldn’t survive long in the industry. Shermaine didn’t take Clarissa out completely because she thought that she was pathetic.
However, she did not expect Clarissa to make her way up to the top so quickly. Besides becoming Justin’s lover, she was also involved in movie productions. How could Shermaine not feel angry at Clarissa when she was doted on by Justin?
There were always women surrounding Justin since he was in the showbiz industry for such a long time, but this was the first time he treated a woman so well.
Shermaine wasn’t targeting Clarissa specifically. It was just that she couldn’t allow anyone to be better than her on the set.
Before this, Shermaine was confident that she would become the lead actress in Justin’s movie. How could she watch Clarissa being supported by everyone in the crew and do nothing about it? She was already very jealous of Clarissa’s beauty.
Shermaine’s expression darkened as she pondered over her next move.
Meanwhile, Clarissa exited the office with Justin and his team.
“Are you coming with us tonight, Clarissa? It is Director Yates’ treat!”
Ms. Mayer and Justin were old friends. She didn’t gossip behind their back like the others because she knew exactly what their relationship was.
However, Ms. Mayer thought of matchmaking Justin and Clarissa because she didn’t know that Clarissa already had someone else.
That was the reason she invited Clarissa to every gathering.
Smiling, Clarissa was about to answer Ms. Mayer when Justin blurted, “Save your invitation for the next time.”
Following Justin’s gaze, Clarissa beamed at a car not far away from them.
Her eyes shone with happiness as she blushed shyly. Clearly, she was in love with the person in the car.
Ms. Mayer raised her eyebrows as she watched Clarissa running toward the car. It was only till halfway that Clarissa remembered that she hadn’t said a proper goodbye to her colleagues. After waving to them, she opened the car door and got into it.
Justin couldn’t help but chuckle, “Romance over friendship.”
Everyone thought Justin was referring to Clarissa, but he was actually talking about Matthew.
Matthew didn’t even bother to greet his friend when he picked up his girlfriend. He was definitely someone who would ditch his buddies for a woman.
Everyone looked at each other, completely stumped. Did they guess wrongly?
Nonetheless, Clarissa knew nothing about what was going on in their minds.
Before she got to speak a word on the car, Matthew had already cupped the back of her head and sealed her lips with his. The long and passionate kiss rendered her breathless and dizzy.
Clarissa instantly felt more at ease as she huddled close to Matthew and breathed in his familiar scent.
Matthew stroked her hair and kissed her on the head gently before asking in his low voice, “Do you miss me?”
Clarissa stifled a smile. Nudging Matthew on his chest with her forehead, she replied, “Of course. Are you happy to hear that?”
“Are you brushing me off?”
“No…”
Clarissa lowered her eyes and explained softly, “I… I’m still not used to you sweet talking to me.”
Matthew had only been gone on a business trip for a few days, but Clarissa felt a little embarrassed.
He lifted her chin and forced her to look into his mysterious eyes. As he edged closer to her, he said, “Get used to it then.”
Matthew kissed her again.
Clarissa chided Matthew secretly in her heart. She just wasn’t accustomed to him flirting with her, but not the kissing part.
She didn’t need to get used to his kiss because she already had.
After another passionate kiss, they went back to Zen Highlands.
After dinner, Clarissa couldn’t do anything else because she was locked tightly in Matthew’s embrace.
She started talking to him about her recent achievements at work. As she rambled on about Justin with admiration and gratitude for taking care of her, Matthew started to get jealous.
Now all she wants to talk about is Justin?
“Director Yates taught me how to…”
Before Clarissa could finish, she was shoved backward by Matthew. At the same time, he bent down and leaned toward her. Clarissa was in a vulnerable position.
Unable to comprehend why Matthew suddenly became rough toward her, she asked carefully, “What… What is it?”
Matthew narrowed his eyes and brushed his straight nose against Clarissa’s cheek as he closed in on her. They were in such proximity that their lips almost touched.
Clarissa looked away when she felt her cheeks flush.
“What’s wrong?”
“Do you like Justin that much?”
It took Clarissa a moment to realize that Matthew was jealous.
Stifling a laugh, she pursed her lips and looked into Matthew’s dimmed eyes.
“Yes, I… Mmm…”
Clarissa couldn’t talk because Matthew kissed her again. She was finally freed from him after shoving him with all her might. “Why are you being jealous? I’m just admiring Director Yates and respecting him as a senior.”
With one hand still on Clarissa’s back, Matthew asked, “Don’t you admire or respect me?”
“What? Admire you and respect you?” Clarissa couldn’t help chuckling, “I used to admire and respect you in the past, but you are the one who wasted away my respect for you, Uncle Matthew.”
Clarissa emphasized the word “uncle” deliberately.
What a shameless man. You are not worth my admiration and respect!
Matthew didn’t say anything for a while, but then he suddenly nodded approvingly.
“Indeed.”
Amused, Clarissa suppressed a smile and patted Matthew on his chest.
“Don’t ask for what you can’t handle, alright?”
Matthew laughed out loud upon seeing Clarissa being pleased with herself.
Grabbing her hand, he scooped her up with both his hands and headed upstairs.
Clarissa hurriedly protested, “I’m not tired and I don’t want to go upstairs. I still have work to do!”
Matthew retaliated smilingly, “Since I don’t have your admiration and respect, I need something else from you. You’ve forgotten that I’m a businessman again, Clare. I will never strike a deal that doesn’t benefit me.”
Cursing silently in her heart, Clarissa retorted, “I’m not one of your businesses. I’m a human being and I have human rights! I have the right to ask you to let go of me, and I have the right not to sleep with you.”
“I never said I wanted you to sleep with me,” Matthew said slyly.
Clarissa was speechless. She stared wide-eyed at Matthew as her face flushed from embarrassment.
“Matthew Tyson, can you show some abstinence? I like you better when you’re cold and mysterious.”
Matthew laughed, “Likewise. I like you better when you’re lying in the bathtub with your whole body drenched, looking innocent and seductive at the same time.”
Clarissa was infuriated. “I told you that I didn’t do it on purpose. It was just a coincidence! I was framed! You have to forget about it!”
Matthew would never agree to it.
After opening the bedroom door and carrying Clarissa in, he kicked the door shut and pressed himself on top of her on the bed.
He grinned wickedly when she resisted.
Turning on his side, he placed a finger on her chest and teased, “Change another image then. For example, you can wrap yourself in a towel before me… Mmm…”
