It was not that Matthew wasn’t on good terms with his family, but he was put off by the things they did to him.
In the end, the family bond worn off by the day.
Nonetheless, he kept his mouth shut. He was used to keeping this toxic family relationship to himself. In fact, he was a man of few words.
“Ok then, I’ll deal with Grandma while you take care of your family.”
Matthew lifted the corners of his lips and patted her butt. “Ok, leave it to me.”
Clarissa wrinkled her nose to show her displeasure at Matthew for getting handsy.
However, she let him be since that was just how he was around her. She was used to it by now.
They walked along the road facing the sun as Matthew blocked the wind for her. He wrapped her up in his coat, closed his eyes and took a whiff of the cool crisp winter air. It felt like he was enveloped in warmth even though they were out in the bitter cold.
Moreover, Clarissa need not be afraid of the cold anymore with Matthew around.
They made out for a bit before heading back home.
Clarissa video-called Catherine alongside Matthew when they got back home.
She told Catherine all about their wedding plans.
“Good, good. It’s good that you’ve finally settled down.”
Catherine was ecstatic.
“Grandma, I’ll come over with Clare for a visit soon. I feel the need to formally inform you of this matter.”
“Oh, it’s fine as long as I’ve been informed that both of you are getting married. Right, have you guys decided on the date? How are you guys planning to do it? Anyhow, I’ll leave it to you. You, youngsters, are full of ideas. I saw lots of Chinese and Western-style weddings on the telly. You can decide for yourselves, no need to go through me. I just want you to be happy.”
“Grandma, you talk as if he doesn’t need your permission to do the proposal officially.”
Catherine chuckled. “Isn’t he doing just that right now?”
Clarissa rolled her eyes. Catherine was acting like she couldn’t wait to marry her off.
She shot Matthew a look of disapproval but was caught red-handed by Catherine. “Clare, why did you roll your eyes at him? That’s rather inappropriate. Also, don’t bully Matthew. He didn’t do anything to you.”
Clarissa widened her eyes in disbelief. However, Catherine brushed her off and turned her attention back to Matthew.
“Matthew, we don’t have any marriage requirements from our side of the family. What about yours?”
Clarissa kept quiet as Catherine asked about the Tysons. Nonetheless, Matthew kept it together with a smile. “Grandma, everything is fine from my side of the family. I will take care of everything, so you don’t worry.”
“Oh, that’s great.”
Catherine thought Matthew should be matured enough to take care of his own wedding now since he wasn’t in his twenties anymore.
Hence, Catherine believed him without a doubt.
It was quite common for kids who came from different cities to get married these days. Therefore, their parents might even only get to meet one another on the wedding day itself. Catherine kept those thoughts to herself since they wouldn’t be getting married right this instance anyways.
After hanging up the call, Matthew and Clarissa had a chat about married life and the wedding arrangements. They even imagined the wonderful life they would lead after getting married.
Meanwhile, Helen had seen Clarissa showing off her engagement ring in their group chat, but didn’t believe that she would be marrying Matthew.
After all, she had chided her when Matthew was involved in a scandal with Shermaine. Moreover, he was rumored to be looking for his future wife a long time ago.
If it is not Matthew, then could it be Damon?
Clarissa had attended their high school reunion along with Damon at that time.
Nonetheless, Helen felt jealous and angry at the news of Clarissa’s engagement.
She even asked around to see if the Tysons or the Wynters were planning for a wedding, but none of them were.
Hence, Helen was sure that Clarissa’s husband-to-be was neither of them. It must be some ugly old man.
Helen was gleeful at this thought.
That was why she took the initiative to greet Clarissa when they ran into each other.
“Clarissa, it’s been so long. Did you come alone?”
Clarissa turned around and saw that it was Helen.
“Long time no see,” she greeted placidly.
She stood there as if she was waiting for someone.
Helen plastered a smile on her face, not planning on leaving anytime soon.
“You’re not really engaged, are you? Haha…”
It was obvious that she did not believe the news. However, Clarissa ignored her. “Ok, I’m just joking. Are you really getting married? Who’s your fiancé? Do I know him? Is he from D City? Tell me about him. My husband and I might know who he is.”
Clarissa asked coldly, “Are you too free?”
