My Child and I Married a Billionaire

Chapter 143: Chapter 143: Who’s the Disgrace? Me, Damien Vaughn?

"The Walton family is the one that broke their word, so how am I the one being disgraced? Sister-in-law, have you been away for so long you’ve forgotten whose family you belong to? Whose side are you on?"

"And for the sake of argument, even if I *am* making a fool of myself, am I more of a disgrace than..."

His aunt was clearly livid. As she spoke, her gaze landed on Cecelia Archer.

Damien Vaughn hadn’t wanted to participate in this farce, but he couldn’t tolerate anyone taking issue with Cecelia.

"More of a disgrace than who? Aunt, are you referring to me?"

His words and icy stare instantly extinguished her towering rage, plunging it to a freezing point.

Choking back the rest of her sentence, the aunt opened and closed her mouth, unable to speak.

"You haven’t done anything disgraceful, why would I be talking about you? I was going to say... Never mind!"

"Zeke Walton, please go home and tell your parents to never call me again. They are not to appear before me ever again. Otherwise, I swear, I’ll throw all decorum to the wind and make sure you all regret it!"

With that, the aunt stormed out, dragging a resentful-looking Simone Vaughn with her.

Cecelia Archer and Zeke Walton exchanged a look, unsure how to break the awkward tension. Just then, Grandpa came down the stairs.

"I was sleeping so soundly, then I heard a racket downstairs. What’s all this commotion? What happened?" frёeweɓηovel.coɱ

Afraid he might have overheard and gotten upset, everyone quickly assured him it was nothing.

Mrs. Vaughn helped him to the sofa and began to show off her shopping spoils.

"It’s been so long since I’ve been back to Veridia; it’s changed so much. If Cecelia and Gwen Morgan hadn’t been with me, I would have been completely lost. Dad, I bought a ton of things. I’m planning to visit my family tomorrow. Take a look and tell me if they’re nice, will you?"

At this, Grandpa shot her a reproachful look.

"Honestly, you get shopping and there’s no stopping you. How could you not think to pick out a pair of flats for Cecelia? You had her running around with you all day. Her feet are rubbed raw."

Cecelia’s heart nearly leaped out of her chest.

’Anyone who knew the situation would understand that Grandpa was just showing his concern, that he meant it from the bottom of his heart.’

’But anyone who didn’t would think I’d complained to him after I got back.’

’Mrs. Vaughn already couldn’t stand me. This was just going to make things worse!’

She hurried over to explain, but Mrs. Vaughn was wreathed in smiles.

"Dad’s right. I had no idea Veridia would be so much fun; I got completely carried away. In my carelessness, I was so focused on fashion that I neglected poor Cecelia’s feet. Cecelia, are you all right?"

"After you went home, I realized I was in the wrong, so I picked out a pair of flats and a new dress for you. Please, take them as my apology. See if you like them."

Cecelia froze.

’She bought me another outfit and shoes? And she’s calling it an apology?’

’God, what scheme is she cooking up now?’

’So two-faced. What kind of game is she trying to play with me?’

"Mrs. Vaughn..."

As she spoke, Mrs. Vaughn took out the clothes and shoes, holding them up against Cecelia’s frame.

"Don’t they look lovely? They’re from KLG’s new autumn collection—the same style from the celebrity runway show. It cost over three hundred thousand. But you’re the Vaughn family’s daughter-in-law; you deserve nice things like this. Tomorrow, wear this new outfit and come with me to the Bell family’s home. I’ll introduce you to my side of the family. I guarantee they’ll all love you."

’Wear a new outfit to her family’s home? And be introduced to all of them? This...’

Speechless, Cecelia turned to look at Damien Vaughn.

Damien had heard that Cecelia had left the shopping trip with his mother halfway through and gone to the hospital to see Shane Grant. He assumed they’d had a falling out and was surprised to learn it was just because of her sore feet.

He was gratified to see that his mother, having gotten to know Cecelia, was now so fond of her that she even wanted to introduce her to her side of the family.

"What are you spacing out for? Aren’t you going to thank Mom?"

At that moment, Cecelia finally understood what it felt like to be forced to suffer in silence.

’Mrs. Vaughn had put on such a flawless performance. If she refused in front of everyone, they would all think she was being ungrateful and difficult.’

’As for what she was really planning, well, she’d find out tomorrow.’

"Thank you."

"I also bought an outfit for Candy. Here you go, Candy."

Mrs. Vaughn, now in high spirits, began showing off her other purchases. Damien and Zeke weren’t interested. Thinking back on the earlier confrontation, Damien walked over to Zeke and gently nudged his arm.

"Come upstairs with me."

The two went to the study and sat facing each other. Damien lit a cigarette, then pushed the pack and lighter across to Zeke.

They smoked in silence for several moments, facing each other and exhaling clouds of smoke, before Damien finally met his eyes.

"Are you serious about this?"

Zeke looked completely lost. "Serious about what?"

Damien said, "Don’t play dumb with me. What’s really going on between you and Shane Grant?"

’Ah, so that’s what this was about.’

Zeke wished more than anything that there *was* something going on with Shane Grant. Unfortunately, it was still just one-sided.

"What’s there to be going on between two grown men?"

Damien couldn’t resist kicking him under the table.

"Still playing dumb? I know nothing is happening right now, but there’s no guarantee about the future. Have you really thought this through?" freewebnσvel.cøm

Zeke had looked up to Damien Vaughn since they were kids. Though three years younger, he was always trailing behind him like a shadow.

Damien had always treated him well, so Zeke had never been one to hide things from him.

But this was the first time the two of them had ever seriously discussed the topic.

Zeke thought for a moment. "It’s not a question of thinking it through. I was just born this way; I can’t control it. You have no idea how much I envy people like you, Damien. I wish I could be normal, too."

"I’m not saying you’re not normal. In other countries, people can get married legally."

In truth, Damien was quite open-minded about the issue.

He just understood the social climate in their country and the background of the Walton family. If Zeke really wanted to go down this path, it would be an incredibly difficult one.

"You’re the only son in your family, and your parents are so traditional. I’m just worried..."

At the mention of this, Zeke shut his eyes, looking pained.

"Let’s not think about them for now. I just want to be happy. It’s pretty pathetic, isn’t it? I’ve been alive all these years and I’ve never once been in a relationship... I really tried, Damien. I wanted to try being with a woman, I’d love nothing more than to get married and have kids, but I just can’t."

Seeing how much pain the topic caused him, Damien was suddenly unsure if he should continue.

After another brief pause, he asked, "Have you been honest with Shane Grant? Would he be able to accept you?"

Zeke shook his head. "No. But I don’t think it’s impossible. After all, he has no parents, and he already has a son."

"So you’re only interested in him because of his circumstances?"

"That’s not it at all."

Zeke thought back to the first time he ever saw Shane Grant.

"What if I told you that the first time I saw him, I felt this powerful sense of destiny? Would you believe me?"

The words gave Damien goosebumps.

He stubbed out his cigarette and looked at him seriously.

"Whatever you decide, as your friend, I’ll support you. As long as you’re happy and know what you’re doing. All right, that’s all I wanted to say. Let’s head downstairs."

Damien was finished, but Zeke hadn’t even started.

Zeke stubbed out his cigarette as well, a sudden smirk spreading across his lips. His old roguish swagger returned as he stared intently at Damien.

"It’s not often I get you all to myself. We can’t just end it like this, can we? Let’s talk some more. What have you been up to lately?"