Chapter 311 Is This a Battlefield of Carnage?
Xyleria, the Harriman family.
It was New Year's Day, and the Harriman household was buzzing more than usual.
Gabriel's parents have been living abroad for ages. But last night, his mom, Imogen Cooper, came back home, bringing along her adopted daughter, Kimberly, who she's doted on for years.
"Kimberly's been studying management in Y Country for two years. The business school at Xyleria A University is pretty famous abroad too. She got picked as an exchange student to study here for a year. I didn't want her to come back alone. Kimberly grew up with us but has never been here. So, I decided to come back and stay with her for a couple of months before heading out again," Imogen explained with a smile, chatting with Michael in the reception hall.
Michael glanced at the young girl Gabriel's parents had adopted over a decade ago and tapped his coffee cup. "How old is Kimberly now?"
Imogen smiled. "She's twenty-two, same age as Nicholas, just a few months younger."
"Got it." Michael took a sip of his coffee, then looked at Kimberly, who sat quietly and obediently. "She's a pretty and polite girl. You and Benjamin did a good job raising her."
Kimberly smiled sweetly. "Grandpa Michael, even though I'm adopted, Mom and Dad have been very good to me, but they're also pretty strict."
"Being strict isn't bad. You can't just spoil your kids; family education is crucial, especially for character. It's a valuable lesson," Michael said, glancing at the well-behaved girl, then turning to Fred, who stood silently nearby.
Fred smiled too. "Mr. Harriman is right."
"But..." Michael suddenly spoke again, "Gabriel and Nicholas, your two biological sons, you really have been too absent in their lives. I raised both those kids with an iron fist. The bond of parental affection is really too thin."
"Grandpa Michael, actually, Mom and Dad talk about Gabriel and Nicholas every day in Y Country," Kimberly said softly.
"What's the use of just talking about them?" Michael's smile faded. Kimberly, after all, wasn't his biological granddaughter. He hadn't seen her in years. Although she was adopted and bore the Harriman name, Michael had already given her the courtesy she deserved. As for more matters of the Harriman family, he didn't like outsiders meddling.
"Benjamin and I aren't heartless. It's just that back then, because of Simon's issues, we really had no interest in the power struggles within the Harriman family. Moving to Y Country was indeed impulsive, but after living there for so many years, our focus has always been there. Fortunately, Gabriel hasn't let you down," Imogen said, trying to smooth things over, seeing that Michael wasn't particularly close to Kimberly.
Nicholas had just driven into the Harriman family's front yard. When he got out of the car, he saw Gabriel's car had also arrived. He walked over and casually knocked on the car window. When the person in the black Bentley got out, he glanced at Gabriel, "Did you go to the airport last night? Mom suddenly brought back that adopted daughter and called us over. What's the deal? I heard Kimberly Harriman is going to study management at Xyleria for a year?"
Gabriel didn't say a word and headed inside. Nicholas raised an eyebrow, shoved a hand in his pocket, and followed.
Just outside the reception hall, they caught snippets of conversation. Nicholas, who had traveled between M Country and abroad for years, had never been to Y Country.He wanted nothing to do with his supposed family. He knew he had a sister, but barely acknowledged her existence.. Now, suddenly, there was an extra sister in the house. Imogen's presence felt awkward and strange. He glanced at Gabriel, who had shown no extra expression since returning.
It seemed Gabriel had heard something unpleasant from Imogen at the airport last night. Otherwise, given Gabriel's nature as the eldest son and his usual demeanor in the Harriman family, no matter how distant he felt inside, he would at least maintain a polite and respectful facade. But now, Gabriel's cold demeanor and obvious sense of distance were unmistakable.
Seeing Gabriel and Nicholas return, Michael's face finally showed a genuine smile. "It's rare for all of you to come back and spend New Year's with me. Gabriel, why didn't you bring Jessica back with you?"
"She has work today and couldn't get away. She'll come to see you tomorrow," Gabriel replied, his gaze barely lingering on Imogen and Kimberly as he entered.
"Who's Jessica?" Imogen asked sharply, looking at Michael and then at Gabriel.
Nicholas, standing nearby with his hands in his pockets, didn't bother to speak. However, he noticed Kimberly's expression as she couldn't help but look at Gabriel when he entered. This wasn't just an adopted daughter; it was clearly a favored future daughter-in-law.
Was this a showdown?
Michael's smile deepened when he heard that Jessica would come to see him tomorrow. He turned to Imogen and said, "What? Gabriel hasn't told you? That's his girlfriend. She came over for my birthday. She's very likable in both personality and appearance."
The important thing was that even though she had a low tolerance for alcohol, she insisted on drinking with him to make him happy. When Gabriel carried her away, she was still drunkenly insisting on drinking with Michael. She was adorable.
"Really? How likable?" Imogen's expression changed slightly upon hearing that Gabriel had a girlfriend. "Gabriel now holds the lifeline of the Harriman family. The woman by his side should be someone we know well, who understands business management, can help him, and is well-mannered."
Nicholas chuckled but said nothing.
Gabriel glanced at Imogen but didn't speak. Michael, however, spoke first, "I'm choosing a granddaughter-in-law, not a secretary for Gabriel. The Harriman Group has plenty of capable people. Whether she understands business management is not important. Since they're aiming for marriage, family harmony and sincerity are the most important. Over the years, I've seen many well-bred young ladies. They all seem refined and well-mannered, but they're so pretentious that they can't even say a kind word. What's the use of that?"
Imogen shot Michael a surprised look. "Dad, you've really come a long way."
""Had to," he said. "My old ways wouldn't fly with these two sons of yours."
“I even use WhatsApp and post on social media. Can you do that?" Michael said proudly, raising an eyebrow at Imogen.
Imogen was speechless.
