Clarissa didn’t give a damn about the look Yvonne had on her face or even how much Yvonne hated her guts. She merely put her phone away and left the lounge without a word.
She heard a hysterical, piercing screech from behind her the moment she left, followed by plenty of cursing.
As Clarissa paused briefly, Gina asked, “Do I need to shut them up for you?”
Clarissa smiled at Gina’s impassive face. “You’re adorable.”
Gina raised an eyebrow.
“I don’t think that word suits me, ma’am.”
Clarissa merely chuckled. “Well, you’re just unaware of how cute you are. Either way, you’re adorable.”
As the pair made their way out, they suddenly encountered a familiar face who they were least expecting to see in a place like this.
“Mimi!”
Clarissa observed how Mimi was hugged by a man. She was also surrounded by plenty of other people presumably acquaintances, or friends of hers. Clarissa then frowned as she walked towards the group.
When Mimi finally noticed Clarissa, a hint of guilt flashed in her eyes. She smiled and greeted the other woman. “Clare! Fancy seeing you here!”
Clarissa snorted coldly. “Fancy seeing you here as well. Dare I ask what you’re doing in a place like this?”
“Oh, is that Mimi’s rich sister? You’re so beautiful!”
The girl next to Mimi was aware that Mimi had a very affluent sister. She had reached that conclusion when she spied Mimi being dropped off at acting boot camp in a luxury car. However, she had not expected Clarissa to be this beautiful in person.
Initially, everyone else had brushed Mimi off, thinking she was making up stories. As it turned out, she was telling the truth after all.
“Wow, Mimi! Your sister looks lovely!” With a grin at Clarissa, the girl continued. “We’re all Mimi’s friends! Why don’t you hang out with us?”
The words of affirmation immediately boosted Mimi’s ego. She hurriedly walked over to Clarissa and held her hand as if the two were the closest of friends.
“A few of my friends wanted to hang out. If I didn’t say yes, then it would seem quite stand-offish, no? Why don’t you join us too? I’m assuming that’s why you’re here.”
Clarissa immediately yanked her arm away and glared at Mimi. She was not going to entertain such a shameless display.
“I put together your tuition fees, dear. Do you think you’ll be admitted to the film academy by gallivanting like this? Will you make it big and pay me back later?”
Mimi’s expression darkened in the light of Clarissa’s ridicule.
She lowered her voice and hissed. “I only came out this one time, and you happened to run into me. Is that really a problem? I’ve been working my a** off getting to classes on time, mind you. Cut me some slack.”
“You’d better be.”
Of course, Clarissa did not believe a word she said.
“Are you leaving? Because I am.”
“Don’t be like that, Clare. Since you’re here, why don’t you loosen up and have some fun?”
Clarissa snorted. “I’m certainly not as free as you are.”
Having said that, Clarissa and Gina left without giving Mimi a chance to say anything else. Mimi glanced at their retreating figures and scowled but quickly forced a smile before facing her friends. “She said she’s busy, you guys. Sorry about that.”
“Oh, it comes as no surprise, Mimi. But she’s drop-dead gorgeous! I think she would be the next big hit in showbiz. Heck, that that other lady next to her, is that a bodyguard? Isn’t she awesome!”
The few of them chatted excitedly amongst each other, but the man who was closest to Mimi suddenly placed his arm around her and asked, “Is your sister interested in acting?”
“Leo, do you mean…”
Mimi was surprised. Just when she had finally managed to get up close to a deputy director, Clarissa managed to steal her thunder. Mimi was quite unhappy at the prospect.
“What’s with that look? I can’t ask?”
Mimi hurriedly forced a grin as she looked Leo in the eye. “I meant that I do think it’s a waste of her good looks. But she’s well-off and dislikes acting. I doubt she’d be interested.”
“Why wouldn’t she be interested? It’s hard to say. How about this? Why don’t you find an opportunity to set up a meeting between us? Who knows, she might actually be a potential actress who’s just looking to catch her big break. I’ve got a good feeling about her.”
Mimi was very jealous, but a nudge from one of her classmates snapped her out of her thoughts. She nodded quickly.
“Okay, I’ll ask her when I can.”
After that, the whole bunch decided to go about and have fun. Just then, she was pulled aside by the same classmate who whispered, “Don’t be jealous, Mimi. Your sister is so beautiful that we can’t even compare. However, Leo is someone with the necessary connections. I’d stick close to him and butter him up a little. It’ll only benefit you in the future if you’re on his good side.”
Mimi nodded. She had the same sentiment even without the reminder from her classmate.
Of course, there was more to this. She could just introduce Clarissa to Leo and have that fall apart spectacularly. That would be the icing on the cake.
Today’s encounter was quite humiliating to Yvonne. After a stern warning to her friends about not saying a word regarding today’s encounter, she hurried home.
However, her mood plummeted even more when she entered the house to find Hilary humming to herself.
She stepped forward impulsively, as if she wanted to slap the cheerfulness out of Hilary but stopped short. Yvonne suddenly recalled the photograph that Clarissa had.
It took quite some effort for Yvonne to contain her emotions, but she managed. The house felt stifling to her all of a sudden. She then turned on her heel and left to see if she could find someone to comfort her.
