Free Web NovelChapter 86: Chapter 86: Great-Grandpa~
Cecelia Archer came to Candy’s rescue. "Candy isn’t feeling well today, so she’s not in the best mood. Please don’t take it personally. We were about to head on and look around some more. Are you going to keep shopping?"
The sister-in-law ignored her, her gaze fixed on Damien Vaughn with a broad smile.
"Of course! We just got here! Rocky wasn’t feeling well today either, always crying and fussing at home. I had no choice but to bring him out. The poor boy usually never asks for any toys, so I plan on buying him a few to make it up to him."
"Cecelia, how long has it been since we went shopping together? This is so wonderful!"
As she spoke, the sister-in-law looped her arm through Cecelia Archer’s in a show of intimacy.
’She was unbelievable,’ Cecelia Archer thought.
They had never gone shopping together. It was always the sister-in-law dropping hints about what her household needed, and Cecelia would be the one to dutifully go and buy it.
’It’s a shame the Academy won’t be giving her an Oscar for Best Actress.’
Since the woman wouldn’t leave, and they couldn’t very well just kick her out, the group of five had no choice but to continue shopping together.
Every time the sister-in-law saw something, she would pull Rocky over and ask if he liked it. She did this for item after item. Since Rocky’s mother rarely took him to such high-end malls, he naturally liked everything. The sister-in-law would then make a show of offering to buy it for him, and as a result, Damien Vaughn inevitably ended up paying for it all.
Half an hour later, both the sister-in-law and Rocky were laden with shopping bags.
Cecelia Archer checked the time. They still hadn’t found a gift for the old master, and Damien Vaughn would be in for it if he wasn’t home on time. She had no choice but to stop the sister-in-law.
"Sister-in-law, we’re running late for an appointment, so I’m afraid we have to leave. Are you and Rocky heading back now? I can call a car for you."
The sister-in-law had quite the haul today, having spent over 20,000 of Damien Vaughn’s money, and she was absolutely delighted.
Since they were leaving, she couldn’t be bothered to shop anymore either.
"Yes, let’s head back. You’re always so thoughtful. It really is inconvenient trying to manage your nephew and all these bags by myself. Thank you for calling a car for me."
A ride-share driver accepted the request quickly, and the group of five waved their goodbyes.
A middle-aged man with a pretty young woman on his arm was coming down the escalator and happened to witness the entire scene.
"Bye, Uncle! Bye, Auntie! Bye, Candy!" ƒгeewebnovёl.com
"Cecelia, brother-in-law, we’re off then! It’s a deal, come over for dinner when you’re free! I’ll cook something delicious for you both. You have to come, okay!"
Hmm?
’Isn’t that Damien Vaughn? When did he get married? And with a daughter that old!’
The man was both shocked and confused. Not daring to approach Damien Vaughn directly, he recorded a short video and sent it to the old master.
"Uncle Vaughn, when did Damien get married? His child is already so big, and I had no idea! Why didn’t you mention it? You should have called me over for a celebratory drink. If I hadn’t happened to see him today, would I never have gotten to drink a toast at his celebration?"
Downstairs was bustling with activity as the two daughters-in-law helped set up for the old master’s birthday banquet.
Finding it too noisy, the old master had retreated to his study to practice calligraphy. He was stunned when he suddenly saw the message.
’Damien is married? With a child that old? How is that possible?’
But after watching the video again, he confirmed it was indeed him!
’That little brat! What has he been doing behind my back? I’m his grandfather, and I didn’t know a thing!’
"Where did you film this?"
"Westcap Road, Walden Plaza, fifth floor. Uncle Vaughn, if I hadn’t known about Damien’s good news, that would be one thing. But now that I do, I insist on making up for it with a proper gift. When are you free? I’ll come visit. You have to let me share in the good fortune."
’Good fortune? That scoundrel! If it’s such a happy occasion, why would he hide it from his family?’
