Clarissa stopped in her tracks awkwardly when Luke raised an eyebrow at her.
“It’s not easy to bump into you, Clare!”
Luke didn’t bother to conceal his interest in Clarissa. Knowing his intentions, Clarissa had blacklisted him a long time ago.
“Why should we bump into each other when there’s hardly anything to talk about, Mr. Harrison?”
Clarissa’s attitude to Luke was utterly cold, but he moved closer to her swiftly and blocked her way with his arms.
They were so close to each other that every onlooker would have thought that something was going on between them.
Especially Yarick, who was approaching Clarissa.
Luke inched closer toward Clarissa and laughed deliberately. “I assume you’re with Matthew now, right?”
Clarissa tried to push Luke away but to no avail. Disgusted, she could only frown and stay alert.
“How dare you treat me rudely when you know that?”
Luke snorted, “Why would I be scared? Do you really think that you can be the future Mrs. Tyson?”
“What I think is none of your business. Don’t forget about Matthew’s warning to you and the fact that your half-brother is in his good books.”
At the thought of Matthew’s threat, Luke’s eyes glinted dangerously.
“Don’t you threaten me with Matthew Tyson, Clarissa. You’ll regret this because I’m a vindictive person…”
Luke hadn’t finished his sentence when Yarick shoved him away.
Clarissa heaved a sigh of relief while Yarick glared at Luke icily. At the instance, Yarick’s stance was intimidating instead of how obedient he usually was around Matthew and Jeremy.
After all, Yarick came from a prominent family in D City. He might be more casual around his friends, but people wouldn’t dare to offend him recklessly.
Yarick’s chubby built and tall height made him look stronger than average. He was large enough to shield Clarissa from Luke completely.
Smiling arrogantly at Luke with a glass of wine in his hand, Yarick overwhelmed Luke completely with his sense of superiority.
Mr. Harrison, as most people would address him respectfully, was a few inches shorter than Yarick.
Although both of them were in upper-class society, Luke didn’t stand a chance against Yarick’s imposing manner.
“What are you trying to do, Luke? Don’t you know who she is?”
Straightening his back, Luke faked a courteous smile and said, “As a matter of fact, I don’t, Mr. Payne. However, I’m completely innocent in this. She’s the one who tried to seduce me in the first place!”
Clarissa knitted her brows and scoffed angrily, “What can I gain from seducing you, Luke Harrison? You know who I’m with and he’s already warned you before. Do you think I’ll give him up for you? And even if I’m intending to seduce you, I’m not stupid enough to do that in front of Mr. Payne!”
“’Mrs. Tyson’s right, Luke. She’s smarter than you think.”
“You shouldn’t call me that, Mr. Payne.”
Grinning, Yarick replied, “Alright.”
Despite feeling infuriated after being disregarded and humiliated by Yarick, Luke didn’t dare lash out his anger.
At the sight of Clarissa and Luke, Yvonne strode up to them and placed her hand on Luke’s arm. “Don’t even think about it, Clarissa. Luke is my boyfriend. You’re just an old-fashioned brat who doesn’t deserve his attention,” Yvonne taunted.
“Jeez…” Yarick exclaimed in an impish manner similar to Jeremy.
The corner of Clarissa’s mouth twitched as Yarick began, “Which madwoman is this? I’m not being personal, Luke, but you really need to improve your taste in women. Of all women, you have to choose an ugly one who likes to badmouth others. Are you in such dire need? I can introduce some proper women to you if you really can’t find one on your own.”
“You… Who the hell are you, you stupid fatty? How dare you say such things about me? You’re just a loser like Clarissa, pig head!”
“Yvonne Garrett!”
“Yvonne!”
Zach and Luke yelled almost simultaneously, shocking Yvonne.
Before Zach could apologize to Yarick on his daughter’s behalf, Yarick snorted, “What an idiot you are. What did you call me just now? Stupid fatty? Pig head?” Yarick turned to Zach and scoffed, “This idiot is your daughter, isn’t she? I’ve never met anyone so stupid as to address me that rudely in my whole life. Bravo!”
Clarissa stifled a laugh beside them when she thought of how Jeremy always called Yarick “fatty”.
Of course, Jeremy could get away with it because they were buddies.
“Please don’t get mad, Mr. Payne. It’s my fault for not disciplining her well enough. Yvonne, you better come over and apologize to Mr. Payne right now!”
