Unfortunately, Shermaine would never get to execute her seemingly flawless plan.
Someone knocked on the door of their room early in the morning after the duo had a wild and raunchy night.
Gary, who happened to be topless, was roused from his sleep. Immediately after he answered the door, a bunch of strangers barged into their room with cameras.
They made their way to Shermaine’s direction and captured the photo of the topless woman. As soon as she was roused from her sleep, her mind was all over the place. Thus, she ended up shrieking and yelling in fear.
Within half an hour, the embarrassing photos made it to the internet and took the netizens by storm. In spite of the photos being censored due to legal concerns, those who had uploaded the photos didn’t bother to censor Shermaine’s face.
Shermaine’s life was the one that had been turned upside down over the night. After making it to the headlines, she became the talk of the town within a few hours.
It was evident Matthew had been pulling the strings behind the scenes.
The sort of messed-up relationship she had with Gary made it to the headlines as well.
The incidents involving Clarissa had been published; the secrets those from the upper echelon had been keeping to themselves unfolded in front of the public.
It turned out the two ladies were swapped by their heartless mother when they were young. To make things worse for Clarissa, her selfish mother accused her of countless things prior to her death. Clarissa had refrained from sharing the truth just to keep her loved ones safe. Meanwhile, Shermaine, who was aware of the truth, had been indulging herself instead of confessing the truth.
Although the details of Shermaine’s crimes had been omitted, the whistleblower had included the part Shermaine was the one behind most of Clarissa’s misfortune.
However, those aware of the truth had been sharing the details with the curious crowd, including Shermaine’s countless vicious plots.
Judy, who was involved in swapping the babies, was found dead in her village. The murderer was nowhere to be found. Nonetheless, the evidence the police had gathered indicated Gary and Shermaine were the masterminds.
The celebrities who had made fun of Shermaine had fallen victim to accidents one after another. Some of them almost lost their lives as a result.
Shermaine’s personal assistant, who had been staying away from Shermaine just because she was afraid of Shermaine, was violated by a bunch of men on her way home.
…
The various vicious plots of Shermaine had exposed her true colors. The public finally figured out she had been putting on an act ever since she was set free.
Worst of all, she had an active incest relationship with her half-brother of a different mother. They thought she didn’t deserve a second chance and started a witch hunt revolving around her.
Nonetheless, there wasn’t much the netizen could do since they would have to leave the rest to the judge.
As soon as their scandals made it to the headline, the police showed up at the hotel. Someone had tipped them off that Shermaine and Gary were the masterminds behind several murder cases.
Shermaine had no clue what actually happened when she was escorted into the police car.
She insisted on reaching out to her parents and getting herself an attorney to defend her the moment she reached the police station.
Unfortunately, James would no longer show his so-called daughter any mercy.
“James, you can’t leave Shermaine alone because of the baseless accusations! She’s our daughter! You have to do something to save her!”
“Shut up!”
It was the first time in forever James raised his volume against his wife. He asked in return, “What do you mean those are merely baseless accusations? Have you not seen the photos? I-I can’t believe…”
He couldn’t even bring himself to finish the sentence.
On the other hand, Kayla had her doubts and insisted, “Maybe someone has edited those photos! James, I’m sure you know Shermaine as well as I do!”
“Those might be edited, but what about the time she tried to embezzle the funds of the company? I have the transaction records proving her guilty!”
James showed his wife the stack of documents that had been sent to his doorstep immediately after Shermaine was taken away by the police.
He almost passed out due to wrath upon a simple glimpse at the transaction record. Unable to prove those had been forged, he couldn’t believe his beloved daughter was the one behind his undoing.
Who the hell is this so-called daughter of mine? There’s no way I’m rushing to her rescue even if she hadn’t tried to bring upon my undoing! There’s no way this is just another mere coincidence!
I just can’t believe she’s trying to take Clarissa out again! Worst of all, she’s having an incest relationship with Gary, his half-brother! There’s no way I’m acknowledging her as my daughter ever!
Kayla had faith in Shermaine and refused to believe her daughter had committed the sins. She yelled, “No, James! I’m sure someone has forged these!”
“Shut up!”
James’ wrath was written all over his face. He glared at his wife in the eyes and thought she was the one at fault for spoiling Shermaine over the years.
I’m afraid it’s over for me as well! Since Shermaine’s destined to be doomed, there’s no way Clarissa, who has never shown any signs of acknowledging us as her parents, will return to us!
Seconds after he gathered his thoughts, James turned around and was about to leave, but Kayla stopped him in an attempt to beg him to do their daughter a favor.
Unable to withstand her unreasonable request anymore, James forbade Kayla from leaving the house.
