Needless to say, the boy was just a chip off the old block. It seemed that he took after his parents’ absurdity by framing Damian for snatching his toy car. In fact, he was the one who twisted the fact and pushed Damian first.
Under normal circumstances, Clarissa would choose to hold herself back from retaliating against the others’ offensive words. She knew that it was not worth it to waste time arguing with those who were unreasonable. Hence, she would rather not spoil her mood trying to talk things out with them.
Nevertheless, she was determined to get the matter resolved because of Damian. She felt that as a parent, she was responsible to show her child the difference between right and wrong. Despite being submissive at times, she would never let her son get bullied and treated unfairly.
In the meantime, the boy’s unreasonable parents were still raising their voices at them, as if their son was really the one being bullied.
Even so, as action speaks louder than words, Clarissa just remained silent and assigned Julia to notify the restaurant manager of the current situation as well as to lodge a police report.
The restaurant manager was actually aware of the dispute and was already on the spot a while ago. He had advised the boy’s parents to cool their heads off and lower their volume, but to no avail.
When he overheard that Clarissa intended to look for the restaurant manager, he approached her and said courteously, “Madam, I’m the manager.”
The restaurant manager had come across customers of all walks of life. Based on his observation, Clarissa was obviously giving off a vibe of demureness and dignity, as compared to the unreasonable couple. Therefore, he was more than willing to cater to her needs.
“Sorry for any inconveniences we have caused. I think it’s better for us to just lodge a police report. Would you mind leading us somewhere apart from the chaos here, while waiting for the arrival of the police? And one more thing. Do you have a security camera here?”
“Sure, no problem. This way, please. Besides, we have a security camera in our restaurant. Madam, don’t worry, everything is recorded clearly in the security camera footage,” he assured Clarissa.
Clarissa twitched her lips as she nodded in acknowledgment. Patting Damian’s back gently, she followed the restaurant manager to another room.
Even so, the boy’s parents were not the least bit intimidated by Clarissa’s request to lodge a police report. They just shrugged their shoulders indifferently and made their way to another room as well.
Clarissa gave the restaurant manager a thumbs-up silently as she was satisfied with his arrangement. Ah! What a relief that he arranges for us to be in two different rooms! At least my ears are not tortured by the boy’s high-pitched screaming now!
“Mrs. Tyson, do you think we need to inform Mr. Tyson about this?” Nick asked tactfully.
Clarissa pondered for a while and replied casually, “It’s alright. Don’t inform him first since he’s still at work. Let’s see how things go.”
Nick nodded and stood aside.
Meanwhile, Damian had slowly calmed down and was back to his old self again. He pouted his lips and grumbled, “Mommy, the big boy is so fierce!”
Clarissa chuckled, amused by his adorable expression and tone. She sat down and put him gently on her lap as she said softly, “Yeah, he is very fierce. When you come across the other big boys like him, don’t go near them, understand?”
Damian gazed at Clarissa and nodded obediently. As a compliment on his obedience, Clarissa planted a few kisses on his head and smiled affectionately at him.
Clarissa’s kisses managed to cheer him up again. Right that instant, the gloominess in Damian’s eyes was gone as he smiled at her. He leaned closer and kissed Clarissa on the lips as well.
After a while, the restaurant manager led two policemen into the room. Clarissa tried to make herself clear by emphasizing, “I’ll forget about how the boy pushed my son just now and choose not to take any actions on that. After all, they are just kids. However, I just can’t bear with his parents for rebuking my son and my family members. Their harshness is really offensive to me. I’m sorry that I can’t give in unless they are willing to apologize to me.”
Both the policemen’s temples started to throb. Given a choice, they wished to have the dispute settled in peace so things would not be blown out of proportion.
Upon hearing Clarissa’s words, they nodded and felt that her request was still reasonable. Next, they entered the other room and tried to convey Clarissa’s message to them. Nevertheless, the couple seemed to be against her request.
Perking up her ears, Clarissa could hear bickering noises from the next room. She pursed her lips and scoffed silently. Pfft! It seems that the haughty couple won’t apologize to us!
“Nick, just go over and tell the policemen not to waste their time advising the adamant couple. Just carry on with legal proceedings.”
Nick nodded in acknowledgment and went over to deliver Clarissa’s message at once. Meanwhile, Clarissa lowered her head and told Damian jokingly, “Damian, let’s go to the police station!”
Blinking his eyes, Damian asked excitedly, “Mommy, are we going there in a police car? I like police cars!”
Clarissa replied in embarrassment, “No, we are going by ourselves. It’s not that nice to be seated in a police car.”
Damian asked in disappointment, “Why can’t we go by a police car? The policemen can bring us there in their car, right?”
“Only those who have made mistakes will be taken by the policemen in their cars. We can’t go in one as we didn’t do anything wrong. Damian, did you make any mistakes?”
Damian shook his head and replied instantly, “No, I’m a good boy. I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Alright, you’re an obedient boy. So, we are not going there by a police car.” Clarissa smiled in relief.
Damian lunged toward her and wrapped his arms tightly around her as if he was afraid to be taken by the policemen at any moment. Clarissa smiled again and touched lightly on the tip of his tiny nose lovingly.
