Free Web NovelChapter 94: Chapter 94: Both Substance and Face
They could pull long faces out of displeasure, but that was about it. They didn’t dare say anything substantive. After all, who could they blame when their own husbands were so disappointing?
Before the Old Master retired, he let the second son run the company for a while. Unexpectedly, he proved utterly incompetent. In less than a quarter, the stock fell by 0.3%, and he got caught up in a sex scandal with his assistant. He was ignominiously removed from his position before he could even make it through the first shareholders’ meeting.
Adhering to the principle of fairness, the Old Master then let the third son take over. The third son wasn’t as outrageous, but he just plodded along for about half a year without making any waves. The pressure became too much, and he ended up falling seriously ill.
With no other option, the Old Master had to shoulder the burden himself. He continued to do so into his seventies, until Damien Vaughn returned from his studies abroad and finally took over.
The second and third aunts had originally thought the conglomerate was too large and difficult to manage. With the Old Master getting on in years, they figured it would be best to just split it up. Each branch would be responsible for its own profits and losses, and no one would get in anyone else’s way. A perfect arrangement.
Who would have known that despite his youth, Damien Vaughn would be so capable? Since his return, the conglomerate’s business had soared, reaching new heights in just a few short years. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com
Those with ability have the right to speak. So, even though he was of a younger generation, everyone in the family had to defer to him.
"You’re so fortunate, marrying a wonderful husband like Damien and now having Grandpa dote on you. You must have done something incredible in a past life. Speaking of which, Grandpa is so good to you, yet you haven’t served him tea, have you? One must know their place and show gratitude. Your third aunt and I have behaved respectfully before Grandpa our entire lives; we can’t have you disrupting the order of things."
This meal was becoming impossible to eat. Saddled with such a heavy accusation, Cecelia Archer quickly stood up.
"I’m not familiar with the customs, thank you for the reminder, Aunts. Grandpa, what kind of tea do you like? I can prepare a cup for you after we finish eating."
"There’s no rush. And no need to be so bound by formalities. Just eat."
The Old Master had her sit back down.
Damien Vaughn put more food on her plate, and everyone continued eating. Cecelia Archer could only manage a few more bites.
The second and third aunts pouted and went off to clean up the scene they had decorated yesterday. The others finished their breakfast at a leisurely pace. Cecelia Archer consulted Ms. King about the etiquette and procedure for the tea ceremony, then moved over to the sofa.
Once the tea was ready, the Old Master called the second and third aunts over as well.
"You two, come here and sit next to me. Weren’t you complaining that she has no manners? Today, we’ll get all the formalities out of the way. She can serve you a cup, too."
It was, after all, what they were owed as elders. The two of them sat down on either side of the Old Master.
Cecelia Archer served tea to each of the three in turn. The Old Master took a couple of sips.
"She has served me tea, and I, as the elder, have given the appropriate return gift. You two aren’t planning to leave her empty-handed, are you?"
’This... They didn’t even have a wedding. We have to give a red envelope just for being served tea?’
The two exchanged a look. They were reluctant, but since the Old Master had spoken, they didn’t dare refuse.
"We came in such a hurry, we didn’t prepare any red envelopes."
The Old Master said, "Can’t you send it through your phones? All that matters is that the gesture is made. We don’t need to be rigid about the method."
Damien Vaughn, perched on the arm of a nearby sofa, watched the expressions on his second and third aunts’ faces and was secretly amused.
Speechless for a couple of seconds, the two had no choice but to take out their phones.
"We’re all family from now on. Let’s add each other on WeChat. Cecelia, if there’s anything you don’t understand, you can always send us a message to ask for advice."
Cecelia Archer added the two of them on WeChat and received two money transfers. The amounts weren’t huge, but they were by no means small—8,888.8 each.
She knew this was a matter of etiquette and that she couldn’t refuse, so she accepted the transfers.
"Thank you, Second Aunt. Thank you, Third Aunt."
