Unable to go for the shoot, Clarissa felt defeated when she heard from Ryler that the production was progressing smoothly.
“Ryler, I guess this movie actually belongs to Director Yates. We announced to the public that I’m the director, but in fact, Director Yates is the one who shoots the movie. During the premiere, it’ll be deceitful to claim that I’m the director. Yet, filming such a simple romance movie is demeaning to Director Yates. I really feel sorry for him.”
Ryler let out a hearty laugh. “So what? Director Yates is here to help you out. Even if you’re shooting the movie, he’ll still influence you to do it in his way. In the end, the movie will be the same no matter who directs the filming.”
“But I didn’t direct the filming.”
Though I kick-started the filming, Director Yates took over and shot most of the movie himself. Just like before, I’m only the director in name.
Out of the blue, Roxanne came into sight, asking eagerly, “Clarissa, can I talk to Damian please?”
Her twinkling eyes were fixed on the boy with great anticipation.
When she approached Ryler, the two were rather close to one another, so the man tilted his body back slightly.
Roxanne has always been fearful and on her toes around me, unless she was on set. Most of the time, she seems awkward, nervous and even a little bashful. But now she comes over directly and ignores me only because of Damian. Undeniably, the little one is adorable.
Staring at the exhilarated woman who was only an inch away from him, Ryler was puzzled.
Comparing Damian and me, who is more lovable?
In the meantime, Damian joined the video call and greeted Ryler and Roxanne. Holding the phone, he chatted with the two for a long while.
After hanging up the phone, Roxanne still appeared reluctant, as if reminiscing something.
Later, she finally recollected herself. Only then did she realize that she had one hand on Ryler’s shoulder while leaning against his back. Her face was right beside his, as though she was about to rest her head on his shoulder and nuzzle his neck…
How intimate…
Instantly, this thought flashed across her mind.
Instinctively, she jumped to her feet and dashed away at lightning speed before Ryler could see her expression.
Her swift movement reminded him of those race cars on the track, stirring up a cloud of dust as it whizzed away.
“Haha…”
After a moment of silence, Ryler’s chuckled echoed through the air.
However, none of the other crew members noticed their previous interactions. All they saw was Roxanne whizzing past in a hurry, and they had no idea why Ryler was laughing.
What just happened? Did we miss something?
Recently, Shermaine had gotten a few supporting roles, which had only minimal parts.
After mingling with several production crews, her personality and the way she dealt with people did a one-eighty.
Though the woman used to be an award-winning actress, she was now an extra. No matter how others ridiculed her, she still played every role the best she could.
Gradually, everyone could no longer bear to oppress her because of her humility.
Those in the showbiz slowly got to know about her newfound personality as well.
Most people were forgetful and rarely remembered the things in the past. In fact, they cared more about the present, and had long forgotten Shermaine’s old self, especially after the incident between Clarissa and Hilary.
To be exact, Shermaine was imprisoned earlier due to the grudges between her and Clarissa.
Now that the latter was involved in a murder scandal, it raised some people’s suspicion that Shermaine had been wrongly accused back then.
With Matthew’s power, Clarissa sent her rival into jail. She even refused to let her own mother off the hook. Shermaine should be grateful that she was still alive.
As a result, many netizens stood up for Shermaine on social media.
“Shermaine used to be an award-winning actress. She was in her prime in terms of her career and love life. As soon as Clarissa Quigley appeared, she was accused of being quick-tempered, arrogant, and even hired an assassin for murder. Why didn’t she do the same previously? Mr. Tyson was surrounded by countless women. Shermaine can’t be murdering every single one of them.”
“Are you implying that Ms. Smallwood was falsely accused by a wealthy wife? The case went through a court trial. Are you doubting our jury system?”
“No, I didn’t say that. There are wicked things that are beyond the imagination of ordinary people like us, but none of us says a word, because we’re afraid of being investigated. Yet, the existence of such wicked things is undeniable.”
“I see. You’re right. Even her biological mother has kicked the bucket. The police haven’t revealed the cause of her death. There must be something fishy going on, but nobody dares to expose the truth because of her influence and power. Up till now, we don’t have the nerve to pinpoint things. Ordinary people like us can’t afford to receive a lawyer’s latter.”
