My Child and I Married a Billionaire

Chapter 5: A Loving Husband

Editor: Henyee Translations

Less than two minutes later, the group was escorted to the largest and most luxurious private room in the restaurant. Damien excused himself, saying he had some business to attend to and would stop by later. The moment he left, everyone crowded around Cecelia.

"Cecelia, what exactly does your husband do?"

"Why does he know the management here?"

"He’s ridiculously handsome."

"He must have an incredible job, right?"

Another coworker sighed dramatically, "You’re unbelievably lucky. If I had a husband that handsome, I’d be posting selfies every day just to let the world know he was mine."

"Exactly!"

"And you already have a child too."

"How old is your kid?"

"Is she in preschool yet?"

"Where do you live?"

Question after question came flying at her.

Cecelia hadn’t prepared answers for any of them. Nor did she particularly want to share. So she quickly changed the subject. "Let’s order first," she said with a smile. "We can talk while we eat."

Although none of them had eaten at Valoria Gardens before, everyone knew it was outrageously expensive. Anyone with a bit of self-awareness would have been reluctant to order.

Everyone except Vivian Mason.

Without the slightest embarrassment, Vivian grabbed the tablet and started selecting dishes enthusiastically. "Cecelia’s husband is obviously loaded," she said. "It’s only one meal. What are you all holding back for?"

As she spoke, she ordered more than a dozen dishes. Then she added a bottle of 1982 Château Lafite Rothschild for good measure.

The moment Cecelia saw the order, her eye twitched. She silently memorized every item.

Fine.

The next time Vivian treated the office, she’d make sure to order twice as much.

Just wait.

The meal was nearly over before Damien finally appeared. Although he only stayed for a short while, he handled the situation perfectly. Whenever someone proposed a toast, he accepted it. Whenever someone praised Cecelia, he politely agreed. He even said a few complimentary things about her work ethic and professionalism.

By the end of it, her coworkers were looking at her with undisguised envy.

When he finally stood to leave, he placed a platinum membership card in front of Cecelia.

"The meal is on me." His gaze swept across the table. "Everyone enjoy yourselves." Then he added calmly, "If you’re still hungry, feel free to order more."

The entire table fell silent. Even the manager looked ready to adopt Damien on the spot.

Young. Handsome. Generous. And apparently devoted to his wife. How could a man like this even exist?

Cecelia was unbelievably lucky.

Cecelia, however, remained perfectly clear-headed. Unlike everyone else, she knew Damien’s situation. In her eyes, his profession wasn’t easy money.

Quite the opposite.

It depended on youth, appearance, and stamina.

People in that line of work also spent heavily to maintain their image. Otherwise, how could they afford designer suits, luxury restaurants, and membership cards like this?

He had already done her an enormous favor by helping her obtain the marriage certificate and agreeing to help with Candy’s paperwork later. She couldn’t possibly accept his money either.

The moment Damien left the private room, she hurried after him. The hallway outside was quiet. For the first time all evening, she was free from curious coworkers and endless questions. Without hesitation, she pressed the membership card back into his hand.

"Sorry for dragging you here." She looked genuinely apologetic. "And thank you. For everything. The room. Covering for me. All of it." She shook her head. "But I can’t take your money."

Damien glanced down at her. She’d had a little wine. A faint flush colored her cheeks. For some reason, he still couldn’t figure her out. If she wanted something, why not just ask? Why make everything so complicated?

He looked at the card. Then back at her. "What is it?" His voice was calm. "Not enough?"

Cecelia nearly choked. "What?" She waved both hands frantically. "No! No, that’s not what I meant!"

She suddenly realized how her actions might have looked.

"We’re not really married." She lowered her voice. "So how could I spend your money?" Then she added awkwardly, "Or complain that it isn’t enough."

Damien stared at her. Cecelia immediately felt even more embarrassed.

"I just meant..." She trailed off. Then she gave up. "Anyway, thank you for tonight." She stepped backward. "You should get back to work. I’ve already taken up too much of your time." freёwebnoѵel.com

Without waiting for a reply, she practically fled back toward the private room.

Damien remained standing there holding the card. His gaze followed her retreating figure. A slight frown appeared on his face. If she didn’t want money... Then what exactly did she want?