Terrified by her father’s bellow, Yvonne realized that the fatty before her must be someone important.
Panicked, she tried to hold onto Luke but he pushed her away mercilessly.
“Mr. Payne, I…”
“Don’t bother to apologize. Please don’t, I mean it. It’ll be no fun once you apologize.”
With a cold laugh, Yarick turned around and walked away. Zach followed immediately and apologized profusely to him whereas Yvonne stood rooted to the ground on the brink of tears.
Not expecting to witness that scene, Clarissa tried to sneak out of the party because the mood was already ruined.
“Did you cause trouble on purpose?” Jonathan asked while following behind Clarissa, but he didn’t seem to be questioning her angrily. Instead, he was simply curious and couldn’t care less about the party.
Clarissa shook her head and replied, “I’m not capable of that. Yvonne was the one who made a fool of herself.”
“She’s quite stupid probably because she was spoilt by our grandparents, but she’s still my sister. I hope you can let her off on my account even if she offends you one day.”
“I’m not the type of person to start a fight with somebody else, Jonathan, but I also won’t tolerate anyone who tries to bully me. I don’t think you know how patient I’ve been when Yvonne singled me out a couple of times previously. If she really goes out of line again, I won’t hesitate to fight back. I hope you will understand.”
Jonathan nodded. “I know.”
Clarissa looked at the mature boy and wondered how Hilary managed to give birth to a boy who was thoughtful and kind, unlike their mother.
She was glad to have a brother like him.
“Jonathan, I really like you even though we’ve only met for the first time. We can meet up next time when you are free and if you want to.”
“Sure… Sis.”
Smiling, Clarissa stepped forward and hugged Jonathan. The boy blushed again as he was not used to this intimate gesture.
Clarissa left the party early. As soon as she reached Zen Highlands, Hilary called her.
Clarissa was surprised to see Matthew and Yarick sitting on the couch together. After greeting them with a smile, she walked out to the garden and picked up the phone.
“It was so satisfying to watch how Zach reprimand that spoilt brat, Clary. Serves her right! I’ve never felt so delighted in my whole life!” Hilary laughed smugly.
Clarissa couldn’t help but remind her, “Just keep your feelings to yourself, Mom. Be careful not to show it.”
“Okay, okay. Don’t worry, I’m not as stupid as Yvonne. I know what to do and what not to do. But there’re rumors that you have something to do with it, is that true?”
“No, Mom. Mr. Payne was talking to Luke when Yvonne thought I was up to something and humiliated Mr. Payne. I’m not very close to Mr. Payne actually.”
“I see. Yvonne accused you of instigating the argument between Mr. Payne and Luke. You really don’t know him well?”
“For god’s sake, Mom. How did I manage to get acquainted with him in the first place?”
“Indeed. Yvonne is in so much trouble right now. It’s nice to have something good happening right after your brother’s return. You seem to get along well with him.”
“Yes, I like him a lot.”
“He’s your brother, Clary. The two of you must have each other’s backs in the future.” Hilary paused for a moment before she continued, “I was intending to introduce you to a few handsome chaps, but I forgot all about it because of Yvonne’s scene. Too bad. I guess I’ll have to arrange that another time. Your brother and I will be so happy for you if you marry well in the end.”
The truth, however, was that Hilary wanted Clarissa to marry well for Jonathan’s sake.
Clarissa didn’t need Hilary to say it out loud to know that it was her selfish intention.
After ending the call, Clarissa sighed.
Yarick had already left by the time she went back to the living room. Matthew’s cold and stern gaze penetrated through the smoke rising from the cigarette in his hand. His intimidating aura got stronger because of his expressionless face.
Clarissa sat beside him and mumbled to herself.
She was just craving for his abstinent look the other day, and now he was looking as distant as ever.
Clarissa found Matthew charming whenever he was acting cool, abstinent, and distant to her, but she felt a little uneasy at the same time.
“Has Mr. Payne told you everything, Uncle Matthew? Let me be clear that I didn’t know Luke was going to be there and treating me rudely. You can’t be angry at me because of that!”
Matthew took one last puff of his cigarette before stubbing it with his finger.
As he reached his arm out to Clarissa, she inched closer to him and rested in his arms.
He doesn’t seem to be angry.
Lifting Clarissa’s chin up, Matthew looked into her eyes and asked, “Tell me, what happened between you and Luke?”
Pfft…
Clarissa almost snorted out loudly. Did Matthew really expect her to tell him everything?”