Yvonne decided to seek out Luke. After a quick romp, she suddenly began to cry.
Luke impatiently lit a cigarette and took a drag before coldly surveying Yvonne’s ridiculous display with disgust.
I think I’ve had enough of this one. I should end things soon.
“Mr. Harrison, I was bullied.”
Yvonne could not help herself from speaking, having noticed that Luke did not console her the moment she started to cry.
“And who would dare do that?”
“It was that sk*nk, Clarissa.”
Yvonne then launched into a whole tirade involving what happened that day, but not without some embellishments to add fuel to the fire. In her version of the story, Clarissa was the one who took it upon herself to provoke Yvonne because Clarissa could not bear to see her enjoying herself. She also added something about how Clarissa was jealous of her having money and having a good time.
Interestingly enough, Luke did not sympathize with her. All he did was laugh.
“Her, jealous of you? Give it a rest. You really are thick-skinned to be making up stories like this. I’m going to be that it was you who started this whole thing. Don’t pretend to be the victim here. Do you think I don’t know your temperament?”
The discomfort on Yvonne’s face was even more apparent, having been called out on her lie. What made her even more unhappy was Luke’s defense of Clarissa.
“Even so, don’t you think she is cunning? Mr. Harrison, she even threatened to expose us to Mason. I don’t really care, since it’s you I really desire anyway. But if she were to go public with this, what will happen to your reputation?”
Luke burst out laughing. “What about my reputation? She can say whatever she wants. It’s not like I care.”
“Absolutely not!”
Yvonne was quite anxious and immediately objected to this. “Mr. Harrison, am I not someone you’re fond of? Why won’t you help me? I’ve given you so much of my love and affection. Do I mean nothing to you at all? I can’t let Clarissa threaten me. She has that incriminating photo and will definitely use it to her advantage. I can’t just sit here and let her blackmail me like this.”
“She’s not that kind of person.”
Based on the tone of voice, Luke seemed to know Clarissa quite well.
Another pang of jealousy stabbed Yvonne in the chest. She then climbed into Luke’s lap and ground into him seductively. “Mr. Harrison, I don’t think it matters what kind of person she is. But as long as she has the upper hand, I will never be at ease. Are you really not afraid of her exposing you?”
Luke pushed Yvonne away, his eyes ruthless. “Yvonne, this is an obviously personal matter between the two of you, and I refused to be dragged into this. Besides, you’ll be married soon, so we’ll end this now. Leave the keys on the table before you go.”
“What? Mr. Harrison. Even if I’m married, I’ll love only you!”
Luke sneered. “Is that so? I think such flattery is best left to your silly little fiancé. Now I want you out of here before I change my mind and have him pick you up instead.”
Varying emotions flitted across Yvonne’s face before she finally put her clothes on unwillingly and left Luke’s apartment.
After she left, Luke made his way to the bathroom and took a shower. He then had a smoke on the balcony.
Some time later, Luke smiled. There was work to be done.
Clarissa was not expecting to be tailed by Luke.
He was not stalking her and even seemed to be quite forthcoming about it. He had been following her since she drove out of Zen Highlands.
Exasperated, Clarissa finally pulled over and waited for him to do so as well. When Luke stepped out of the car, his face still bore that grin of familiarity. His salacious gaze roamed her body, not bothering to hide his thoughts.
Clarissa was not particularly fond of Luke, but he clearly had something in mind.
She suddenly thought of Yvonne and had a rough idea of what he wanted to do.
Gina had stepped out of the car when she did, keeping a close eye on Clarissa.
Luke glanced at Gina before turning his attention back to Clarissa again. “Clare, darling. You’ve grown even lovelier since our last meeting.”
“Cut the crap, Mr. Harrison. Are you here on behalf of Yvonne?”
“Yes.”
“Then, I’m going to be frank. I can’t give the photo to you, because this is my way of ensuring that she stops behaving the way she does. Kindly go back and tell Yvonne that I’ll stay out of her way as long as she stays out of mine. If she behaves, I have no reason to use this photo. But if she steps one toe out of line, then I won’t have a reason to be so nice anymore.”
“Mmm.”
Luke merely agreed without saying much.
Clarissa frowned, not understanding what Luke meant.
However, she didn’t want to spend that much time with him.
“Since we’re both clear, then I’ll be on my way.”
Clarissa was about to get into the car when Luke suddenly tried to stop her, but Gina moved first. She pulled Clarissa aside and aimed a kick at Luke’s shin.
Luke reacted quickly enough to avoid Gina’s attack and stood his ground.
“Clare, what’s all this for? I bear you no ill will. This driver of yours is fantastic as well! Is she employed by Matthew? He treats you well, but how well can he treat you? Will he eventually marry you?”
Luke’s words were deliberate.
Clarissa smiled coldly. “I appreciate your concern, Mr. Harrison, but whether or not we marry has nothing to do with you.”
“Ah, I figured that might be the case. Well, if you’re not going to be Mrs. Tyson, I’ll be here waiting.”
As to what he was waiting for, they both knew very well.
Clarissa glared daggers at the man, but Gina quickly stepped forward and punched Luke in the face on her own accord.
