Despite going through them for a long time, Clarissa was still undecided.
Mesmerized by the different pictures of luxurious weddings, Clarissa was overwhelmed and struggled to pick one.
The biggest reason was that all of them were beautiful, romantic, and obviously expensive.
After relating her dilemma to Matthew, he gave her an answer only the filthy rich would.
“Let’s hold a wedding with every one of the themes then.”
Ignoring his opinion, Clarissa felt that it was better if she chose it herself.
Of course, the next question was which season was it going to be held.
“Winter? Or Spring next year?”
That was Clarissa’s next dilemma.
However, she was leaning toward spring next year as they were in winter now, and she wasn’t sure if they could convince the Tysons in time for the wedding. Furthermore, there were still lots of other matters to attend to and it simply felt too much of a rush.
“What do you think?”
Clarissa asked Matthew for his opinion.
Matthew chuckled, “I think the earlier the better.”
Clarissa pursed her lips, “So, do you want to get married tomorrow then?”
Matthew raised his eyebrow, “Tomorrow’s not a problem at all as long as you’re fine with it.”
Clarissa snorted, “Stop fooling around.”
However, Matthew hugged her tightly and whispered something into her ear.
After a brief silence, Clarissa smiled in response.
“I can’t believe you thought of that.”
However, Matthew smiled before sealing her lips with his own. As both of them kissed in each other’s embrace, it slowly led to a night of passion.
The next day, when Clarissa met Ellie, she was tsk-tsked by Ellie instead. “You sure are all dolled up today. Why aren’t you going to see Uncle Matt? Instead, you came here to see me?”
Clarissa snorted as she was visibly upset.
“He has gone on a business trip overseas as there has been an emergency. It seems to be pretty serious so he had to head over urgently.”
Just thinking about it caused Clarissa to feel disgruntled. Why does it have to be today of all days?
Ellie chuckled. “Fine, since Uncle Matt isn’t here, I’ll keep you company. Isn’t that what you want to hear? Let’s go now. Coincidentally, I’m relatively free these few days and waiting for the shopping season to start. Haha… I am going to make a lot of money. By the way, you have to help me too. Or else, I’ll be overwhelmed then. Once we finish our meal later, I want to take a few more pictures of the new products. I have even started livestreaming…”
Just like that, Ellie’s busy work had taken Clarissa’s mind off her initial displeasure.
After she returned to Zen Highlands in the evening, she was reminded that she forgot to call Matthew the moment he video called her.
Lying lazily in bed with her phone in her hand, she could see Matthew’s exhausted expression, causing her to sympathize with him.
“How are things over there? Is it serious or even dangerous? You have to be careful…”
Matthew massaged his forehead and smiled faintly.
“I’m fine. We will resolve the problem soon enough, so don’t worry.”
“Alright, it’s not like I know much about your work. However, you must promise me that you will keep yourself safe. Recently, I read about mass shootings in certain countries which I find really scary. Therefore, I worry whenever you’re out of the country. Also, make sure you eat well and get enough rest. I don’t want to see you losing weight or looking haggard when you return, alright?”
Clarissa look the part when she barked out her instructions.
And Matthew simply loved this side of her.
“Alright, I’ll listen to you and obey all your commands.”
Faced with Matthew’s acquiescence, Clarissa’s stern face couldn’t help but break into a smile as she looked at him coyly.
“Hmph! You have to obey everything I say now.”
“Of course.”
Clarissa laughed in response as she slid underneath the blanket, only exposing her head.
She pouted her lips coquettishly. “Come back as soon as possible, alright?”
She had never acted this way before but now, she has grown even more dependent on him.
As long as Matthew wasn’t by her side, she would not feel grounded. After all, he was someone she depended on her entire life and also her lover. Hence, only she can make such requests of him.
Matthew locked his dark and gentle gaze on her, as that was his only way of showing his desire.
After being lost in a longing gaze with each other, Clarissa suddenly chuckled.
“Look at us both being foolish. Anyway, let’s stop the staring contest. We can continue when you’re back. For now, I just want to go to bed.”
Matthew replied with a deep voice, “Alright. Sleep early then. Good night and sweet dreams.”
“Hehe… I’ll be dreaming of you. See you in my dreams then.”
Matthew’s eyes were filled with gentleness and adoration.
With regards to Matthew’s trip overseas, it wasn’t considered a secret. Hence, anyone who was interested to know could find out easily.
When Margaret somehow knew about it, she ended her phone call and quickly summoned Yuliana.
“Yuliana, come with me to Zen Highlands.”
Remembering her husband’s warning to not get involved in Matthew’s business, she hesitated at the request.
Although she didn’t like Clarissa joining the family, she still felt apprehensive because of her husband’s words and the icy cold gaze Matthew gave her the last time.
“Mom, shouldn’t we let Matthew know in advance before we head over there? Furthermore, would he even let us in?”