“None of you are allowed to set her free without my permission! Also, get rid of all the communication devices! I’ll terminate those who defy my instructions as well!”
Kayla ended up weeping over and over again. There was nothing she could do to save her so-called innocent daughter.
On the other hand, James sent someone to check on Shermaine’s situation. However, he couldn’t care less and stopped poking his nose into Shermaine’s business as much as she wished to request an audience with him.
……
Although things were chaotic due to the scandals, that wasn’t the case for those at Zen Highlands.
Clarissa held Leia in her arms and stood next to the window for their daily sunbathing session. She thought Leia was the perfect name for their indolent daughter.
Although most of the newborns would spend a majority of their time sleeping, there were at least a few hours they would be awake.
However, the little girl in her arms had no interest to explore the world. She would merely make a fuss whenever she was hungry or when her diaper was wet.
As long as she had the little girl’s needs taken care of, she would behave herself. Therefore, Clarissa thought it wasn’t such a bad idea to have such a slothful daughter since it would make her life easier.
After all, she had gone through hell with Damian during the first few months he was born.
The little girl furrowed her brows when she felt her mother running her fingers across her chin. It was evident she had yet to fall asleep.
“Leia, why are you such a slothful little girl?”
Her daughter remained silent.
“I’m afraid you’re not allowed to remain as slothful as such once you’re a grown-up! Otherwise, it’s such a waste of your gorgeous look!”
Clarissa was slightly bored since she had to keep herself entertained without others around her.
Matthew had made his way to W City with Catherine’s remains and brought Damian along with him.
Initially, she thought of tagging along with the father and son duo, but she knew it wasn’t time for her to make such an exhaustive trip just yet. As she didn’t want to stall the ritual anymore, she asked Matthew to send her grandmother back to W City on her behalf.
Apart from Julia and a few caregivers to look after her, there was no one around to keep her company.
Although Ellie had volunteered to take care of Clarissa on behalf of Matthew when he wasn’t around, she was still sleeping soundly when it was almost noon.
When Ellie showed up, Clarissa started teasing her daughter in an attempt to make fun of her so-called niece.
“Leia, can you wake up to keep me company? Leia! Hello?”
Aware of the things Clarissa had in mind, Ellie announced with her lips twitching, “They spend most of their time sleeping to induce growth. Are you bearing the consequences of her delay in growth, if there’s any?”
Clarissa snorted when she heard Ellie. She remarked in a sarcastic manner, “She’s not even asleep! I’m pretty sure she’s just trying to ignore me!”
Ellie approached the duo and leaned over to catch a glimpse of her cousin. The thought of giving birth crossed her mind at that particular moment.
I hope she grows up soon! I’ll get her a lot of dresses and doll her up with different styles! On top of that, I can get her a lot of other things!
“Leia, when are you going to grow up and join me for a shopping trip? I’ll get you everything you need in the future! I have found so many adorable clothes and bags for you, but I can’t get them since you won’t be able to use them!”
“You must be kidding me, aren’t you? Speaking of which, when are you getting married? Why don’t you save up for your daughter instead?”
“Me? There’s no way I’m giving birth! I’m pretty sure it hurts a lot!”
“Well, it certainly hurts a lot, but don’t you long for companion of a daughter?”
Ellie went dead silent since she was slightly against the idea. After much consideration, she announced while shaking her head, “We’ll talk about this again because there’s no way I’m giving birth in the near future.”
Clarissa had no intention to poke her nose into Ellie’s relationship with Shawn since she thought it wouldn’t be wise.
They continued discussing all sorts of random topics and refrained from talking about Shermaine when the person of interest hadn’t stopped making it to the headlines ever since the scandal.
Truth be told, Matthew had forbidden them from bringing up those in front of Clarissa prior to his departure to W City.
It was only a matter of time until Clarissa found out the truth, but he thought it just wasn’t the time since she was in the middle of recovery.
Meanwhile, Clarissa had no intention to figure out the things ongoing because her daughter was her only concern.
She was just glad to have the little girl next to her and thought she needed nothing else in life.
Grandma might have sent Leia to me to keep me company. If that’s the case, I can’t possibly let her down. I have to take good care of Leia on behalf of Grandma.
I guess I need to consider ourselves lucky since Leia is also the family’s sweetheart, including her father and brother.
Actually, she was the family’s sweetheart on the day we found out I was pregnant. I think she’s going to get everything her way in the future when she grows up.
With that being said, there’s nothing much she can do as of now. I mean, she doesn’t even want to talk to me.
Clarissa’s speculations were spot on as her little girl turned into a slothful woman who would spend most of her time doing nothing in the future.
