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Chapter_262
James snorted coldly, the bitterness between him and Harrison hanging thick in the air, as if years of unresolved conflict had never truly been put to rest. Harrison, however, seemed unfazed. He casually tossed the cigarette he’d been holding to Nash, unbothered by James’ icy demeanor.
Lauren, after sharing a heartfelt embrace with Yvonne, seemed to recall James’ presence and quickly greeted him, “James, it’s been a long time!”
James’ frosty expression thawed slightly at the familiar greeting. “It’s been more than 20 years, so yes, it has been a while,” he replied, his voice still carrying an edge of coldness.
Yvonne, rubbing her stomach in a playful, exaggerated manner, turned to Hera with a pout. “Hera, I’m so hungry!”
Hera smiled warmly, genuinely fond of her younger cousin. “If you’re hungry, let’s go eat!”
It wasn’t long before Harrison chimed in, “Let’s eat out. It’s probably too late for anyone to start cooking now.” He reached for his phone, clearly planning to book a restaurant.
Nash, however, smiled and interjected, “I’ve reserved a private room at the Chateau Hotel. Let’s eat there!”
His words instantly caught everyone’s attention. The Chateau Hotel was known for its exclusivity, and the fact that Nash had a reservation there hinted at a certain level of status. Nash knew that this was an opportunity to make a good impression, especially with Hera’s family.
“The Chateau Hotel?” James was momentarily taken aback. His sharp eyes flickered with recognition. “It seems the Lewises have done quite well these past years.”
Growing up in Capiton, James was well aware of the high standard of those who dined at such an upscale establishment. His voice carried a tinge of begrudging respect as he acknowledged Nash’s choice.
Harrison began to explain, “Actually, the membership card belongs to Nash—”
“We should get going. Yvonne is already hungry, so let’s hurry over!” Nash quickly cut in, subtly redirecting the conversation and protecting their dignity in front of his in-laws.
Harrison understood Nash’s intent. With such a son-in-law, what more could one ask for? The entire family headed toward the Chateau Hotel, with James and Yvonne in Lauren’s car, and Nash and Harrison driving together in Hera’s car. Nash took the wheel, his focus on the road while the others settled into the back.
As they left the villa behind, Lauren made a quick stop to fetch her second brother, Liam Mare. After a brief exchange, all three cars made their way to the Chateau Hotel.
In the car, Hera couldn’t contain her curiosity. “Dad, who exactly is Uncle James? He’s quite rude!”
Harrison chuckled softly but his eyes darkened with a touch of old regret. “It’s a long story…”
Hera listened intently as her father began recounting a tale she had never heard before. “When your grandfather was young and starting his business, he faced several assassination attempts. Fortunately, he managed to survive each time. There was one occasion when his car was hanging on the edge of a cliff, and his loyal driver jumped off to lighten the car’s weight, saving your grandfather’s life.”
Hera gasped at the story, her eyes wide. “That’s incredible.”
“Yeah, well, that driver was James’ father. After the accident, James was left alone, and your grandfather took him in as his adoptive son. Your grandfather had three sons and two daughters. Your mother was the fourth child. The youngest, however, passed away from leukemia.”
Hera frowned, listening intently as her father continued, “James wasn’t academically inclined, and he didn’t want to live a mediocre life under your grandfather’s roof. So, your grandfather spent a lot of money to train him, to help him carve out his own path.”
Hera turned to Nash, who had been silently listening while driving, but her curiosity was still piqued. “Then what happened?”
“When James returned from his training, your mother was about to marry me,” Harrison explained. “Your grandfather asked James to bring her back, but instead, he came to Jonford and caused a scene at our wedding. When he found out your mother was pregnant, he drank heavily and, in a drunken rage, beat me up!”
Hera’s jaw dropped. “Did you fight back? Did he eventually let you two be?”
Harrison sighed, his voice tinged with wry humor. “At the time, our family’s assets were less than two million, and the Mares had nearly 300 million. How could we dare offend anyone from the Mare family? Your mother slapped him to bring him to his senses, and when he finally gave his blessing, he left. If he hadn’t backed down, we wouldn’t have had a choice. You probably wouldn’t even be here!”
Hera was stunned, the weight of her father’s words sinking in. James had been a martial arts grandmaster back then—strong enough to demand anything he wished. The fact that her mother had to slap him to make him relent was shocking.
“But James wasn’t all bad,” Harrison continued. “His father was kind to your grandfather, and he showed kindness to me and your mother. So, whatever he says, just try not to take it to heart, you and Nash.”
As they spoke, the car pulled into the Chateau Hotel. When Liam exited his car, he greeted James and Yvonne, offering them a polite nod before turning to Harrison and Hera with a warm greeting of his own. The tension from earlier still lingered, but it was clear that this family was bound by more than just blood—it was their shared history that would continue to shape their interactions, for better or worse.