Free Web NovelChapter 55: Chapter 55: Jealousy
’Candy?’
The appearance of the little girl sent the crowd into a frenzy of cheers, and Damien Vaughn’s brow furrowed.
’Why does the child he’s holding look so familiar? So much like Candy?’
’But it can’t be her. How could she possibly be here, in Shane Grant’s arms?’
"Grant has it good. So young, and he already has a son and a daughter."
Uncle Lee stared at the little bundle in his arms and shook his head meaningfully.
"That’s not his daughter. Shane only has one son; the child’s mother died in a car accident on the day she gave birth. He hasn’t looked for anyone else all these years. I kept telling him it was time to think about his personal life, but he always brushed it off, saying he wasn’t in the mood. I never expected... I guess I’m just getting old. Young people don’t want to tell us the truth anymore."
’Is that so?’
’So that was his past.’
Damien Vaughn’s gaze returned to Shane Grant.
The horse ran three quick laps around the field. Amidst the crowd’s cheers, Shane Grant put Candy back down.
Immediately after, before Cecelia Archer could prepare, he scooped her up onto the horse’s back.
With a dizzying whirl, she found herself sitting on the back of the galloping horse, encircled in his arms.
The wind whistled in her ears, along with his warm, strong breaths.
"Don’t be afraid. I’m protecting you, so there’s no need to be scared. Close your eyes and enjoy this."
Shane Grant had a pleasant voice. He’d raised it to be heard over the noise and speed, but from this close, every word was resonant and powerful, quickly soothing Cecelia Archer’s fear.
Their bodies were pressed together. She could feel the strength in his arms and the firmness of his chest.
Cecelia Archer’s cheeks flushed. She felt a little awkward, but in her heart, she also felt an unprecedented sense of relaxation and happiness.
First a son and daughter, then his wife.
The two of them were so young, so beautiful, such a perfect couple. The crowd clapped and cheered for them like crazy.
As Damien Vaughn watched, his expression gradually grew complicated.
’Why has the person changed again? Are my eyes playing tricks on me today? First I saw a child who looked like Candy, and now this woman looks like Cecelia Archer?’
’Cecelia Archer. That heartless, disloyal woman.’
’I did so much for her, and for what? She desperately tried to seduce me, and after finally getting me into bed, she just quietly left Stratton.’
’She really doesn’t have any lingering feelings for me at all!’
For the past few days, Damien Vaughn had been forcing himself not to think about Cecelia Archer. A busy work schedule filled his life and served as a temporary distraction. He never expected, however, that the mere sight of a similar figure would instantly bring her back to mind.
The horse galloped at full speed. Cecelia was held as they completed several laps before the pace gradually slowed.
Shane Grant leaned close to her ear and asked, "How does it feel? Are you scared? Want to keep going?" freёwebnovel.com
Cecelia Archer opened her eyes and looked around. Everyone was recording them with their phones, each person wearing a smile like they were shipping a couple. Even the two kids were huddled together, covering their mouths and grinning meaningfully.
She was well aware that she and Shane Grant were crossing a line.
"No, that’s enough. Just experiencing it was good. I’m still a little scared. Thank you, Mr. Grant. Please let me down."
Like a knight-errant from a historical drama, Shane Grant leaped gracefully from the horse’s back.
Cecelia Archer was about to copy him and jump down, but before she could even move her leg, Shane Grant reached up, placed his hands under her arms, and lifted her down from the horse.
Unlike before, when they were pressed against each other, this time they were face-to-face—far more direct.
She was hanging on Shane Grant like a child, and because of the wide movement, his mouth even brushed faintly against her cheek.
’My heart is suddenly pounding so fast, it feels like it’s about to jump out of my throat.’
’So embarrassing!’
Shane Grant didn’t seem to mind her weight at all and looked like he was about to carry her back to the children. Cecelia Archer struggled a bit, her feet dangling in the air.
"That’s enough, Mr. Grant. I can walk by myself."
As soon as the two of them were steady on their feet, the two kids ran over, their faces beaming with excitement.
Annie’s face was full of admiration. "Dad, you were amazing! So majestic! You looked like a great general just now! I had so much fun, I really admire you!"
"Candy had fun too. Auntie, did you have fun?"
Looking at the two adorable children, how could Cecelia Archer say she hadn’t had fun?
Annie’s eyes were sparkling as he grabbed Candy’s hand.
"I knew your mom would like my dad! How about we let my dad start chasing your mom today? They look so good together. I really want them to get married. Then you can be my little sister. Candy, let me be your big brother and protect you!"
Cecelia Archer: "..."
She couldn’t help but steal a glance at Shane Grant, only to find him looking back at her with a faint smile.
Their eyes met unexpectedly. Both felt a pang of awkwardness and quickly looked away.
"Are there any other activities? If not, let’s head out."
Cecelia Archer pretended to be busy, tidying her hair.
Other riders were now galloping around the field. What if a horse lost control? The children were still young, after all.
Shane Grant: "That’s all. I just wanted to bring you all here to experience the local culture. The way they build their houses here is quite unique. I’ll take you to see them."
The four of them left the crowd, holding hands just as they had when they arrived. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
As he looked up, Shane Grant saw Uncle Lee and Damien Vaughn just getting out of a car.
’I didn’t expect them to be here too.’
’Uncle Lee never goes anywhere without a reason. At such a sensitive time, is he trying to hint at something by coming here alone with Damien Vaughn?’
Shane Grant was quick-witted and would never pass up a golden opportunity. He immediately took out his phone and, while calling Uncle Lee, led Cecelia Archer and the others in their direction.
"Uncle, wait a moment. I see you. We’re coming over to say hello."
Uncle Lee stopped and, along with Damien Vaughn, turned to look in their direction.
Shane Grant, dressed all in black, was walking toward them with a young woman in a white dress, holding the hands of a boy and a girl. They looked like a warm and harmonious family of four.
At first, he only thought the woman resembled Cecelia Archer, but as they drew closer, Damien Vaughn’s expression grew darker and darker.
’That *is* Cecelia Archer!’
’No wonder she had no feelings for me! No wonder she threw away such a good job at Stratton! So it turns out she doesn’t lack for powerful men to cling to!’
’She’s with Shane Grant...’
’If that’s the case, how dare she get into my bed?!’
’And what’s the deal with Candy?’
’Didn’t they say her mother was having a tough time, that they were all alone and helpless? How could she also...?’
’Could it be that her mother *is* Cecelia Archer?’
Damien Vaughn hadn’t yet wrapped his head around the situation when the sharp-eyed and clever Candy also spotted him.
Suddenly, she let go of Cecelia Archer’s hand and ran toward him.
"Mister! Mister, what are you doing here too? I can’t believe we met again! Ah, I missed you so much! Mister, give me a hug!"