When Clarissa stepped out of the room with Damian, the boy stepped out of the other room with his parents as well. The moment the boy’s father saw Clarissa, a look of resentment flickered in his eyes. If the policemen did not stop him, he would have dashed toward her and throw punches at her.
“What are you doing? How dare you even think of striking others in front of us! You are not afraid of being charged with another offense?” The man stiffened when one of the policemen glared and bellowed at him.
Even though he did not dare to dash toward Clarissa, he was still rebuking non-stop. He only zipped his mouth reluctantly when one of the policemen shot him a warning glance.
The woman who was dressed in branded clothing sneered, “Huh! You’re just bullying us since we are not from D City, aren’t you? Let me tell you, we happen to know someone from a prominent family in D City. Thus, never look down on us and bully us just because we are not local.”
Clarissa could not resist rolling her eyes at her words. She sounds insolent as if she’s a mafia boss, and D City is her territory!
Without hesitation, both parties were instructed to head for the police station. It seemed to be the only way since they could not reach a settlement. The policemen were speechless as one side was being unreasonable, while the other side insisted to go on with the legal proceedings. In their opinion, the simple argument could actually be sorted out if either party was willing to bear with it or apologize.
Not long after they reached the police station, Matthew also emerged together with Hector.
The moment he knew that both Carissa and Damian were at the police station due to a dispute, he dragged Hector along and sped all the way there. After ensuring that both his wife and son were safe and sound, he heaved a sigh of relief.
“Daddy!” Damian’s face lit up at Matthew’s sudden appearance. He lunged toward him at once and hugged him tightly. Feeling secure in Matthew’s embrace, he continued to gaze at the policemen in the police station curiously.
Damian’s impressive good look and obedience stole the limelight in the police station. All the policemen were happy to see such an adorable child. They huddled over him to pinch him gently and tease him.
A few policewomen could not resist Damian’s great charm and even share their snacks with him. In return, Damian, who was on cloud nine at the sight of various types of snacks, pleased them with flatteries and charming smiles.
My goodness! My son really has amazing socializing skills! I won’t be surprised if he’s surrounded by girls when he grows up!
Hector managed to step in to sort things out for them. After that, both Clarissa and Matthew left the police station without sparing another glance at the couple and their son.
In the car, Clarissa turned back to get a glimpse of the police station and burst into laughter.
Damian’s attention was fully focused on the snacks given by the policewomen a while ago. He was busy munching like a hamster and did not even turn to look at his mother.
“It suddenly crossed my mind that we have gone through this numerous times. Do you still remember how many times you had actually come to fetch me from the police station before this?” Clarissa explained jokingly to Matthew when he glanced at her.
All of a sudden, snippets of how he fetched her from the police station previously flashed across his eyes. He turned to look at Clarissa again with his smiling eyes as if he was trying to stifle a laugh at the moment.
Clarissa twitched her lips and added, “Anyway, I didn’t stir up trouble. I’m always the victim. Don’t look at me like that!”
Matthew only shook his head and chuckled. He was relieved that Damian was not affected by the commotion earlier.
Nonetheless, Clarissa tended to have new discoveries when she was back to Zen Highlands. Hector gave her a call and described to her how the matter was solved at the police station.
“Madam Bowen appeared unexpectedly and turned out to be that somebody in D City, as mentioned by the boy’s parents. The couple had their noses in the air when she reached the police station just now. Upon leaving the police station, I overheard that they seemed to have dirt on her, yet I have no idea what it’s about. I’ll need an investigation to get a clue.”
Hector was aware of Hilary and Clarissa’s relationship. Hence, he felt that he should update her right away on the matter.
“It’s alright. You don’t need to have a further investigation on that. I’m not keen on knowing about anything related to them. Just bear in mind not to let her find out that it’s me. Don’t let the boy’s parents find out about my relationship with her as well.”
Clarissa’s mind drifted into contemplation after hanging up the phone. When she came to herself again and turned, Damian had already dozed off in Matthew’s arms. Matthew just stayed still so as not to wake him up.
Clarissa chuckled as she walked toward them. “Just send him back to the bedroom. You still need to get back to work.”
“It’s alright. I’m not going back to the office this afternoon.” He lowered his head and gazed lovingly at Damian as he stroked his head gently.
Clarissa teased him, “I know you are blessed to be a first-time dad at your age, and really love him so much. Take it easy and don’t be overprotective of him. No matter how much you love him, you are not supposed to spoil him!”
Matthew raised his eyebrows instinctively. The first-time dad at my age? It sounds interesting in a way! My son is indeed an adorable boy. I don’t think anyone would have the heart to even raise their voice at him!
Matthew was an assertive man at work, yet he spontaneously switched to a different mode whenever he was at home. No matter how frustrated he was at work, Damian had the amazing power to appease him and melt his heart with his adorable smile.
Oh! My Damian is undoubtedly the most adorable kid in the world.
Matthew’s lips curved into a proud smile as he replied softly, “Clare, I love him so much as he looks a lot like you. He’s just like a mini version of you! Don’t worry, he would not be spoiled rotten by me. Our Damian is such a bright boy and he takes after us a lot.”
Clarissa was at a loss for words at his complacence. It seems anything related to Damian appeared to be perfect for him. Fine, I will just play my role as a strict mother, and let him continue to be a proud first-time dad who loves the apple of his eye dearly.