“I hate Clarissa. After marriage, she put on a façade and pretends to be a talented woman. How disgusting!”
“Oh my God! You’re so daring. Be prepared to get a call from her lawyer tonight.”
“Hmph! Bring it on! I’m not afraid of her. I’ve several lawyers with me anyway. She’s such a vixen!”
The netizen continued spewing insults on the Internet. One could imagine her shrewish expression only by reading her comment.
The netizens were convinced that Clarissa was a murderer. Reading their comments, Shermaine was reminded of her past.
Sigh… But it’s nowhere close to what I went through then. Not only did they curse me vehemently, I was also a public enemy. Besides, I had to attend a court trial.
Other than her parents, not a single person gave her a helping hand.
Clarissa is much luckier. As long as she doesn’t step out of her house or go online, she’ll never know how much the public despises her, and she won’t need to go through a court trial as well. On top of that, she’s surrounded by supportive people who have her back and stood up for her. Her friends have also spoken up for her on the Internet.
With a faint smile, Shermaine shook her head and mumbled repeatedly, “What a blessed life she has…”
When Shermaine got out of her car and stepped into her house, her parents greeted her with smiles. “Shermaine, you’re back.”
The corner of her lips curled up at the sight of grins on her parents’ faces. As she sat beside her mother, the latter held her hand. “Mom, Dad, why are you so happy today? Is there any great news?”
“Oh, yes, there is. Seeing Clarissa go downhill makes me over the moon.”
Shermaine smiled. “Yeah, I know about that too, but this rumor hasn’t been confirmed, so we shouldn’t jump to a conclusion so soon.”
“What do you mean by jumping to a conclusion? Anyway, that’s not important. We’re happy as long as she’s doomed.”
Kayla was rarely as cheerful as she was today. Usually, she was an emotional woman who wept easily. Her unusually joyous mood delighted James too.
As the mother-and-daughter duo chatted away, Kayla added, “She has really taken after her mother, Hilary. I just got to know that Hilary was the flirtatious woman who tried seducing your dad years ago. Now her daughter has inherited her despicable behavior…”
“Mom, do you two know each other?”
Her comments took Shermaine by surprise.
James’s brows knitted together. “Why are you talking about this in front of Shermaine? Let’s drop this subject.”
James seemed reluctant to talk about it, but Kayla was not done badmouthing Hilary and Clarissa.
“Why can’t I talk about it? I’m only telling the truth. Shermaine, do you know how shameless Hilary was? She’s in the same delivery room with me, but she tried to seduce your dad because of his wealth and good looks. Her husband was a useless piece of junk! Despite knowing that his wife was promiscuous, he still remained positive. What a fool!”
The things in the past were etched on Kayla’s mind, and she couldn’t stop humiliating Hilary.
“She made me so mad that I almost gave birth prematurely. How shameless! Even her daughter snatched your man from you. She’s a chip off the old block.”
In the end, she cussed through gritted teeth, “Hilary is going to reap what she sows, and the same goes for her daughter.”
Holding her mother’s hand, Shermaine said with a smile, “Mom, it’s all in the past. A person’s future depends on his own actions, but not on fate.”
“Yes, what Shermaine said is right.”
James nodded in agreement. “Children take after their parents because of the influence the parents had on them. Personalities cannot be inherited…”
“Hmph! So what? Aren’t the two of them cast in the same mould now? They’re equally contemptible.”
“Alright, let’s stop talking about this. Didn’t you say that you want to visit your mom?”
James tried to divert his wife’s attention.
Kayla furrowed her brows. “Yeah, I really want to see my mom, but I can’t stand looking at Sandra’s annoying face. She’s getting too much recently. We’re one family, yet she sided with that vixen! What’s wrong with her? Even Jacque does the same. I really don’t get it…:
Shermaine laughed. “Perhaps Uncle Jacque did it for the sake of the Tysons. After all, the Wynters and the Tysons are related.”
“Shermaine is right. Jacque suffered losses when he fell out with the Tysons. We might not know much, but he should think for himself first. He can benefit from a close relationship with the Tysons.”
“Hmph! Men just can’t stop thinking about benefits. Don’t you take your family into consideration?” Kayla grumbled with a displeased face.
James and his daughter exchanged glances and chuckled.
