Chapter 617 The Game

Timothy glanced at Azure with a dark expression. “If you don’t want to stay here, you can leave anytime.”

According to the original plan, Timothy had only invited Christina and Nathaniel to have dinner together in order to mend their relationship.

He chose the Gibson residence because he wanted Christina and Nathaniel to go to the ancestral hall together after the meal.

This would send a signal to the outside world that the Gibson family and the Hadley family were about to reconcile.

Timothy didn’t disclose to anyone that Nathaniel was coming as a guest. Azure thought it was only Christina, so she had something else in mind. She wanted to seize the opportunity during the dinner to persuade Christina not to destroy Nigel’s family.

Even though Timothy and his family were at odds, and Azure had done unspeakable things, she was still his biological mother.

Timothy didn’t object to Azure’s proactive gestures, but it didn’t mean he would tolerate her unreasonable behavior.

Azure glared at Timothy resentfully but eventually held back her retort. She sat quietly at the head of the table and took a big gulp of red wine as if she was venting her frustration.

“Father, I brought Nathaniel back with me to have dinner. These are the supplements we bought for you.” Christina remained unaffected by Azure.

“Mr. Gibson, Mrs. Lazuli, apologies for disturbing you tonight.” Nathaniel handed the gift he was carrying to the butler behind him and greeted Timothy without changing his expression.

At the present moment, the relationship between the Gibson family and the Hadley family was rather ambiguous. However, the truth had not yet been clarified, and before Nathaniel obtained Timothy’s approval, he wouldn’t neglect Timothy’s previous warning to him and the grudge against him.

Addressing Timothy as “Mr. Gibson” was also Nathaniel’s way of testing the waters.

As for his attitude toward Azure, it depended entirely on Christina.

Christina held some resentment toward Azure. After all, this woman knew the truth but chose to conceal it for her own selfish reasons.

Nevertheless, Christina hadn’t completely severed ties with Azure yet. She was willing to sit at the same table with Azure out of respect for Timothy..

Timothy studied Nathaniel. “Don’t just stand there. We are a family now. There’s no need to act so restrained in front of me.

Please sit down. If we wait any longer, the food will get cold.”

Nathaniel pulled out the chair for Christina and took a seat beside her. Azure glanced at the affectionate couple with disdainful eyes.

Soon, the butler instructed the housekeepers to bring the food, filling up the large table.

The atmosphere at the dining table was not harmonious, but it was not overly tense either. Halfway through the dinner, Azure asked Christina in a sarcastic tone, “I heard that you went to your uncle’s house today and drove Anya and her mother out of the mansion. Is it true that you want to sue your uncle for illegal appropriation too?”

Christina put down her fork and looked calmly at Azure.

“That’s right. More than half of what their family had been enjoying actually belongs to my family. In the past, when I wasn’t around, my parents took their relationship as siblings into account and helped them. That lasted for over twenty years, so I believe that we have fulfilled our obligations.”

She continued, “It was Uncle Nigel and his family’s own wrongdoings that led them to this predicament. Now that I’m around, it is only right for me to take back what my family had given them. Besides, regardless of what they had done for Gibson Corporation during the years they managed it, the fact that Uncle Nigel is not a true descendant of the Gibson family gives me the right to make any decisions for the Gibson family.”

As soon as Christina finished speaking, her gaze toward Azure became sharper and more probing. It was accompanied by a cold smile.

“What’s the matter? Since they can’t get what they want from me and my father, are they targeting you instead? You’re getting on in years and should be enjoying your retirement. Let them deal with their troubles. If they have any complaints, they can come to me.”

Azure was caught off guard by Christina’s countermove. Clearly infuriated, she glared at Christina as her chest heaved.

“Christina, you haven’t officially taken over the Gibson family, yet now you’re already acting high and mighty in front of me. It seems like you’ve never liked me from the beginning. Have you been planning to kick me out of the Gibson residence along with them?”

“I’ve never said that before. It is up to you whether you want to stay in the Gibson residence or go elsewhere.”

“Hmph, let me make it clear today. I won’t leave the Gibson residence. This is the property my husband left me. I suggest you leave immediately. You are not welcome here!”

Nathaniel stood up alongside Christina. His gaze was icy as he said, “Since you don’t welcome Christina and me, Mrs. Lazuli, we’ll leave first. Mr. Gibson, sorry for the inconvenience. We’ll take our leave now.”“

Just then, the silent Timothy spoke up. “Jasper, go to the ancestral hall and take the memorial urn of my wife with you. Pack up the things in my room as soon as possible and send them all to Rose Gardens.”

“Very well.” Jasper walked out from the corner and headed to the ancestral hall in the backyard.

Azure looked at Timothy in disbelief. “Are you abandoning me, your own mother, for this wretched girl?”

Timothy’s voice was solemn. “It’s you who doesn’t want to acknowledge us. From now on, I will continue to deposit your allowance into your account. You only need to take care of your own affairs. It’s better if you don’t interfere with anything else.”

His words contained a subtle but dangerous warning.

Seeing Timothy’s resolute attitude, Azure spoke without restraint. “Fine. If you dare to walk out that door with that memorial urn, don’t bother coming back in the future. I’ll take it that I never had a son like you!”

Timothy clenched the armrest of his wheelchair and moved toward Christina’s side. “Let’s go.”

Nathaniel moved behind him and reached out to push the wheelchair toward the door, and Timothy didn’t object.

The three of them got into the car, and soon Jasper walked over to the back seat of the car with a bundle wrapped in cloth. Then, he passed it to Timothy through the window.

“Mr. Gibson, this is Mrs. Gibson’s memorial urn.”

“Drive.”

Timothy received it and held it tightly in his arms as if embracing a precious treasure.

Christina and Nathaniel then accompanied Timothy back to Rose Gardens.

Timothy was worried that the two of them hadn’t eaten enough at the Gibson residence, so he instructed the cook to prepare a table full of delicious dishes.

Christina enjoyed her meal with delight, while Nathaniel took a few bites and then paused to serve her.

Timothy held less resentment toward Nathaniel now. “Mr. Hadley, come with me to the study for a moment. Christina can continue eating.”

Curiosity sparked in Christina’s eyes as she watched them leave. Timothy explained, “I need to discuss something with him. I won’t do anything to him.”

Nathaniel said, “Eating too much seafood is bad for you now. Don’t eat too much. Remember to drink the soup and have some bread, or you’ll get hungry later.”

Christina nodded and watched the two of them enter the study on the first floor.

She was curious about their conversation, so as soon as they left, she lost her appetite. She quickly finished the food in front of her, quietly approached the study door, and strained her ears to listen to the voices inside.

Timothy’s voice floated over to her through the closed door.

“I’m almost certain that Nigel is the mastermind behind the entire conspiracy...”