Before he could think further, something suddenly brushed against his back. The sensation made his skin crawl. His expression instantly darkened. Without hesitation, he grabbed the offending arm and twisted.

"Ah!"

A scream rang through the hallway.

It was Vivian Mason. She had just returned from the restroom and happened to overhear part of the conversation.

Money. Membership card. Not really married.

The pieces immediately clicked together in her mind.

So that was it.

This man wasn’t really Cecelia’s husband. He was an actor she’d hired. A handsome prop. A paid performance.

Vivian had rushed over intending to flirt with him. Instead, she nearly had her arm dislocated. Clutching her wrist, she leaned against the wall, wincing in pain.

Damien had noticed her the moment she appeared. A scheming, manipulative, and malicious woman. He couldn’t stand people like her. The fact that she’d actually touched him only made things worse. Without sparing her another glance, he turned to leave.

"Wait!" Vivian hurried after him. "You almost broke my arm and you’re just leaving?"

The fact that it wasn’t broken was already proof of Damien’s restraint. He didn’t even slow down.

Vivian gritted her teeth and followed. "What are you in such a hurry for?" Then she lowered her voice. "You’re just an actor, aren’t you?"

Damien stopped. For the first time, he looked at her.

Vivian immediately brightened. "I can afford you too," she smiled. "You don’t have to act so arrogant." Then she leaned closer. "How much is Cecelia paying you to play her husband?"

She crossed her arms.

"I’ll pay double." A smug smile spread across her face. "Then you can be mine instead."

For a moment, Damien thought he had misheard her. She thought he was an actor? And she wanted to hire him? Of all the ridiculous things he’d heard in his life, this might have been the most absurd. He looked at her calmly. Vivian mistook his silence for interest.

"Sounds like a great deal, doesn’t it?" She smiled confidently. "If you agree now, I can pay you immediately." Then she pointed toward the private room. "You only have to act as my date for a few minutes."

Damien suddenly felt curious. Exactly how stupid was this woman?

"Oh?" He folded his arms. "And how much are you planning to pay me?"

Vivian immediately asked, "How much is Cecelia paying you?"

Damien considered the question. Then named a figure he thought she could actually afford. "Fifteen thousand."

Fifteen thousand dollars.

Vivian’s eyes widened. So Cecelia had really spent that much money just to show off in front of her colleagues.

The amount hurt. A lot.

But after everything that had happened today, Vivian desperately wanted to restore her image and regain some dignity. After a long moment, she gritted her teeth, "I’ll pay thirty thousand."

A few minutes later, the private-room door slid open. Vivian walked in with a triumphant smile. "Sorry to keep everyone waiting."

Everyone looked up.

"I went to the restroom." She stepped aside dramatically. "But I brought someone back with me."

The room instantly fell silent.

Standing behind her was Cecelia’s husband.

Everyone stared.

What was going on? Why had Cecelia’s husband returned with Vivian?

Even Cecelia’s heart sank slightly. Had Damien really agreed to go with whoever paid more? Did he have no professional ethics whatsoever?

Before anyone could speak, Damien calmly raised his phone. The screen faced the room. "Miss Mason feels deeply sorry for the trouble she’s caused my wife over the years."

The room went silent.

Vivian froze.

Damien continued smoothly, "In order to make amends, she has generously volunteered to pay for tonight’s dinner."

The room exploded. What? She was paying?

Damien nodded approvingly. "People make mistakes." His gaze shifted toward Cecelia. "My wife is a generous person and won’t hold a grudge." Then he looked back at Vivian. "But Miss Mason’s willingness to take responsibility is admirable." A faint smile appeared on his face. "I think she deserves a round of applause."

The room erupted. Suddenly everything made sense. No wonder Vivian hadn’t hesitated while ordering. She had planned to pay all along!

One coworker immediately started clapping. Then another. Soon the entire room joined in. Vivian stood there completely dumbfounded. She stared at Damien in disbelief.

Meanwhile, Damien remained expressionless. Then he delivered the final blow. "You should give up on any other ideas, Miss Mason." The room fell silent again. "I have no interest in getting close to you." His gaze swept over her once. Cold. Dismissive. Then he added, "No matter how much money you offer."

A pause.

Then, in an even colder tone, he said, "You’re simply not attractive enough."