When dinner ended, Cecelia was about to head home with one of her coworkers, just as she had arrived. However, she quickly discovered that Damien had already made arrangements. His assistant was waiting outside the restaurant beside a luxury car.

"Mrs. Vaughn," he said politely, "Mr. Vaughn asked me to take you home."

Under the restaurant’s bright lights, the gleaming Bentley radiated wealth and prestige.

Once again, Cecelia was stunned by Damien. Did his job really pay that well? How could he afford a car like this—and even hire such a handsome driver?

Her coworkers were even more shocked.

Cecelia had always kept such a low profile. None of them had imagined she had a husband who was young, handsome, and apparently wealthy. Yet she still worked alongside them every day, fighting for every contract and commission. She was remarkably humble. And incredibly level-headed.

Vivian, however, saw things differently. So she rented a Bentley just to show off? What a manipulative woman.

Cecelia had officially become her enemy.

The next day, Cecelia buried herself in work as usual. She remained busy until late afternoon. Just before it was time to leave the office, she received a call from her sister-in-law.

The woman’s tone was unusually warm.

"Cecelia, to celebrate your wedding, I made country-style pork ribs tonight. I also bought beef and lamb. We’ve prepared a huge meal." She laughed, "You have to come home for dinner after work, alright? And bring your husband too, so he can meet the family."

Then she added, "Our parents are gone, but you still have family supporting you. You can’t let people look down on you. You have to come."

Cecelia knew perfectly well that her sister-in-law wasn’t suddenly being kind. In all these years, she had never once been treated to a meal like this. There was definitely another motive behind today’s invitation.

Still, she was her brother’s wife. Some family obligations couldn’t be avoided. In the end, Cecelia agreed.

However, she had no intention of bringing Damien. She had promised not to trouble him. And she meant it. Besides, after everything that had happened recently, she already owed him more favors than she could count.

After work, Cecelia picked up Candy and stopped to buy several gifts before heading to her brother’s house. The moment she walked through the door, her sister-in-law rushed over with exaggerated enthusiasm.

"Oh, look at you!" She immediately took the gift bags. "We’re family. You didn’t need to buy all this. The food’s ready. Come wash up—we’re about to eat." Then her eyes darted toward the doorway. "But why is it just the two of you? Where’s your husband?"

Cecelia set down the remaining gifts. "He’s out of town on business for the next few days and couldn’t make it back in time." She smiled politely. "He asked me to pass along his regards."

The smile vanished from her sister-in-law’s face. "Busy?" She snorted. "I know he’s in sales, but he’s not some big executive who spends all his time traveling. He marries you, and he can’t even visit his wife’s family?" Her voice sharpened. "He’s clearly looking down on you."

Seeing the atmosphere sour, Cecelia’s brother hurried over. "Didn’t she just say he’s working?" He frowned at his wife. "Stop making a big deal out of it. We’ll meet him eventually." Then he smiled at Candy. "Come on. Let’s eat."

Cecelia carried Candy to the table and sat down. Since her husband wasn’t there, her sister-in-law quickly dropped the act. She sat beside Cecelia and immediately started asking questions.

"You didn’t even have a wedding. You just signed the marriage license and called it a day." She shook her head. "I think you’re being far too casual about this.

"Where does he live? What kind of car does he drive? You didn’t even let us check him out beforehand." Then she added pointedly, "After everything you’ve been through, haven’t you learned your lesson?"

Cecelia had always known her sister-in-law cared about money. She just hadn’t realized she could be this greedy. The marriage was already done. Yet she was still interrogating her.

"He’s from an ordinary family too," Cecelia replied. "Everything he has, he earned himself. We agreed—"

Bang!

Her sister-in-law slammed her hand on the table.

"What?" Her eyes widened. "An ordinary family? What exactly does that mean?" Then her expression changed. "He doesn’t have a house or a car, does he?"

Suddenly, everything made sense to her. No wonder a man would agree to marry a woman with a child. He must be poor. Very poor.