“What are you talking about? He is overseas now, and I’m his mom. They wouldn’t dare keep me out. Get ready, we’re heading over there now.”
Yuliana finally understood what Margaret’s plan was.
She intended to do something to Clarissa given that Matthew was away.
As Margaret was her mother-in-law, it would be difficult for her to disobey. Therefore, she had no choice but to take Margaret to Zen Highlands.
However, when they arrived, they were still stopped at the gate and required the owner’s permission before they could enter.
This served to further infuriate Margaret. If it was Matthew that had treated them this way, Margaret wouldn’t have been that angry. After all, she knew her son’s character very well. But since this involved Clarissa now, Margaret was simply outraged.
“Who does she think she is? Why do we need to notify her?”
Sitting inside the car, Margaret had the urge to barge into the house and vent her frustrations on Clarissa.
Even Yuliana was upset as she felt Clarissa was just showing off her authority over them.
However, the truth was that Clarissa wasn’t at home. She had been busy at Ellie’s studio helping out.
Hence, the security guard informed them that the owner wasn’t home and only the maid was there.
That was when Margaret had the impression that Clarissa was hiding from them. After giving Mrs. Lawson a call and an earful along with it, Mrs. Lawson finally let them in.
However, after waiting at Zen Highlands for the whole afternoon, they had no choice but to leave as Clarissa didn’t return.
Leaving empty-handed, Margaret felt humiliated by it and threatened Mrs. Lawson.
“Tell that girl that I order her to come to the Tyson residence this afternoon.”
When Mrs. Lawson called to pass the message, Clarissa felt helpless.
“What’s wrong?” Ellie asked.
After giving it some thought, Clarissa felt it was better to tell her the truth.
“Mrs. Tyson wants we to go over to the Tyson residence.”
“Why? Hasn’t she given up yet? She’s just being ridiculous, so just ignore her.”
“However, she said that I must go.”
Ellie tsked. “Fine, I’ll come with you then. Uncle Matt isn’t around so I’ll protect you and make sure no harm will come to you.”
With that, both of them headed to the Tyson residence
The moment Clarissa and Ellie arrived, they saw Shermaine there.
Isn’t it obvious she’s here to watch the fireworks?
Ellie went on the offensive first. “Grandma, why are you inviting all sorts of characters into the house? After her devious plot against Uncle Matt and almost causing a disaster to the company, why are you still keeping in touch with her? Aren’t you worried that the treacherous snake would bite our family from the back?”
Margaret had almost forgotten about what happened in the past after being fawned upon by Shermaine.
However, after being reminded by Ellie, she felt slightly disconcerted by it.
By pointing out those incidents, Ellie was indirectly ridiculing her, causing her expression to turn gloomy.
And then, she was further upset by the sight of Clarissa.
“That’s enough. Now is not the time to talk about the past. Besides, I only called for Clarissa. So, what did you come here for?”
Ellie snorted, “Since you summoned Clare, it must relate to our family. Grandma, as we are discussing family business, why don’t you get those who are unrelated to leave first.”
Her words were obviously aimed at Shermaine.
Shermaine gave Margaret a pitiful look and remarked, “Mrs. Tyson, it seems now isn’t an appropriate time to see you. So, I’ll take my leave. However, with regards to what happened in the past, please believe me that I really didn’t mean for them to occur. Given how much I’m into Matt, why would I do something against his interest? Putting Matt aside, how could I bring myself to hurt you given our relationship?”
Margaret’s heart softened at Shermaine’s words, she held onto her hand and stopped her from leaving.
“What’s this talk about leaving? I watched you grow up so you’re not an outsider at all. Hence, there’s no need for you to leave.”
Just as she spoke, she turned her attention to Clarissa thinking what a venomous witch she was. Not only did Clarissa seduce her son away causing him to be at loggerheads with his family, but she also convinced Ellie to do the same. To Margaret, Clarissa was nothing but a troublemaker.
She verbally attacked Clarissa right off the bat. “Clarissa, instead of being grateful for how well our family treated you, you deceived Ellie and Matthew into turning against their own family. Has this been your goal the whole time?”
“Grandma, what are you talking about? I have not been tricked. Clare and I are…”
“Shut your trap!”
In an authoritative tone, Margaret cut Ellie off when she tried to explain.
Fuming, Ellie wanted to protest further as she felt that whatever she said would fall on deaf ears.
She realized that her family’s misconception and resentment toward Clarissa were too deep-rooted to change.
Hence, all she felt was pity and contempt.
Meanwhile, Margaret continued to admonish Clarissa, mocking and ridiculing her. She blamed Clarissa for all the evils in the world and accused her of scheming against her family.
This was how a prominent family such as the Tysons treated an ordinary girl. All because she fell in love with someone they felt she didn’t deserve.
