My Child and I Married a Billionaire

Ryan used the excuse of his mother’s upcoming birthday to go with Cecelia and her group to a clothing district, claiming he wanted to buy her some affordable clothes since she always chided him for his expensive gifts.

Damien Vaughn waited in his car by the entrance while the other three shopped inside. They wandered about for the better part of the day, and even though he had barely exchanged a few words with Cecelia, he felt inexplicably more relaxed.

When they were done shopping, the two groups went their separate ways. Ryan asked Damien if he still wanted to go to the office, but he said no.

’It’s rare for me to be in such a good mood. I’ll go home and spend some time with Grandpa.’

But when he got home, he was surprised to see that Gwen Morgan was also there.

In the living room, several people were taking measurements for his grandfather and Gwen, apparently for custom-made formalwear.

Gwen Morgan’s face lit up when she saw him, and she hurried over.

"Damien, what are you doing home so early? Second Aunt said Carter is getting engaged! The day after tomorrow, our whole family is going out for dinner with his fiancée’s parents. Grandpa is so happy he called tailors over to make us formalwear. He was just about to call you home. Your timing is perfect! Come on, let’s get you measured too."

’He hadn’t expected Carter Vaughn to suddenly decide to settle down.’

’Still, that’s his engagement. What does it have to do with me?’

"You and Grandpa can go. There’s no need for that many people. I’m not getting anything made."

"You’re part of this family, and you’re his older brother. How can you not go? And even if you don’t, what’s the harm in getting another suit made? Come on, get measured."

Damien hated her tugging at his arm. "Don’t touch me. When I say I’m not getting one made, I mean it."

Gwen Morgan sullenly let go of him.

"What? Their craftsmanship isn’t good enough for you? To be honest, I don’t think much of it either. It’s too conventional, no flair at all. I’ve heard that the formalwear Zeke Walton designs is incredibly stylish. I’ve always wanted to have him make something for me, but I heard he had a huge fight with his family recently. By the way, have you heard? It’s all over our social circle. They’re saying he ran off to become a food delivery driver or something. What’s the real story?"

’Damien was surprised that even Gwen Morgan had heard about it. News traveled fast.’

’These people seemed so glamorous and acted all high and mighty, but in reality, they just spent their days gossiping and waiting for others to fail. It was pathetic.’

"I’m not Zeke Walton, so how would I know what happened? You seem so well-informed, why are you even asking me?"

Gwen said, "I was just trying to make small talk. What’s with the attitude? I’m just concerned about him, that’s all."

"If you’re so concerned, you should ask him directly."

Overhearing Damien’s cold remarks to Gwen, his grandfather walked over with a grim expression.

"Why are you always so antagonistic? Can’t you speak properly? Gwen was just looking out for you! You will be at that dinner with the two families the day after tomorrow. I’ve already made the reservation."

Damien glanced at his grandfather but didn’t argue. He had zero interest in this incredibly tedious affair; he could already picture the whole scene without even being there. He turned and went straight to his study.

He worked until just after 10 p.m., when a new email landed in his inbox. It was from Zeke Walton.

’He works fast.’

Damien opened the investment proposal for the fruit business. A quick glance was all it took for him to understand.

’No wonder it was done so quickly. Cecelia Archer helped him.’

He could recognize her writing style anywhere.

In truth, there was no need for such a formal proposal. Damien had already assumed the project had potential; he just wanted to gauge the extent of Zeke’s determination.

’This gave him the perfect excuse to add Cecelia as a contact.’

He found Cecelia in the group chat for the international airport project and sent a friend request.

About half an hour later, Cecelia accepted and sent a polite message asking what he needed.

Damien: "The project is approved. I’ll invest 5 million."

Cecelia: "Really? That was so fast! President Vaughn, you have a great eye and you’re so decisive. You really know how to make things happen!"

"Cut the flattery. I’ve agreed, but I have a condition. Tomorrow, you and Zeke will go to the fruit’s source of origin for an inspection and some basic training. You’ll be there for a few days."

Cecelia: "Huh?"

"What ’huh’? You can’t just take my 5 million and go fooling around with a head full of fantasies and zero practical knowledge, can you? Do you two really think my money grows on trees?"

Cecelia knew he had a point, but she didn’t know anything about it. ’And I’m not even involved in this project, so why do I have to go with Zeke?’

"I’m afraid I won’t be able to get away from my work at the airport..."

"Then forget it. I take back what I said. You’re the one who pitched this investment to me, and you’re the one who helped Zeke with the proposal. He just has a half-baked idea and a tendency to be reckless and impulsive. I don’t trust him with the capital by himself."

Cecelia: "..."

’First you say yes, then you say no. You seem pretty reckless and impulsive yourself.’

"Then give me some time. I need to arrange things at work first."

"I am telling you in advance, am I not? You have several hours until tomorrow morning. That’s plenty of time to make arrangements. Be here with Zeke to meet me at 8 a.m. tomorrow."

With that, he sent her an address.

Cecelia was confused. ’Why do we have to meet up with him? Don’t tell me he’s going too?’

"I don’t quite understand what you mean, President Vaughn."

Damien: "I have a business partnership to discuss over there. And since you’re a complete novice when it comes to fruit, I’m not comfortable just tossing the funds to you two. I’ll tag along and see for myself. What, you have a problem with that?"

’Even if she did have a problem with it, she wouldn’t dare say so.’

’The one with the money calls the shots. Besides, he had other work to do there; this was just on his way.’

"Not at all. It’s an honor to work with you, President Vaughn."

"Good. Eight a.m. tomorrow. Be one second late, and I’ll pull the funding."

After ending the chat with him, Cecelia quickly called Amina’s cell phone.

’Good thing she’d gotten her contact info earlier today.’

She explained the situation to Zeke, who had no problem with the plan.

"It’s just... I don’t have my ID with me, which makes traveling a hassle. I can’t take a plane or a high-speed train."

"Have you considered going back to get your ID? Even if you had a falling out with your dad, you can’t just abandon essential documents, can you?"

"He just humiliated me yesterday. I don’t want to go back and face him so soon. If we can’t take a plane or a train, we can drive."

Cecelia understood. ’He could always go back after his fruit business started showing some promise.’

Damien had just washed up and gotten into bed when another message came from Cecelia.

"Are you asleep?"

He knew she didn’t mean anything by it, but seeing those three words appear under her name in the dead of night still made him feel a strange flutter in his chest.

"If you have something to say, just say it."

’Knew it,’ Cecelia thought, and quickly typed her reply.

"Zeke doesn’t have his ID, so we’ll need to drive tomorrow."

He had already thought of that. "Why else do you think I told you two to meet me? You’re taking my car."

At eight o’clock the next morning, Cecelia and Zeke arrived punctually at the location Damien had specified.

A black Bentley was parked there silently. After tossing their suitcases into the trunk, they both reached for the rear door handles at the same time.

To their surprise, Damien was sitting in the back seat with a placid expression. The driver’s seat was empty.

"President Vaughn..."

Damien shot Cecelia a glance.

"I’m already letting you use the car for free. Did you expect me to be your chauffeur for free, too?"

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