Shermaine was aware that her movie wasn’t doing very well. In contrast, the box office for Clarissa’s movie was skyrocketing, causing her to be filled with frustration.
Her original intention was to infuriate Clarissa. Before her movie was screened, the media was already placing both movies in comparison. With Shermaine’s help, they managed to dig out details of their messy relationship from the past.
Feeling desperate, Shermaine tried all ways to garner the public’s attention. The content no longer mattered.
Since she couldn’t get Gary to kill Clarissa’s baby, she figured she could cause a miscarriage by angering her instead.
Although it wasn’t a realistic idea, Shermaine didn’t care. All she wanted to do was mess with Clarissa.
Unfortunately, Clarissa didn’t respond at all. It felt as if she didn’t care about whatever Shermaine did.
Consequently, Shermaine felt that her plan had backfired and she was the one who ended up enraged.
When the movie’s box office receipts kept increasing, and the pregnant Clarissa was spotted at the cinema with an attentive Matthew, Shermaine’s fury intensified further.
In front of others, Shermaine still kept up her humble façade. But in private, she was already filled with jealous rage.
“Ms. Smallwood, the box office receipts for Clarissa & Matthew has exceeded two hundred million. Also, these are the latest reviews…”
When the assistant saw Shermaine’s gloomy expression, she didn’t dare say much as she handed the documents to Shermaine.
Despite the fact that Shermaine was cordial to everyone including her, the assistant could feel the darkness in Shermaine when she wasn’t smiling. Even when she did, the assistant could feel that it wasn’t sincere.
When she brought up her thoughts with her other colleagues, they felt that she was just imagining things.
Nevertheless, she never did dare make eye contact with Shermaine or even stay a second longer with her.
When the assistant turned to leave, Shermaine called out to her, “Wait a moment.”
The assistant trembled for a second before turning around to be greeted with a smile from Shermaine.
“I’m sorry. I’m not in a good mood today. Did I scare you?”
“No, Ms. Smallwood.”
“I’m sure you’re aware that our movie has made a loss. So, I can barely smile.”
Smiling wryly, the assistant was stumped as she didn’t know what to say.
“Alright now, off you go.”
Only then did the assistant heave a sigh of relief and quickly left the office.
Looking out her window, Shermaine couldn’t help but laugh when she saw her assistant looking on edge despite having returned to her seat.
The next day, when Shermaine came into the office, the assistant had gone back to her hometown for something urgent.
“Ms. Smallwood, your assistant just called and said that she has to take urgent leave because someone in the family is sick. But later on, she told me that she wants to quit. I’m sorry for the way she’s behaving. It’s very unbecoming of her…”
Shermaine shook her head. “I understand. Everyone has their own problems. I’ll just get a new assistant instead. Anyway, since her family is facing trouble, why don’t you see how you can help her? Let’s transfer an additional month’s salary into her card.”
“Ms. Smallwood, you’re really generous.”
“It’s nothing. Now, get back to work…”
When Shermaine returned to her office and closed the door, she could still hear her subordinates singing her praises.
“Ms. Smallwood is both kind and considerate. She has never treated any of her subordinates badly. I wonder why her assistant quit. What a foolish girl…”
“She has something urgent after all. But, losing a wonderful boss like Ms. Smallwood is her loss.”
“That’s true. This is the best place I have ever worked in. Ms. Smallwood is the best.”
Despite the comments being mostly flattery, Shermaine still enjoyed hearing them.
She loved it when they acknowledged her as a righteous person and praised her for it.
The moment she took a seat, Shermaine received a call.
“Hey Babe, did you miss me?”
Closing the blinds, Shermaine turned and entered her break room. She whispered, “I have no time to miss you.”
“Tsk. You really are heartless. Babe, I have just disposed of your assistant. Is this how you thank me?”
“Get straight to the point, or I’m ending the call.”
“Doesn’t missing you count? Tonight, I’ll see you at the usual place.”
Shermaine wanted to turn him down but changed her mind at the last minute.
That night, the moment Shermaine entered their usual joint, she was pinned against the door by Gary. There, they made love passionately.
After that, they took a shower and continued in bed.
Once their session ended, Shermaine leaned on the headboard, sharing a smoke with Gary. Both of them just lay there in silence.
After a while, Shermaine remarked, “You told me that you would exact revenge on my behalf. Why haven’t you done anything over the last few months? Have you forgotten about it?”
