At the hotel, Doris Morton was utterly exhausted. After Cecelia Archer coaxed her into taking a nap, her mood finally stabilized a little.
But only a little. Curled up on the sofa, she gazed out at the dazzling, prosperous city, still deeply dejected.
"I used to think I was lucky—at least, compared to you. I had parents who loved me, a warm home, a safe harbor to turn to when I was tired. But now... it’s so hard, Cecelia. Why is life so difficult?"
"Some people are born with countless houses and cars. But even when we give it our all, it’s a struggle just to get a foothold in Veridia. Now, with my dad so deep in debt and my mom so sick... do you think I’ll ever be able to buy a house of my own?"
Cecelia Archer didn’t know how to answer her, because she felt just as lost herself.
Her greatest hope each day was that Candy would find a suitable bone marrow match and get well soon. Then, she could go back to work and, by the time Candy came of age, buy a house in Veridia for the two of them, mother and daughter.
But this wasn’t the time to burden Doris Morton with her own pressures.
Patting her shoulder, she could only comfort her with a bright, cheerful voice.
"Things will get better, believe me. As long as we don’t give up, one day we’ll buy our own houses."
"If you ever lose faith or get too tired, just leave it to me. I’ll buy one and give it to you. Don’t lose hope."
Doris Morton was so distraught over her father’s situation that she didn’t even think to ask about Damien Vaughn.
At Cecelia’s words, she just murmured, "Even a house outside Veridia’s Fifth Ring Road would cost two or three million. Two or three million..."
Cecelia Archer said, "Who knows, maybe we’ll earn twenty or thirty million! We’re only in our twenties, what’s the rush? When I make twenty million, I’ll give you ten. We won’t buy outside the Fifth Ring—if we’re buying, we’ll get large flats in the Fourth, Third, or even Second Ring. You get one, I get one, and we’ll be neighbors."
"Pfft." Doris Morton couldn’t help but laugh.
"You’re the best. I’m so glad I have you by my side."
"That’s right, you said it. It’s just one little house. As long as we don’t give up, we’ll earn it eventually!"
Damien Vaughn, standing at the door, heard their entire conversation loud and clear.
’She wants a house? Why didn’t she just tell me? The Vaughn Family has houses everywhere.’
Once he was sure their conversation had reached a lull, Damien Vaughn finally rang the doorbell.
When Cecelia Archer opened the door, he handed her two sets of clothes.
"Don’t go home tonight. Stay here and keep your friend company. I brought a change of clothes for both of you."
Cecelia Archer hadn’t expected him to be so thoughtful today, actually letting her stay away for the night. ’But the kids...’
"Grandpa and I are here, and so is Ms. King. Nothing will happen. Just focus on helping your friend calm down. As long as you don’t come home with all this on your mind, it’s fine."
"Everything at the hospital has been handled. Don’t worry. As long as I’m around, he won’t dare to pull any more stunts."
"As for your friend’s family home, tell her not to worry. I’ve already sent Ryan to take care of it. Her mother can live there in peace."
Cecelia Archer was taken aback. "What do you mean you sent Ryan to take care of it? The bank mortgage..."
Damien Vaughn didn’t answer her directly.
"Didn’t you say it yourself? Her mother is sick and can’t handle any stress. Just think of it as being for her mother’s sake."
"Alright, that’s everything. It’s not a good time for me to come in, so I’ll stay out here. Don’t you get all worked up, too. You have to take care of yourself to be able to take care of her. Call me if anything comes up. Got it?"
He was only there for a minute, but every single word he said was incredibly touching.
He had fronted the money for the medical bills, he had been the one to calm Doris’s father down, and now he had even sent Ryan to deal with the house issue. He was spending so much of his time and money, and Cecelia Archer felt deeply indebted.
She wanted to say "thank you," but felt those two words were far too inadequate.
Gazing into Damien Vaughn’s gentle eyes, Cecelia Archer opened her mouth and closed it again, finally just nodding obediently.
"I understand."
Seeing her gentle and obedient look, Damien Vaughn’s heart melted. ’I want to reach out and squeeze her cheeks,’ he thought, ’but this isn’t the right time.’
Damien Vaughn glanced around the property and spun a lie.
"A friend of mine who just returned from abroad can’t stand the city air. He wants to find a plot of land in the countryside, build a villa, and live a quiet life. He asked me to find a spot for him. I was drawing a blank, and then I thought of you. This place is actually quite suitable. Bro, have you ever thought about selling?"
Honestly, he had never considered it.
’Their house is so run-down, and in such a poor location. He’d love to sell, but who in their right mind would buy it?’
"Your friend would come all the way out here to live? You think he’d actually be interested in a place like this?"
"No problem. This is exactly the kind of place he’s looking for. If you agree to sell, I’ll tell him right now."
"Of course, we can! Forget the money, just to do you a favor, I’d have to help your friend out. I just don’t know anything about real estate prices. Damien, if we really were to sell, what do you think would be a fair price?"
Damien Vaughn looked at him with a serious expression.
"It’s not that I don’t trust your wife, but I think that sometimes, keeping things from her is the best way to avoid adding to her burdens. Bro, don’t tell her about selling the house."
The next day, Cecelia’s brother was once again sitting in Damien’s car.
Damien Vaughn handed him a purchase agreement.
"The buyer offered forty million—twenty for you, and twenty for Cecelia Archer. He doesn’t have that much cash on hand, so he’s using two properties to cover the cost. Their locations are pretty good. You can save them for Rocky to use as a marital home when he grows up. Take a look, and if everything’s in order, go ahead and sign."
Her brother never in his wildest dreams imagined that their old, dilapidated shack in the countryside could sell for the astronomical price of forty million.
Forty million! That was forty million!
"Th-th-this... How is this possible? Damien, you’re not pulling my leg, are you?"
Damien Vaughn slid the property deeds, which he had already prepared, across to him.
"Cecelia Archer probably won’t believe it either. So, from here on out, you’ll do exactly as I say."

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