My Child and I Married a Billionaire

Damien’s words were so harsh that his Third Uncle was left speechless for a moment.

"You... so what if that’s what I meant?"

"Your grandfather’s death is a settled fact. Shouldn’t we be handling his final affairs right now? Is what we’re thinking wrong? You’ve really been spoiled rotten by your grandfather your whole life! You’re completely lawless! How dare you use that tone with me and your Second Uncle? Do you look down on us that much?"

Damien did indeed look down on them. ’Disgraceful old men.’

They had been sheltered by their grandfather in their youth, living lives of debauchery until they were 40. In recent years, they’d been sheltered by him, Damien, ignoring the company’s business and their own wives and children at home. If anyone was spoiled, it was them.

’After being freeloaders for so long, they actually want to act tough? They have no idea what they’re really worth.’

However, he didn’t want to waste any more words on them.

With minds like his Second and Third Uncles, the more he said, the more pointless it became.

Besides, as Third Uncle had said, his grandfather’s death was a settled fact. It was useless for him to refuse to believe it.

But the news of his grandfather’s death could not be announced publicly.

"Can’t be announced? Why not?"

Hearing him pull another stunt, both Second Uncle and Third Uncle were so angry their hair was practically standing on end.

"Are you out of your mind, Damien Vaughn? You’re getting more and more ridiculous! If your grandfather hadn’t worked his fingers to the bone for most of his life, do you think anyone would even know who you are now? He doted on you the most your whole life! And in the end, you want to hold his funeral in secret? Do you really think your two uncles are dead and you’re the sole ruler of the Vaughn Family?"

This was precisely why Damien couldn’t be bothered with them.

’They only use their brains when they’re sweet-talking women or swindling money from their own family. The rest of the time, their brains are just for show.’

The company had several major projects launching this year that required large-scale financing.

It was common knowledge that once news of a patriarch’s death in a wealthy family gets out, even if there’s no internal conflict, rumors would fly. And that’s not even mentioning that Second and Third Uncle truly did have such intentions.

Announcing their grandfather’s death at this time would not only make it impossible for them to secure financing but could even cause the stock price to plummet.

There was another point. It had only been a little over three months since the death of Damien’s mother was announced. To follow that up with his grandfather’s...

After hearing his explanation, both Second and Third Uncle looked rather awkward.

They had only been thinking about getting their hands on power and money as quickly as possible. How had they overlooked these things?

But, since they had already brought it up, he had to give them a specific date, right? Even if they had to wait, they needed a timeline to ease their minds.

"Then tell us, when would be a suitable time to announce it? We can’t let your grandfather’s body grow cold while his old relatives and neighbors don’t even know, can we?"

Normally, Damien wouldn’t say something so disrespectful, but they were the Old Master’s closest relatives. They knew better than anyone how large the Old Master’s social circle had been when he was alive.

’What old relatives and neighbors? He hadn’t been in touch with them for years.’

’They didn’t care when he was alive, but suddenly they care after he’s dead? Is that necessary?’

"The specific timing of the announcement depends on the situation; it’s not something I can just casually set a date for. Second Uncle, Third Uncle, the company isn’t mine alone. You can get involved with the projects too. If you’re really that eager to announce Grandfather’s death, then you should hurry up and help make these projects happen."

Hearing this, Second Uncle was displeased again.

"What do you mean, we’re eager to announce your grandfather’s death? Damien, why are all your words so barbed today? It’s as if you think your Third Uncle and I are happy that your grandfather passed away!"

"We’re just speaking objectively! What younger family member wouldn’t want to give a deceased elder a grand, lavish funeral? Especially for someone of your grandfather’s stature! If word got out that your grandfather died and we just buried him quietly, we’d be a laughingstock!"

Damien didn’t even have to think about it.

"I didn’t realize Second Uncle cared so much about what other people think. If you’re so afraid of being laughed at, why didn’t you try to be more discreet when you were out carousing with your third, fourth, fifth, and sixth mistresses?"

"You!"

"Now that Grandfather is gone, you want to give him a grand and lavish funeral. But when he was alive and feeling unwell, I never saw you by his side to hand him a glass of water."

Finally, Damien delivered his ultimatum.

"In short, I’m calling the shots on this. The news is to be sealed, and this will be handled with discretion. That includes Second Aunt and Third Aunt; they can’t know. If one more person outside this room finds out, I’m holding the two of you responsible."

Second Uncle was about to die of anger.

If he was just being mocked for his own wrongdoings, he could swallow his pride and let it go.

But Damien wanted him to hide it even from their wives? On what grounds?

"On what grounds do you get to call all the shots? Why can’t even your Second and Third Aunts know? Damien Vaughn, don’t you think you’re getting a little full of yourself? These two bastards of unknown origin can be here, but our own family can’t? Don’t be so ridiculous!"

Damien’s gaze turned several degrees colder as he stared fixedly at him.

"Watch your words. I don’t want to hear you use terms like ’bastard’ or ’of unknown origin’ ever again."

"As for why, I’ve already explained. If Second Aunt and Third Aunt were even the slightest bit reliable, I wouldn’t be asking you to hide it from them. You should know better than I what your own wives are like. I am acting purely in our shared best interest. If you refuse to listen, then do as you please. The corporation doesn’t belong to me alone, and the losses won’t be mine alone either."

Second Uncle and Third Uncle were no match for him, especially since Damien was indeed approaching this from a practical standpoint, and every word he said was logical.

The two of them were left speechless.

"Since you’re so capable, then you can handle it yourself! We’re washing our hands of it! But let me tell you one thing, Damien. If the corporation suffers any instability under your control... Hmph!"

The two men stormed out.

Cecelia Archer quickly took Candy from Damien’s arms.

Seeing the exhaustion on his face, Cecelia grew a little worried about his condition.

"Should the two of us leave for a bit, so you can be alone with Grandfather?"

"No," Damien said, his hand resting on her shoulder.

"Cecelia, do you also think I’m being too ruthless, too calculating?"

Cecelia knew he was referring to his decision not to announce his grandfather’s death, and she didn’t think that at all.

On the contrary, she found him to be an exceptionally rational person, someone she admired in a way.

Holding a lavish, widely publicized funeral would certainly earn him the reputation of a filial son and grandson in the eyes of the public. But for him to think of the immense crisis lurking beneath the surface at a time like this, and to prioritize the livelihoods of thousands of employees, was truly remarkable.

"Not at all. You have your reasons. Grandfather was a calm and reasonable man. I believe he would not only understand you but also be proud of the choice you’ve made."

’It was good to have someone who understood him.’

Damien squeezed Cecelia’s shoulder, then wearily sat down in front of the Old Master, taking his cold hand and pressing it to his own cheek.

Thinking back on how his grandfather had doted on him his entire life, only to be, in the end, angered to death by his own words, painful tears streamed silently down his face.

"All I have left now is you and Candy. Cecelia, don’t leave me."

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