Free Web NovelChapter 22: Chapter 22: Divorce
’She’s offering me a five-million-dollar deal with Claire Clark? And she wants to just *give* it to me?’
’Even a fool would know there’s a catch.’
Cecelia Archer was speechless.
’Since I can’t make them leave, I might as well leave myself.’
She grabbed her laptop and stood up to go, but Vivian Mason grabbed her arm.
"You don’t believe it? You don’t believe I’d give the deal to you, or you don’t believe Claire has the ability to make it happen?"
"You probably don’t know this, but she’s good friends with the president of Vaughn Group. To help my career, a mere five million is nothing. Even five hundred million would only take a single word from her."
Wellspring Electric, a subsidiary of Vaughn Group, had always been Cecelia’s dream client. Unfortunately, after several years in the business, she hadn’t even made it through Wellspring’s front door, let alone Vaughn Group’s. She didn’t even know which way the Group’s main entrance faced.
’But Claire Clark actually knows the president of Vaughn Group?’
Although she had no idea how Claire had gotten so damn lucky these past few years, Cecelia wasn’t envious. More importantly, she didn’t believe Vivian Mason was kind enough to just hand a deal over to her.
"Are you finished? If so, please let go."
Vivian Mason was surprised she wouldn’t take such huge bait.
"Cecelia Archer, I’m trying to be nice and you’re throwing it back in my face! I see you’re just looking down on Claire and showing her no respect. Claire, are you going to put up with this?"
Claire Clark was rather stunned by Vivian’s sudden mention of a five-million-dollar deal.
Although her relationship with Damien Vaughn was unusual, she had no idea what the Vaughn Group even did. She had never even set foot in the Vaughn Group’s building, so how was she supposed to help with Vivian’s sales?
When Claire didn’t respond, Vivian leaned in and whispered in her ear.
"Are you stupid? Without an excuse, without tempting her with money, is she going to let you push her around? The point isn’t the contract; it’s getting her to agree to go and make a fool of herself for you. Afterward, if you don’t sign, what can she do to you?"
Claire Clark had a sudden realization.
’I really have been in my ivory tower for too long; I’m too naive. When it comes to scheming, I have to hand it to my slick cousin.’
"Exactly," she said, standing up confidently.
"My relationship with the president of Vaughn Group is anything but ordinary. As long as you keep me happy, what deal can’t be secured? A pity some people are too blind to recognize greatness when they see it."
Cecelia almost laughed at the two of them.
’Whispering and scheming right in front of me. What do they take me for?’
"I guess I really am blind. I’ve underestimated you, Miss Clark. Since you’re so capable and so willing to help me, fine, I’ll go to your reunion. Now print out the contract and sign it for me."
Hearing this, Vivian Mason gritted her teeth in anger.
’That bitch! The moment she hears there’s money to be made, she’ll agree to anything! Sign the contract for her now? In her dreams!’
"You haven’t done anything yet, and you want the client to sign a contract? There’s no such thing as a free lunch. You go first. After the birthday party is over tomorrow, Claire will take care of you."
Cecelia had already guessed what Claire Clark planned to say and do at the reunion to embarrass her.
’They want to make a monkey out of me, and then refuse to sign the contract after the show. What a low-level scam.’
"I can’t help it, I’m just that materialistic. I only work for my clients. If you haven’t become my client, then nothing you say will matter. Since Miss Clark is unwilling to sign, let’s just forget it."
’This damn woman! She’s just as stubborn and unyielding as she was in school!’
’I’m starting my job at the hospital in a few days. Opportunities to humiliate her in public like this will be few and far between after that.’
Claire Clark grew anxious. "I heard you married a tall, handsome, and capable husband. Take this opportunity to show him off to our classmates. Maybe you can even turn around that rotten reputation you had in school. Cecelia, I’m doing this for your own good. Have you lost your mind?"
The more earnestly she pleaded, the more it proved her ill intentions. Cecelia sneered.
"It’s not the first time I’ve been accused of having no brain. You, of all people, should know that, right, Claire Clark?"
Claire Clark said, "...After all, we were classmates for three years. I’m quite curious about what your husband is like. How about this: bring him along tomorrow, and after the birthday party ends, I’ll sign a ten-million-dollar deal with you."
Now, Cecelia’s curiosity was thoroughly piqued.
’What kind of trap has she set for me? To use a ten-million-dollar deal as bait!’
Cecelia wasn’t afraid of being humiliated. Nothing could be more embarrassing than being expelled from school all those years ago.
Right now, her only focus was on making money and providing a stable home for her daughter.
Even if the chance was slim, as long as there was a chance, she had to fight for it.
"Claire Clark, talk is cheap. If you’ve got the guts, record a video for me as proof."
’She actually wants me to record a video?’ ƒrēewebnovel.com
Claire Clark was speechless for a moment and looked at Vivian Mason.
Vivian leaned close to her ear.
"What are you afraid of? This can’t be used as legal evidence. We live in a society ruled by law. It’s not like she can force a transaction, can she? Even if she tries to sue you with it later, so what? Don’t worry."
"Fine. I, Claire Clark, stand by my word. Go ahead and record it if you dare."
Cecelia wasn’t particularly happy even after getting the video.
’I shouldn’t have run my mouth and mentioned I was married that day. Why does everyone want to see my husband?’
She had troubled Damien so many times already; she really didn’t have the face to bother him again. But the thought of the huge commission she could get from a five-million-dollar deal...
After hesitating again and again, Cecelia decided to bow to the almighty dollar.
’Forget about pride. You can worry about that after you’ve put food on the table.’
"Are you back?"
She took the initiative to send Damien Vaughn a message on WeChat.
Damien Vaughn was already back. He was at the Group’s office when he saw her message, and his expression soured.
’So eager to rush him into a divorce. I’ve never seen such an ungrateful woman!’
"Ryan!"
"President Vaughn?"
"Pull up the files on Cecelia Archer and her daughter. Go get her daughter’s household registration settled now, and bring the marriage certificate back to me!"
Cecelia didn’t get a reply from Damien Vaughn for a long time and thought he hadn’t returned yet. Suddenly, her phone rang.
"Hello, Miss Archer. Damien sent me. Your daughter’s household registration is all taken care of. I’m at the entrance of your company. Come on down and get the household registration booklet."
When Candy was born, her sister-in-law had found the situation shameful and refused to take Cecelia to the hospital. As a result, there was no birth certificate, and getting her household registration had always been a huge problem.
’I can’t believe Damien got it done so quietly and effortlessly!’
Cecelia hurried downstairs. Ryan explained,
"Damien knows a lot of people. A friend of his happens to work in the household registration department, so he asked him to handle it. You don’t have to worry about it anymore. Did you bring the marriage certificate?"
Cecelia had brought it with her. She didn’t know when he would be free and was afraid he’d suddenly call her to go get a divorce, so she had been carrying the marriage certificate with her at all times.
"Is Mr. Damien here? Are we going to the Civil Affairs Bureau now?"
"No need. Just give me the marriage certificate. The person Damien knows can handle it directly." ƒгeewebnovёl.com
Cecelia wasn’t just astonished by Damien Vaughn’s wealth; she now had a new appreciation for his network of connections as well.
’His professional skills are really something else. With connections like these, he can get by anywhere.’
"So from now on, there’s nothing between us?"
"You could put it that way. I’ll be going then, Miss Archer. Please take care of yourself from now on."
