Chapter 12 Strange Arrangement

• Clarissa was taken aback.
• Seriously? He wants to come to my house late at night? Something seems strange.
• Even if he's an elder I should respect, we aren't close enough for me to invite him to my house, right?
• “Uncle Matthew, I've just moved in today. The house is messy. Why don't...”
• As Clarissa trailed off, trying to make up an excuse, the smile on Matthew's lips disappeared.
• “Okay. You can go now. Let's go!”
• As the window rolled up, Clarissa watched the car drove off into the night.
• When the vehicle disappeared from sight, she patted her chest and entered the building.
• Was he upset because I refused to invite him into my house?
• Should I invite him another time?
• After all, I got to live here thanks to him. Hmm, I should extend an invitation next time.
• Clarissa made up her mind. I should prepare some nice snacks for Uncle Matthew, too.
• When the investor Clarissa met previously, Wilfred Knight, asked to meet her again, she was caught by surprise.
• Of course, she didn't reject his invitation as it would be a bad idea to offend an investor. She called her chief editor, Jane, and asked the latter to join her.
• Jane agreed without hesitation. But when Clarissa arrived at the restaurant, Jane was nowhere to be seen.
• Wilfred was a middle-aged man. He wasn't that good-looking, but he seemed like a kind man.
• “Clarissa, Jane told me something held her up. She won't be here.”
• Immediately, Clarissa was on guard.
• Wilfred saw through her discomfort and flashed a smile.
• “Clarissa, don't be afraid. I'm interested in you, but I won't force you to do anything. Let's start by being friends, alright?”
• Clarissa gave a half-smile as he added, “It's just dinner. I have some opinions regarding the script. Can you hear them out?”
• “Sure, Mr. Knight. Go ahead.”
• Clarissa's reply was polite but firm.
• Wilfred was tickled by her reply. However, he prided himself on being a patient man.
• This young lady is pretty and talented. She is capable of earning an income, so there's nothing I can tempt her with. It must be hard to gain her. I need to be patient.
• During dinner, Wilfred gave her some valuable opinions that were of great help to her. She was startled but accepted his suggestions humbly.
• Slowly, Clarissa let her guard down.
• After dinner, Wilfred offered to give her a ride home. Clarissa rejected him politely as they stepped out.
• “Mr. Tyson?”
• Suddenly, Wilfred's bewildered voice rang out. Stunned, Clarissa spun on her heels and saw Matthew.
• He wasn't alone today. There was a gorgeous lady by his side.
• Matthew inclined his head. He was clad in a black suit, which made him both regal and overwhelming.
• Wilfred's expression showed he was in awe of this big shot.
• Deep down, Clarissa was scoffing. When the man's icy gaze swept across her, she wondered if she should greet him when Wilfred spoke.
• “Mr. Tyson, this is Clarissa, my girlfriend.”
• “Eh?” Clarissa blurted out. “No, I'm not—”
• “Well, I'm still wooing her.”
• Clarissa was rendered speechless by Wilfred's words.
• Meanwhile, Matthew was glancing at her as he lifted his eyebrows. Strangely, she felt a shiver running down her spine.
• Nevertheless, he strode past them without a word. His female partner scurried after him.
• Wilfred hurriedly caught up to them, leaving Clarissa alone.
• Clarissa took the opportunity to leave.
• She thought she'd never meet Matthew again.
• Clarissa holed up at home for a few days to edit her script. This day, she had just ordered delivery food when Matthew's call arrived.
• It was an unknown number, so Clarissa was cautious enough to ask who it was.
• “It's me. Come to XX Restaurant now.”
• He cut the line promptly.
• It took Clarissa a while to realize it was Matthew. No one else would order her that way.
• She dithered for some time before changing her clothes and went to the restaurant.
• It was the same restaurant and private room as before. Besides Matthew, another young man was present.
• Clarissa started cursing silently. A faint smile played across her lips as she took her seat.
• Matthew glanced at her briefly before he started the introduction.
• “Hank Pickell, sales manager at Tyson Corporation. This is Clarissa Quigley.”
• “Hello, Mr. Pickell.”
• “Hello, Ms. Quigley.”
• After greeting each other awkwardly, a heavy silence hung in the air. Hank belatedly realized what his boss wanted of him, but he wasn't sure.
• Hence, he paid full attention to Matthew.
• Dinner was an awkward affair. In the end, Hank left without asking for Clarissa's contact number.
• To be honest, Clarissa was frustrated.
• I had no intention of being introduced to men through blind dates, but Matthew insisted on doing so without gaining my approval. Fine, he could do so. But why was he present the whole time?
• What does he want?