Chapter 15 Dare to Block Me? Try It!
Xyleria, the Harriman family estate.
Ten days he had passed since Gabriel's mysterious disappearance following his car accident.
Three days ago, Michael Harriman had risen from his sickbed and driven to the mountain road where Gabriel's accident occurred. Shaky and leaning on a cane, he stood there the entire afternoon. He even braved a downpour that day, refusing to listen to anyone's persuasion. He just stood there, staring at the lush treeline below the cliff, not saying a single word. It wasn't until late that he was finally coaxed back home by the butler.
No one in the Harriman family dared mention in his presence that Gabriel might actually be gone. Still, seeing Michael at the crash site all day on the seventh day after the accident, it was clear that in his heart, he knew his most cherished grandson was no longer of this world.
His stubbornness was unyielding, and he vehemently denied the reality before him, his voice rising in defiance against the nurse who attempted to offer comfort. "Who dares claim my grandson is lost? If Gabriel doesn't return to care for me, I swear I'll hound him to the ends of the earth and give him a piece of my mind!"
Gabriel already had most of Pegasus Global Holdings' and the Harriman family's management rights. However, Michael was highly respected, and all branches of the family lineage followed his lead.
His illness caused a stir in almost the entire business community. Everyone was on edge, fearing he might pass away out of despair. With such a tragedy occurring, naturally, no one dared cross him. There were plenty of speculations and rumors swirling within the household, although most were careful not to voice them openly.
After being shouted at by Michael, the nurse left, and the door to the sick room closed and then opened again. It seemed someone fearless had entered once more.
Impatiently, Michael picked up a medicine bottle and hurled it toward the door: "Get out!"
Nicholas, quick and agile, caught the flying medicine bottle. After a swift glance outside the door, he came in and closed it. Walking towards the bed, he muttered, "Grandpa, if you keep getting this worked up, you might not make it to see my brother's return. Then you'll only have me to look after you in your old age, and you wouldn't be satisfied passing on with me by your side, right?"
Hearing this, Michael's twitch at the corner of his eye betrayed his anger, but he could vaguely sense there was more to Nicholas's words. His aged yet discerning eyes fixed a fierce stare directly at him.
Grandfather and grandson locked eyes for a moment, silent. To avoid eavesdroppers, Nicholas gestured with two fingers, curving one in a slight hook, and then mouthed the words: "My brother, not dead."
Michael stared intently at Nicholas, his gaze brightening after a moment.
Given the Harriman family's stature in the business community, they are held in high esteem. Still, even with the most sophisticated security systems, it was impossible to ensure that those closest didn't harbor other motives. Even this repeatedly checked hospital room couldn't guarantee the absence of listening devices.
Seeing that Michael understood, Nicholas flashed a smile, placed the medicine bottle he had just caught back beside the bed, and then resumed a carefree demeanor. It was as if he had just dropped by to exchange a few words with Michael, and he slipped out of the room.
Two hours earlier, Nicholas had received a call from an unknown number. Assuming it was another girl with a crush trying to track him on his cellphone, he hung up several times without answering. The persistent caller dialed again and again, and just as Nicholas was about to block the number, a text message came through.
[Try blocking me, dare you?]
When Nicholas saw the message, a chill ran down his spine. As the number lit up on the screen once again, he swiftly answered the phone: "Who's this?"
There was a short silence on the line, prompting Nicholas to glance up at the daylight sky and reassure himself that ghosts weren't possible.