The old master tossed his calligraphy brush aside and summoned the butler.
After finally seeing the sister-in-law off, Damien Vaughn took Cecelia Archer to the antiques section.
After some careful consideration, they purchased an ink box and a seal for the old master. They had just paid and were about to head downstairs when they turned around and came face-to-face with the old master, his eyes wide with fury.
"Grandfather?"
He glanced behind his grandfather, puzzled. No one else was there, just the butler.
"What are you doing here?"
Although the old master was over eighty, he was still hale and hearty.
His eyes were sharp as an eagle’s, and his posture was ramrod straight.
His silver hair was neatly trimmed, and when he spoke, his voice boomed like a great bell. Even a stranger could sense the aura of command he exuded, an air cultivated from a lifetime of authority.
"If I hadn’t come here, just how long were you planning on hiding this from me? Until I die? Damien Vaughn, you know full well how long I’ve wanted you to get married and have children. You kept telling me you hadn’t met the right person, that you didn’t want to get married. And what is this?"
"The child is this old, yet you neither bring her home nor tell me about her! What are you trying to do? Rebel? Or do you no longer want to be part of the Vaughn Family? Is this old man no longer worthy of knowing what happens in your life?"
This...
Clearly, the old master had misunderstood their relationship.
Seeing his imposing manner and harsh tone, Cecelia Archer thought he was about to punish Damien Vaughn and rushed a step forward.
But before she could get a word of explanation out, Damien Vaughn pulled her back.
"Who told you? When did you find out? You rarely come to the mall. Did you come all this way just to corner me?"
"Don’t change the subject! I’m the one asking the questions here, not the other way around!"
"How old is the child? When was she born? Why didn’t you bring them home? You scoundrel, what in the world are you playing at?!"
Damien Vaughn looked at his furious grandfather without a trace of fear. Despite the barrage of questions, he actually let out a faint smile.
"I wasn’t planning on hiding her from you. I wanted to give you a surprise and was going to bring them home tonight, but you found out early. Fine, then, I’ll come clean now. Her name is Candy, she’s three, and this is her mother, Cecelia Archer. Candy, go say hello to Great-Grandpa."
Candy didn’t know what was happening.
But she saw the old man had white hair and that his build and face looked a bit like the handsome uncle, so she felt an inexplicable fondness for him.
She let go of Damien Vaughn’s hand and obediently trotted over to him.
"Great-Grandpa."
The little girl was absolutely adorable. Her eyes were big, round, and sparkling black, and her mouth was like a bright red cherry. When she spoke, revealing two neat rows of tiny teeth, her voice was as soft and sweet as candy. The old master’s heart melted on the spot.
"Oh, my little treasure, you’ve been wronged, having to wait so long to meet your great-grandpa. Come, let Great-Grandpa give you a hug!"
He crouched down and opened his arms, and Candy immediately snuggled into the crook of his neck.
With the soft, sweet-smelling little bundle in his arms, what was left of the old master’s stern authority? His smile was as warm and gentle as a spring breeze.
"Oh, you are just the cutest, most beautiful little thing! You look exactly like Damien did when he was little! Great-Grandpa likes you so, so much. Good girl, give Great-Grandpa a kiss!"
Candy cupped his face in her little hands and, SMACK, planted a kiss on each of his cheeks.
Even the butler, watching from the side, couldn’t help but chuckle.
"She is indeed beautiful. The spitting image of the Young Master when he was a boy. I never expected the Young Master to have such a trump card up his sleeve. Sir, you are truly blessed."
"But of course. Could a child of the Vaughn family be anything less? HAHAHAHA."
The old master stood up, still holding Candy, and finally took a moment to properly look at Cecelia Archer.
He noted that while she was slender, she had an elegant posture and delicate features. Standing next to Damien Vaughn, they looked like a perfect match. He gave a slight, approving nod.
"What are you standing there in a daze for? Aren’t you going to call him Grandfather?"
