Chapter 462: Going Home for Dinner

This was probably the hardest time Zeke Walton had ever endured in his entire life.

Amina couldn’t imagine how much he was suffering in there. Her only thought was to get him out as soon as possible.

That meant she had to pay the woman the one million as soon as possible.

Amina had a fierce sense of pride. When she was broke, she would rather starve than ask for help. But for Zeke Walton, she was considering the idea of borrowing money from someone.

However, she didn’t know many people—only Faye Fisher and Cecelia Archer.

They were both beautiful, kind-hearted people who would help no matter what. But in the end, Amina chose Cecelia Archer.

It wasn’t that she looked down on Faye Fisher; she just knew that Faye had also married into her current life from out of town.

Although she was the daughter-in-law of a wealthy family, she didn’t have a job of her own. Asking her for such a large sum would put her in a difficult position.

But Cecelia Archer was different.

Her husband was the wealthiest man in all of Veridia, and she had her own career as well.

She gathered her courage and called Cecelia Archer.

The moment she heard Cecelia’s voice, it was like hearing an angel, and her own voice immediately caught in a sob.

“Cecelia…”

Damien Vaughn was in a meeting and had left his phone in his office. When Cecelia Archer couldn’t reach him, she simply burst into the conference room.

The project manager was in the middle of a presentation when she walked in. Everyone shot subtle glances toward Damien Vaughn.

Damien looked at Cecelia with a surprised expression as well.

‘What’s gotten into her, coming to find me so openly during work hours?’

“What’s wrong?”

Cecelia didn’t answer him, addressing everyone instead.

“My apologies. I have something urgent to discuss with President Vaughn. Damien, do you want to reschedule, or…?”

“Please continue. I’ll just step out for a moment.”

Damien Vaughn took her hand and led her out of the room.

Thinking something was wrong, he raised a hand to her belly.

“What is it? Is the baby acting up? Do you not feel well?”

Cecelia swatted his hand away.

“I’m only a little over a month along. The baby is just a little bean sprout, how could it be acting up? I came to find you because of Zeke Walton.”

“Zeke? What happened to him?”

After Cecelia finished explaining, Damien Vaughn’s brow furrowed deeply.

“I can get him out, sure, but have you thought about the future? He’s always so impulsive, acting without thinking of the consequences. He has no ability to stand on his own two feet. No one can help him forever. What’s he going to do then?”

Cecelia said, “He was immature before, I’ll grant you that. He didn’t understand how hard life can be. But after everything that’s happened recently, especially being locked up this time, I’m sure he’ll reflect on it and change. Stop giving me a lecture and just come with me.”

Damien Vaughn didn’t move.

“It’s not that I don’t want to help him. It’s just that… Cecelia, don’t call me heartless. I genuinely believe this setback will be a good learning experience for Zeke. One million isn’t that much. He’s perfectly capable of handling this on his own; there’s no need for me to intervene. He’s going to have to support his elders and raise his children someday—be the pillar of his family. If he can’t even weather a small storm like this…”

She had to admit he had a point, but Cecelia was still angry.

“Why shouldn’t I think you’re heartless? You are being heartless! One million isn’t a lot to you, and it wouldn’t have been a lot to the old Zeke, but it’s a huge amount for them now. What’s wrong with helping him? Is it going to kill you? Or are you just scared Uncle Walton will come and yell at you? Or maybe you’re afraid Zeke won’t be able to pay you back? As a businessman, you don’t want to make a losing investment? Fine. Since you’re so stingy, I’ll go myself! I don’t need your help. I’ll offer two million to get them to sign the settlement and release Zeke immediately! I refuse to believe I can’t get things done without you!”

With that, Cecelia stormed off, but Damien quickly caught her in an embrace.

“God, anyone else can misunderstand me, anyone else can say things like that, but how can you? Cecelia, we’ve been married for so long, and now we’re even expecting our second child. You know full well…”

Whether it was the pregnancy hormones or her deep empathy for Amina, Cecelia suddenly burst into tears.

“Have you ever stopped to think about why Zeke is in this position? It’s because he loves Amina and doesn’t want to be apart from her!”

“Look across all of Veridia—no, across the entire circle of wealthy heirs in the oriental world! Which one of them would abandon a life of luxury for a poor, struggling girl like he did? How about you? Could you renounce your status as Young Mr. Vaughn and go sell fruit to survive for Amina?”

“I know it’s unfair of me to say that, but I’m just so afraid. I’m terrified this one million will crush them and tear two people who love each other apart. I’ve been through hardship myself, so I understand Amina perfectly. Zeke is in this mess because of her, and her pain and guilt are heavier than anyone else’s. If we don’t help her, her only option is to go beg Uncle Walton. Is that what you want? Will you only be happy once you see her leave Zeke?”

Damien Vaughn’s heart pounded with fear as he wiped away her tears.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I was being a typical clueless guy. I’m an idiot. I was being heartless and wasn’t thinking about the emotional side of things. You’re right. You’re absolutely right. Zeke is braver than anyone when it comes to love, and that’s admirable. Of course I don’t want them to break up. Come on, come on, let’s go help them right now.”

Cecelia Archer and Damien Vaughn went and personally got Zeke Walton out.

When Zeke saw Amina standing at the entrance with the two of them, there was no joy on his face—only exhaustion and embarrassment.

Damien knew this would be a blow to Zeke’s pride, so he didn’t say much and just got into the car.

Cecelia, however, walked up and took his hand.

“Amina and I come from similar backgrounds. You could even say mine was worse. When I first got together with Damien, I didn’t even know Candy was his daughter. An unmarried woman with little education, no power, and no connections, trying to be with President Vaughn while raising a child… you know better than anyone how much criticism and pressure Damien faced. But we held on, and we made it in the end. You two can, too.”

“Zeke, don’t lose faith over this. If you need anything at all in the future, call me right away. I’m rooting for you two.”

The moment he saw Damien Vaughn, Zeke braced himself for a lecture.

He knew that a man like Damien would surely chew him out for being impulsive and reckless, telling him he deserved to be in this mess. He’d say it was the mark of an irresponsible and unreliable man.

But Damien didn’t say a word, and Cecelia offered such comforting words. Zeke’s dejected spirit was immensely lifted.

“You’re really rooting for us? You really think that?”

Cecelia replied, “Of course. In this world, the only things that can separate two people who truly love each other are death and sickness. Nothing else. As long as you two are sincere in your love, I don’t think anything can stop you. So what if you lost a million? For someone born into a family of entrepreneurs like you, what’s that little bit of money? As long as you’re willing to work hard, you’ll be back on your feet in no time.”

Zeke then turned to Amina.

“Amina, you don’t blame me either? You still have faith in me?”

“Of course!”

Amina took his hand, her gaze full of devotion.

“How could I ever blame you? No matter what you do, I believe you have your reasons. I’ll always support you.”

“You probably didn’t eat well in there, did you? Are you hungry? I made you some dumplings. Let’s go home and eat.”