"You actually married someone like that?" She stared at Cecelia as though she had lost her mind. "Our family is already struggling! We were counting on you to marry well and help your brother. And instead you go and lower yourself like this?"

Her brother immediately cut in, "What’s wrong with coming from an ordinary family? The important thing is whether he’s a good man. Does he treat Cecelia and Candy well? If he does, then that’s what matters." He looked at his wife in disbelief. "Honestly, you—"

Before he could finish, the argument exploded.

The meal never even began. Her sister-in-law flew into a rage and swept every dish off the table. Plates crashed onto the floor. Food scattered everywhere.

Candy jumped in fright.

Then came the final threat.

"I’ve housed and fed you and your daughter for three years!" Her sister-in-law pointed at Cecelia. "Even a dog knows how to repay kindness! But what about you? You run off with some man and don’t bring a single cent back to this family!"

Her voice rose higher and higher.

"We’re renovating this house this year. I need at least thirty thousand dollars. If I don’t get it, I’m divorcing your brother!" Then she burst into tears. "You’re completely useless. How did I ever end up marrying into this family?"

Her brother was furious and ready to argue back. But Cecelia was afraid things would spiral further. If they really divorced because of her, she would never forgive herself. She quickly stepped between them.

"I just closed a major contract." Her voice was tired. "The commission is over ten thousand dollars. But I won’t receive it until next month’s paycheck." Then she added quietly, "When I get it, I’ll bring some money over.

"Please. Stop fighting."

With that, she left with Candy. Neither of them had even managed to take a sip of water.

As Candy looked at her mother’s exhausted face, her heart ached. Mom had worked all day. Then she’d been forced to deal with this.

If only she had a dad. A dad who could protect Mom when it mattered.

The next day, Candy arrived at daycare in a terrible mood. The little boy sitting beside her immediately took advantage of it.

"You’re as slow as a turtle." He grabbed the paintbrush from her hand. "You’ve been holding this forever and haven’t even painted anything. Give it to me."

Candy couldn’t be bothered arguing. She handed over the paintbrush and walked away. Instead, she sat down with a box of building blocks.

A few minutes later, the boy appeared again.

"Those are mine too." He crossed his arms. "Don’t touch them. Go somewhere else."

Candy stood up and moved away. This time, she headed toward the slide in the corner. Unfortunately, the boy followed her again.

"The slide is mine too." He pointed at it possessively. "You’re not allowed to play on it."

This time, Candy finally got angry. She shoved him. The boy immediately shoved her back.

Thud!

Candy slammed into the sharp corner of a nearby table. A sharp pain shot through her arm. Looking down, she saw a deep cut. Blood immediately began to flow.

Only then did the teacher rush over. After checking the injury, she cleaned and bandaged it. Then she said, "We’ll need to call your mother."

Candy immediately shook her head. She didn’t want her mom to worry. The teacher hesitated. "Then what about your father? Do you remember his phone number? We can ask him to come pick you up."

Candy didn’t have a father. But she didn’t want anyone to know that. After thinking for a moment, she suddenly remembered someone.

At Vaughn Group headquarters, Damien was in the middle of a meeting when his phone vibrated. Glancing at the unfamiliar number, he rejected the call without a second thought.

A text message immediately followed.

Candy: Mister, I got hurt at school. The teacher wants to call a parent, but I don’t want Mom to worry. Are you free to come pretend to be my dad?

Candy? She was hurt?

The image of her adorable face immediately surfaced in his mind. An inexplicable tug tightened in his chest.

He quickly replied, How bad is it?

If necessary, he could always send his assistant.

A moment later, a photo arrived. Although her arm had already been wrapped in gauze, blood had soaked through the bandage. Against her tiny arm, the injury looked alarmingly serious.

Damien’s expression instantly darkened.

She was hurt this badly?

Without another word, he stood up and walked out of the meeting. Leaving an entire conference room full of stunned executives staring after him.