"Don’t think it’s too little, now. This is just a small welcome gift for formally acknowledging us as family. Later, when you and Damien have your wedding and you officially become a member of the Vaughn Family, we’ll give you a much bigger one."
Having made a small fortune so early in the morning, and looking at the kind-hearted Old Master, Cecelia Archer simply didn’t have the heart to bring up leaving.
The second and third aunts stayed for a little while longer before making an excuse about having other things to do and leaving. Candy was interested in the garden outside, so the Old Master took her out to the yard to play. Only then did Cecelia Archer have a chance to speak with Damien Vaughn. freeωebnovēl.c૦m
"Are you going to the office today?"
Damien Vaughn had originally planned to go, but now he didn’t want to.
’Cecelia just got here and doesn’t know her way around yet. And Candy’s health isn’t great. I should stay and help them get settled.’
"No. Why?"
"Weren’t we supposed to move somewhere else, Candy and I?"
Before they returned yesterday, Damien Vaughn had indeed planned on that, but now... with his grandfather so fond of Candy, he couldn’t bring himself to say it.
He couldn’t believe that even after all this, Cecelia Archer was still thinking of leaving. "Grandpa genuinely likes you, and he likes Candy, too. Can’t you tell?"
Cecelia Archer was conflicted. "I know, I can tell. But..."
Damien Vaughn said, "His health isn’t good. He hasn’t been this happy in years."
Cecelia Archer was at a loss for words. She sighed. "So what, I should quit my job and just stay home to keep Grandpa company every day?"
"Of course you’ll work. Your job will be to keep him happy and, while you’re at it, help with the physical therapy for his legs. I’ll pay you 500,000 a month."
Cecelia Archer: "..."
As they were talking, a phone rang. Cecelia Archer took hers out and saw it was a call from her brother.
"Cecelia, your sister-in-law told me she ran into you at the mall yesterday, and that she met your husband. She said he seems like a great guy, is that true? You’ve been married for a while now, and I still haven’t met him. Not that meeting him changes anything, but as your older brother, I can’t help but worry. If you’re free today, why don’t you two come over for a meal? Let me meet him, chat with him for a bit. What do you say?"
’Her brother actually had very handsome features. When they were little and their dad took them out, people would always say her brother was so good-looking he’d have no trouble finding a wife when he grew up.’
’But then their father passed away and he injured his leg. Her brother fell into a depression for many years, becoming insecure and introverted.’
’Honestly, during the years she and Candy had lived at his place, she’d felt terribly for him. Her sister-in-law acted as if marrying him and bearing him a son was some great honor she’d bestowed upon him, and she constantly put him down, both verbally and emotionally.’
’Cecelia did her best to help her brother, but there was only so much she could do.’
’Lately, she’d been even worse. So caught up in her own affairs, she hadn’t given her brother a single thought.’
But going to her family’s home wasn’t a decision she could make alone. Cecelia Archer looked at Damien Vaughn.
"Let me talk it over with him and I’ll call you back, okay?"
After the call ended, Damien Vaughn studied Cecelia Archer’s expression.
"What is it? Did something happen?"
"It’s my brother. My sister-in-law told him about running into us yesterday, and now he wants me to bring you over for dinner."
’We really should pay them a visit.’
’It had been some time since he and Cecelia entered their fake marriage, and he still hadn’t met her only family members. That wasn’t right.’
"Then let’s go. Lunch or dinner? You pick a time."
Cecelia Archer hadn’t expected him to agree so readily. She hesitated for a moment.
"My brother’s place... it isn’t renovated yet. It’s an unfinished unit, and it’s not in a great area."
’Could it be any worse than her old rental apartment?’
Damien Vaughn raised an eyebrow. "So?"
Cecelia Archer said, "You seem like a stickler for cleanliness. I’m afraid you won’t be able to eat when you get there."
Her words amused Damien Vaughn so much that he couldn’t help but turn his head and let out a small laugh.
’It was true that he could easily lose his appetite, but it all depended on who he was with.’
"If I can’t eat, you can feed me. Let’s go for lunch, then. I’ll go let Grandpa know."