Laughing, Gary hugged Shermaine as he continued to fondle her body.
“Of course not, Babe. Before the old man died, he told me to take care of you. Of course I’ll keep my word. Anyway, don’t worry. Isn’t it just about revenge?”
“In that case, have you done anything?”
“Not yet. But, it’s important that we have a strategy as we can’t underestimate Matthew. Also, Clarissa hides at home all day long which makes her difficult to reach. Hence, I’m waiting for an opportunity for which we can come up with a better plan.”
“What do you have in mind?”
Gary laughed deviously before whispering in Shermaine’s ear.
Shermaine raised her eyebrow. “That means I still have to wait?”
“What other choice do you have? That’s the only window when you can do something.”
After giving it some thought, Shermaine stubbed her cigarette in frustration. Pushing Gary away, she got out of bed and headed to the bathroom. Standing in the shower, her mind contemplated Gary’s plan.
Perhaps, that’s the only way. Nevertheless, it’s the best option.
Shermaine smirked.
This must be fate!
Suddenly, Gary hugged her from behind and pressed her against the wall. “Babe, am I good to you or what?”
Tilting her head, Shermaine sneered, “It depends.”
“Haha… Of course.”
Without further ado, his body sprang into action while Shermaine endured his advances with an indifferent expression.
It wasn’t until he was satisfied that Shermaine could shower and get dressed properly. After that, she left the hotel.
Given that the movie’s box office receipts totaled hundreds of millions and the movie reviews were decent, Clarissa felt extremely satisfied especially since the movie’s budget was only ten million.
As she was the producer with Tyson Corporation as the largest investor, she knew she had to share the spoils with the main actors.
Hence, after discussing with Yael, she decided to give all of them a big bonus.
Consequently, she was also obliged to attend the celebratory dinner.
Worried that history would repeat itself if they went out, Matthew decided to organize the celebration at Zen Highlands instead.
Although many guests were expected and much preparation was needed, it wasn’t a problem for Zen Highlands due to its massive capacity.
Consequently, Mrs. Lawson was in-charge of engaging a caterer from a hotel to professionally manage the event. Hence, there was nothing for Clarissa to worry about other than enjoying herself.
In the evening, many of their friends arrived. Among them were Mr. Ferguson and Luke.
Luke had been invited by Yael. Hence, no one dared to chase him out. As long as he didn’t cause any trouble, Clarissa would tolerate his presence.
When Luke entered with Mr. Ferguson, he remarked candidly at Clarissa, “Why have you put on so much weight? You look really ugly.”
Squirming her lips, Clarissa snorted and ignored him. When she saw Roxanne standing behind him, she went over to welcome her.
The moment Roxanne saw Clarissa, she was intrigued by her pregnant belly.
“Clarissa, it’s really mysterious.”
Clarissa chuckled. “Is it? When you get married and have kids, you will realize that other than it being a wonder, it can also be tormenting.”
Roxanne was astounded. After both of them went into the house to chat, more guests started to arrive. Everyone was amazed at how big her tummy was. Some were filled with curiosity while others were filled with fear…
“Clarissa, is it a girl?”
Clarissa shook her head. “I don’t know as we want to keep it a surprise. Furthermore, I hope that it’s not a son as Matthew has been dreaming of having a daughter. I’m worried that he won’t treat him well if it ends up being a boy.”
Everyone laughed. “Wouldn’t he be disappointed if it was a boy?”
“That’s different. Anyway, I’ll make sure he loves his son just as much.”
“Mommy, it’s not a boy. It’s a girl… a girl…”
Suddenly, Damian came out of nowhere to correct Clarissa.
Obviously, he refused to accept the fact that he was going to get a brother instead of a sister.
“Hahaha… Damian. What if it’s a boy?”
“In that case, we’ll send him away.”
“Hehe…”
Clarissa quickly corrected him. “Damian, regardless of whether it’s a boy or girl, it’s part of our family and you will need to love it. It will feel sad if you don’t, just like all those children who don’t have any parents.”
After pondering for a long while, Damian seemed to have resigned himself to reality.
“I understand, Mommy. I will love my sibling no matter the gender. But, I still prefer to have a sister.”
“Mmm-hmm. Hopefully.”
After that, he suddenly turned around and appeared with a candle in his hand. After lighting it, he made a wish.
“I wish that Mommy will bear a girl, instead of a boy.”
