My Child and I Married a Billionaire

Chapter 116: Chapter 116: Dad, You’re So Amazing

We’re all respectable people here. Betting money or material goods is out of the question.

Damien Vaughn thought for a moment. "The loser has to post on their social media and advertise the winner’s company. Not too much to ask, right?"

It was still anyone’s race, and anyone’s guess who would be facing the consequences.

Shane Grant’s expression remained impassive. "You’re on."

A staff member went to fetch a horse for Shane Grant. Cecelia Archer glanced worriedly from Damien Vaughn to Shane Grant.

"We’re just riding for fun, that’s all. Why turn it into a competition? Mr. Grant, your leg just flared up yesterday. What if today..."

He’d told her yesterday that Annie wasn’t doing well, and she had rushed over today to comfort him. The fact that she was also constantly concerned about his leg injury warmed Shane Grant’s heart.

He could sense that he held a place in Cecelia Archer’s heart.

He smiled. "It’s fine. It’s not as serious as you think."

"You shouldn’t joke about this. What if..."

Damien Vaughn really hated seeing Cecelia like this. ƒгeewebnovёl.com

’Who does she think her man is, anyway?’

’If we’re talking about risk, I’m taking one too, aren’t I? How come I don’t see her worrying about me at all?’

"We’re men, aren’t we? It’s just a horse race, not a battlefield. Is all this drama necessary? Or... is your leg really that bad, Grant? If you can’t handle it, we can just call the whole thing off."

The horse was led out. Gazing at its beautiful coat, Shane Grant spoke nonchalantly.

"Is Zeke Walton participating?"

Zeke Walton saw the subtle competition between the two of them crystal clear.

To be honest, he wasn’t happy about it either.

’If we’re here to have fun, then let’s just have fun. What’s with all this competition?’

’There are so many women in Veridia. Without Cecelia Archer, they could find someone else. Was it really necessary to fight tooth and nail over her?’

’Sure, I’m a guy, but I’m a pretty great catch too! Other than not being able to have kids, how am I not better than Cecelia Archer? Why can’t they ever look my way?’

"I’m here to have fun. I’m not getting into some competition. It’s boring."

The pouty way he spoke had a certain coquettish charm. Shane Grant looked at his puffed-out cheeks and couldn’t help but find it amusing.

"Zeke, do you have a sister?"

Zeke Walton’s heart jolted. "What for? Are you trying to set my sister up?"

"I wouldn’t be against it. You’re so pretty, your sister must be gorgeous."

For a moment, Zeke Walton didn’t know if he was being complimented or insulted, which only made him angrier.

"Sorry, I don’t. I’d hate to disappoint you."

"Haha." Shane Grant couldn’t help but reach out and pinch his cheek. "It’s probably for the best that you don’t."

With that, the two men went to change into their gear. After putting on all the protective padding, they brought some for Candy and Annie as well.

"Ten laps. First one to the finish line with their kid wins."

The two children settled gleefully into their laps, and they rode the horses to the starting line.

Cecelia Archer’s heart was pounding.

It wasn’t that she distrusted Damien Vaughn’s skill, but the children were so young, and Candy, in particular, was so fragile.

But Candy showed no fear. She was like a little warrior princess heading into battle. When the starting gun fired, she and Damien Vaughn shot forward, her face alight with excitement.

Damien Vaughn looked incredibly dashing on horseback. It was the first time Cecelia Archer had ever seen him so full of vibrant, heroic energy.

It was a different kind of charisma from his usual aristocratic air. Astride the horse, his hands were strong and sinewy, his long legs straight and impeccable, and his face was set in an expression of resolute confidence.

He shot past her like the wind, resembling a majestic general in his prime.

Zeke Walton stood beside her, his heart pounding just as wildly as hers.

’They’re so handsome, both of them! It’s a crime against the racing world that they aren’t professional jockeys. One is more handsome than the other... so handsome my heart is about to leap out of my chest.’

Both riders’ skills were superb, and the horses had similar stamina. They were neck and neck, making it almost impossible to tell who had the upper hand.

Even after eight laps, they were still neck and neck.

Cecelia Archer secretly prayed, ’Let it be a tie. Just let this whole farce be over with.’

But the two men on horseback didn’t think so. The stakes were too tempting, and with Cecelia Archer and the children watching them, the game would be meaningless without a clear winner.

It was time for the final sprint.

Damien Vaughn put all his strength into his right arm, bringing the riding crop down hard on the horse’s flank.

The horse cried out in pain, letting out a long whinny as it picked up its pace.

Seeing him sprint, Shane Grant immediately swung his own crop. His horse let out a loud neigh and surged forward.

The wind howled in his ears. His legs, slapping against the horse’s sides, were starting to ache. With his ankles straining in the stirrups, Shane Grant suddenly felt the pain in his leg flare up again.

But with only two laps to go, he had to push through the pain.

He whipped the horse’s flanks relentlessly, spurring it to run even faster.

Damien Vaughn, keeping a close eye on his movements, wasn’t about to let him overtake him. He too whipped his horse’s flanks without pause.

The two horses galloped so furiously they seemed to be flying.

With only the final lap to go, it was as if the horses themselves knew the decisive moment had come.

Neighing and galloping, they suddenly began to drift toward each other, trying to attack one another with their heads.

Damien Vaughn and Shane Grant couldn’t let them collide. They both yanked on the reins at the same time, pulling the horses’ heads back.

In that split second, Shane Grant’s horse grew agitated. It neighed defiantly and reared up.

"AH!"

Annie shrieked, nearly getting thrown from the horse’s back.

Shane Grant quickly leaned forward, shielding Annie while simultaneously loosening his grip on the reins.

The horse, soothed, lowered its hooves. But in that brief instant, Damien Vaughn’s horse had pulled far ahead, leaving them in the dust.

BANG!

The race was over. Damien Vaughn had won.

Shane Grant’s horse also galloped across the finish line.

The outcome was decided. Though disappointed, Shane Grant maintained a calm and collected expression.

He set Annie down on the ground before jumping down from the horse himself.

But as he landed, a sharp, piercing pain shot through his ankle.

Triumphant, Damien Vaughn held Candy in his arms and patted his horse’s neck.

"So? We won! Did you have fun?"

"It was so much fun!"

Her father’s chest was broad and made her feel safe. The feeling of racing against the wind was just like flying. She absolutely loved this game.

"Daddy, you’re the best! I used to think only Uncle Grant was a good rider, but I had no idea you were this good too! You’re so amazing, you’re amazing at everything! You’re the best dad ever!"

Candy’s validation gave Damien Vaughn a greater sense of accomplishment than winning the race itself. He couldn’t resist planting a kiss on her cheek.

The father and daughter were absorbed in the joy of their victory, completely oblivious to Shane Grant. Cecelia Archer, however, sharply noticed that something was wrong with his expression and rushed to his side.

"Mr. Grant, what’s wrong? Is your leg bothering you again?"

Shane Grant didn’t want to embarrass himself. He stood perfectly still, forcing a calm expression. "I’m fine."

Cecelia didn’t believe him. "Are you sure? I thought I saw you twist it when you jumped down..."

"I’m really fine."

Shane Grant wanted to take Annie’s hand and walk off the field, but his leg wouldn’t cooperate. He had barely shifted his weight when the piercing pain shot through it again.

"Hss!"