My Child and I Married a Billionaire

Chapter 24: Chapter 24: Putting the Green Tea in Check

Seeing that he didn’t want anything to do with Cecelia Archer, someone perceptive quickly spoke up to flatter him.

"Exactly! What nonsense are you all spouting? Dr. King has a girlfriend, and she’s the daughter of the hospital’s vice president. His future is boundless. How could he possibly like that kind of woman? Pfft!"

Huh? He’s the future son-in-law of the hospital’s vice president? The crowd immediately swarmed him with praise.

Cecelia Archer listened to the crowd’s mockery and their fawning over the successful man. It would be a lie to say she wasn’t the least bit humiliated, but she felt more acceptance than anything else.

’She was the one who had let her life turn out this way, step by step. She couldn’t blame anyone else.’

’The only thing she could do was listen to their scorn and fight her way back up.’

"Today’s star is Claire, so let’s talk about her," she said.

She shamelessly steered the conversation back.

"Did you know? Claire is doing amazingly well now. Not only did she study abroad and get an impressive degree, but she also knows the President of the Vaughn Group. Now *that’s* what I call a boundless future."

"What? Claire actually knows the President of the Vaughn Group? How did they meet?"

Cecelia said, "Never mind how they met. The point is, she has a lot of influence with President Vaughn. She can just say the word and gift a contract worth hundreds of millions to a friend. Impressive, right?"

’She can just give away a project worth hundreds of millions?’

Suddenly, Ethan King lost his appeal. People rushed to massage Claire Clark’s legs and rub her shoulders.

"Claire, no wonder you’re going to work as a doctor at Homestead Hospital, which is funded by the Vaughn Group. So that’s the connection. We’ve been classmates for so many years, can you give us a little boost?"

’Claire Clark hadn’t expected Cecelia Archer to be so shameless.’

’Everyone had already trampled all over her, yet she could still brazenly help build me up.’

’It seems life’s hard knocks these past few years have taught her a thing or two. She’s learned to recognize which way the wind is blowing.’

Smiling, she boasted, "I’ve always been one to look out for my friends. Don’t worry, it’s all negotiable."

"Since everyone’s here, let’s get started. Cecelia, everyone has prepared a performance for my birthday, and you’re no exception. Aren’t you the best at seductive dancing? Get up there and dance for us. Kick things off, liven up the party."

Someone was dumbfounded. "A seductive dance? Is that what I think it is? Cecelia knows how to do that?"

Vivian Mason seized the opportunity to add, "Don’t underestimate Cecelia. She may act all pure and innocent, but she’s wild in private. Especially with male clients, she really lets loose. Any man who’s worked with her can’t get her out of his head. That’s how she manages to sign so many deals."

The crowd was shocked.

Cecelia Archer wasn’t afraid that Claire Clark would make her go on stage. She was afraid she wouldn’t.

’Since it has come to this, I might as well go up.’

"Does everyone really want me on stage that badly? Then please excuse my humble performance."

"Claire, you really don’t know me at all. I did prepare a performance for you. Could you let me connect to the projector, please?"

She had brought her own laptop. Soon, to everyone’s slight astonishment, she walked onto the small, round stage in the middle of the villa, purse in hand.

"Like I was just saying, Claire is now President Vaughn’s favorite. With just a word from her, anything is possible. We should all feel honored to have a classmate like her. Let’s give her a round of applause first."

The once-innocent campus belle had fallen on such hard times, yet she was still in the mood to build someone else up. It was a truly heartbreaking sight, but at the same time, it satisfied everyone’s desire for a good show.

The crowd clapped, all while laughing mockingly at Cecelia Archer.

Cecelia Archer continued, "The reason I was able to get in touch with Claire and come to her birthday party is because I was discussing a collaboration with her yesterday. This is the contract."

A contract suddenly appeared on the giant projector screen, and Cecelia scrolled through it for everyone to see.

"She said that if I came to her birthday party and let all of you laugh at me like some spineless loser, she would sign this deal with me. Well, I’m here now, and everyone has had their laugh. Claire, let’s sign the contract."

The crowd was stunned once more.

So it was Claire Clark who had approached her company to discuss a collaboration and invited her here.

No wonder she’d suddenly appeared here after being out of touch for so many years.

Why would Claire Clark go so far as to use a five-million-dollar deal to lure her here?

Everyone turned to look at Claire Clark, their faces alight with gossip.

’Claire Clark couldn’t believe this shameless woman would bring this up in public.’

’She had never intended to sign the contract. Wasn’t this a deliberate attempt to embarrass her?’

In front of so many people, she couldn’t admit she didn’t want to sign, and she gritted her teeth in frustration.

"I told you to go up there and perform, not to spout nonsense! Cecelia, are you that desperate for money?"

Cecelia replied calmly, "As a matter of fact, I am. Right now, money is more important to me than my own life. If you don’t sign the contract and give me some peace of mind, I’m afraid I won’t be able to dance very well."

As she spoke, she played a short video clip she had recorded the day before.

Claire Clark’s solemnly sworn words from the video reached everyone’s ears.

"It’s just a matter of signing your name and adding a thumbprint. I have everything ready. It’ll only take a few seconds, and then I can start my performance. Come on, Claire."

Claire Clark stared at herself on the big screen, momentarily speechless. "You!"

She shot a pleading look at Vivian Mason.

’Vivian Mason hadn’t expected Cecelia to pull a move like this either, backing them into a corner in front of everyone!’

’If they signed, it would be letting her off too easily. Besides, it’s not like Claire could actually deliver on a five-million-dollar order anyway.’

’But if they didn’t sign, after all this buildup...’

It was no longer appropriate for Claire Clark to say anything, so Vivian had to stand up and shout, "Cecelia, you’re disgusting!"

"Claire was just taking pity on you and wanted to give you a deal to help you out, but you... Your greed is just shameless! Who would ever dare be friends with someone like you? Get down from there right now!"

’Cecelia had never expected to be friends with them anyway. She had already lost so much face today; she had to secure this deal!’

"I did what she asked. How is it that when it’s her turn to keep her promise, I’m the one being shameless? Vivian Mason, this has nothing to do with you, so I’m not talking to you. I just need one word from Claire Clark. This contract—are you signing it or not?"

"You keep talking about how capable you are. Don’t let everyone find out it was all just a bluff."

With all eyes fixed on her, Claire Clark’s features twitched in frustration.

’Five million! Damn you, Cecelia Archer, you’re trying to ruin me!’

’She had worked so hard to build her reputation. Claire absolutely could not accept it being destroyed by Cecelia today.’

Steeling herself, she decided to sign it.

’Besides, the company Cecelia works for is run by her uncle. He wouldn’t actually hold this against me, would he?’

"You bitch. This is the last time. Don’t you ever dream of me helping you again!"

She stood up from the crowd and prepared to go on stage, but then her eyes shifted, and she noticed two tall figures standing at the door.

It was none other than Damien Vaughn and his assistant.

’Damien is here!’

She didn’t know when he had arrived. As always, he was dressed in a simple black shirt and black pants. Just by standing there with a stern and solemn expression, he exuded an intimidating aura, as if he reigned supreme over all he surveyed.

’I knew he was just putting on a tough act but was soft on the inside! He would definitely come to my birthday!’ Overjoyed, Claire Clark rushed toward him.

"Damien, you’re here! I knew you cared about me, that you wouldn’t abandon me!" freeweɓnovel.cѳm

"Why didn’t you give me a heads-up? I would have come to the door to greet you!"