“Hey, don’t be shy. We might just know who he is if he belongs in the upper class society. Tell me about him so I can prepare a lavish wedding gift for both of you. Or perhaps is he not from the upper class society? Hmm, that’s possible. He wouldn’t know about your past if he’s a nobody, right? Hehe… what a pity he’s not as rich as your other boyfriends. You must have made a lot of money from them, right?”
Helen’s ability to talk without any consideration for others was getting better and better.
Clarissa suddenly sneered as she watched Helen coldly.
“Helen, you’re so good at filling the blanks. I’m impressed. However, I’m sorry I’ll have to disappoint you.”
“What?”
Clarissa brushed her off with a broad smile on her face and walked past Helen towards the other side.
Helen saw Matthew holding Clarissa’s waist intimately and kissing her on the corner of her lips when she turned around.
She couldn’t believe her eyes as she watched the pair getting lovey-dovey with each other.
Clarissa turned around and deliberately gave Helen a smile before walking away.
“I’ll send you a wedding invitation soon, Helen. Don’t forget the lavish wedding gift you promised.”
With that, she left with Matthew.
As for Helen, she stood rooted to the ground, dumbstruck. Only her gaze was laced with complex emotions.
Her husband walked over. “What happened? Helen? Why aren’t you going in?”
“I’m… waiting for you.”
Helen had yet to calm down and she entered the place in a daze. Blake frowned in confusion.
She suddenly asked Blake after settling down in the private lounge. “Honey, do you know that Mr. Tyson from Tyson Corporation is getting married?”
“I don’t. Why? Where did you hear that from?”
Blake suddenly exclaimed, “Oh right, it’s that friend of yours who attended our wedding last time. She’s getting married to Mr. Tyson, right?”
Helen immediately shook her head. She denied it so as to convince herself as well.
“That’s not possible. I thought Mr. Tyson is involved in a scandal with Shermaine. Moreover, Clarissa couldn’t have been his rumored future wife. What do you think?”
“That’s just a rumor. We’re not too sure either. Where did you hear that Mr. Tyson is getting married anyway?”
Helen shook her head once again. “No, no, I’m just asking.”
However, Blake looked at his wife suspiciously. He felt certain that something must be going on since she had a look of uncertainty on her face.
Mr. Tyson is getting married?
“Helen, I don’t care what is going on between you and Ms. Quigley, but I’ve told you before and I’ll tell you again, you must see the big picture as the daughter-in-law of the Zimmers. I will be very disappointed if you ruin our chances to get closer to the Tysons just because Ms. Quigley is getting married to Mr. Tyson.”
It was meant as a threat. They had a row about it before because Helen couldn’t let go of her past. As her husband, he was unhappy that his wife was upset about a man she once loved.
He didn’t forget about it even after they had reconciled.
Helen’s face paled when she heard the threat.
She hugged Blake and told him about Clarissa.
“So Ms. Quigley is really getting married to Mr. Tyson?”
“That’s not possible.” Helen was still in denial.
“How is that not possible? She told you about it herself when Mr. Tyson was around. They must be getting married since Mr. Tyson didn’t oppose when she said it. Helen, I’m telling you, you must befriend Clarissa. She’s about to become Mrs. Tyson. You must reconcile with her, okay?”
It was an order.
Helen was in pain as Blake squeezed her hand, but all she could do was nod.
On the other hand, Jeremy and a few others were playing poker as Clarissa and Matthew walked into their private lounge.
They were accompanied by several beautiful young women, especially Yarick and Jeremy. They always came with different women.
“Yo, you guys are finally here. Come on, Clarissa, let’s play.”
Yarick invited Clarissa over to play poker merely to get a sense of superiority since Clarissa didn’t know how to play the game.
After all, he had lost several rounds of poker before they came.
Jeremy got up and moved out of the way with a woman in his arms as Matthew sat Clarissa down beside him.
His intense gaze never left her as he placed an arm around her waist. They were sitting so close she was almost sitting on his lap.
It was an eye sore to Yarick.
“Matt, don’t overdo it. Are you guys still not over your honeymoon phase? Stop triggering bachelors like us.”
“What do you mean bachelor?”
Clarissa deliberately eyed the young woman beside him.
Grinning, Yarick replied, “This is my new sister.”
“Tsk, Clarissa, I brought my sister along as well. All these women are our sisters.”
Clarissa’s lips twitched at that. What a blatant lie.
Matthew, on the other hand, smiled and said in a low voice, “Draw a card, my little sister.”
