Chapter 163: Acknowledging the Ancestors and Returning to the Clan

Chapter 163: Chapter 163: Acknowledging the Ancestors and Returning to the Clan

Luke Lockwood’s expression was placid, showing no sign that he minded. "You get used to it after a while."

Before starting his business, he had always lived in rented rooms like this, barely scraping by on odd jobs. After more than twenty years of hardship, he had grown accustomed to it. Then, after his business took off, his success went to his head. He went through a phase of spending money like water, but in the end, his own arrogance and conceit knocked him right back to where he started.

In the time since he’d moved to Northolme, he often found himself thinking late at night of his days in Ashmore—of Vesper Grayson by his side as they struggled to build a business, crammed into a tiny rented room. They were poor back then, but there was always a light left on for him, always a warm meal she had prepared. Life was simple, yet full of warmth. It was the most peaceful time of his life.

He owned very little; a single small bag held all his worldly possessions.

Nancy Linton took him straight back to her villa.

He pushed open the main doors to reveal magnificent decor and a spacious, opulent living room. Every detail exuded sophistication and wealth, far more luxurious than the sprawling Repulse Bay apartment he had bought at the peak of his career—many times more, in fact.

"From now on, this is your home. Don’t be formal; you can do whatever you like," Nancy Linton told him gently, her heart aching with sorrow. ’If it weren’t for Kevin Hawthorne’s selfishness and cruelty, my son would have grown up in an environment like this, with the most privileged life imaginable.’

"Ma’am, you’ve returned," a maid said respectfully, emerging from the kitchen.

Nancy Linton looked at the maid and instructed, "Go and prepare the south-facing master bedroom on the third floor. From now on, Luke Lockwood is the young master of this house."

"Yes, Ma’am." The maid answered at once and hurried upstairs to prepare the room.

Kevin Hawthorne wasn’t back yet. Nancy Linton knew exactly why. ’He must be dealing with the mess Shirley Langley and her son, Aidan Hawthorne, have made.’

After more than twenty years of marriage, she knew Kevin Hawthorne all too well. The man was selfish and vicious, with eyes only for Shirley Langley. And yet, he was also the type who absolutely could not tolerate betrayal; he wouldn’t stand for the slightest deception.

’I’d love to see what a pathetic sight it is when he and Shirley Langley finally turn on each other!’

She poured Luke Lockwood a cup of hot tea and offered it to him.

"I’ll have someone send over some clothes that fit you in a bit. Rest well tonight. Tomorrow, I’m taking you to the Hawthorne Estate to meet the patriarch. We’ll also finalize the matter of your official recognition and entry into the family registry."

Only by being entered into the Hawthorne family registry could one be considered a truly legitimate heir.

’Thinking back, it felt absurd and deeply ironic. The only reason Aidan Hawthorne had been added to the registry was that she, coaxed by Kevin Hawthorne, had gone with him to grovel and beg the patriarch for what felt like an eternity.’

Luke Lockwood stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing out at the exquisite scenery of the courtyard, his thoughts in turmoil.

He pulled out his phone, wanting to send a message to Vesper Grayson. His fingers tapped at the screen, but he spent ages composing it, writing and deleting, then writing and deleting again. In the end, he couldn’t bring himself to send it.

「The next day」

Nancy Linton, unable to wait, took Luke Lockwood back to the family estate to be formally introduced. To her surprise, Aidan Hawthorne was also there.

When they arrived, he was kneeling ramrod straight before the patriarch.

"Grandfather, I’m begging you, please don’t cast me out of the Hawthorne Family. I grew up here. I’ve always thought of myself as a part of this family. I can’t bear to leave you!"

Zachary Hawthorne watched him with a blank expression. "Begging me is useless. The Hawthorne Family has raised you for many years; our obligation to you is fulfilled. We are already showing great mercy by not holding you accountable, considering you were young and unaware of the situation. If you continue to cause a scene, don’t blame us for disregarding any ties of the past."

’He’d never felt any particular affection for Aidan Hawthorne anyway, only seeing him occasionally at family gatherings.’

’If he hadn’t been worried that his daughter-in-law, having just lost her child, might be driven to do something drastic, he never would have agreed to the couple’s absurd request back then.’

’How could someone with no Hawthorne blood in their veins possibly be entered into the family registry?’

’It was utterly absurd.’

’Setting things right now was no bad thing.’

Aidan Hawthorne’s expression turned grim. He hadn’t expected the Hawthorne family to be so ruthless, each one colder than the last.

Even Kevin Hawthorne, the man who had doted on him his entire life, had turned on him instantly upon learning they weren’t related by blood, ready to kick him out of the family.

"Go. You’re on your own now."

The patriarch didn’t want to argue. In the past, Aidan had been sensible enough and hadn’t caused any major trouble.

"Father, I’ve brought Luke home."

Nancy Linton spoke, pulling Luke Lockwood forward and eagerly introducing him to the patriarch.

"This is my son, Luke Lockwood. Elias himself arranged for a DNA test, which proves he is indeed my son, the one who was stolen from me all those years ago."

As she spoke, she handed over the DNA report, not sparing Aidan Hawthorne a single glance the entire time, treating him as if he didn’t even exist.

Zachary Hawthorne took the report, glanced at it, and then let his gaze fall slowly upon Luke Lockwood’s face.

White shirt, black trousers. He stood tall, and his features were well-defined. He did indeed carry some of the Hawthorne family’s presence.

"Good. Since you’ve returned, live a good life with your mother from now on. She suffered a great deal looking for you all these years."

’Was that his way of acknowledging my identity?’

Facing the patriarch’s commanding presence, Luke Lockwood answered respectfully, "I understand, Grandfather."

"Mom..." Aidan Hawthorne stepped forward and grabbed Nancy Linton’s arm. "Are you really abandoning me?"

Now that Nancy Linton’s biological son had returned, he knew there was no hope of staying. But he couldn’t accept it. He wasn’t willing to just walk away and give up this staggering fortune!

Nancy Linton yanked her arm away, her tone cold. "I’m not your mother. Your mother is Shirley Langley."

’She had often wondered what she would do with Aidan Hawthorne if she ever found her biological son.’

’After all, he was still the boy she had raised with such care. Even though he wasn’t her blood and was adopted from an orphanage, she couldn’t have imagined just casting him out. She would have treated the two boys as equals, as brothers. But Aidan’s behavior had hurt her too deeply. He was an ungrateful viper; keeping him would be a liability.’

Aidan Hawthorne flinched. "You may not have given me life, but you gave me a home. I’ve always thought of you as my real mother. Please, don’t abandon me. I’ll be a good son to you, I promise."

’If she hadn’t personally overheard his conversation with Shirley Langley, she might have actually believed him. She might have even been moved by his words.’

"Stop pretending. I heard everything you and Shirley Langley said. You want to usurp what’s mine, take everything for yourselves, and team up to drive me out." Nancy Linton’s gaze was like ice. "That hypocritical act of yours... you’re just like your birth mother. It’s disgusting!"

Zachary Hawthorne waved a hand. Ian Bell called two men forward, who then ’escorted’ Aidan Hawthorne out.

He then gave orders that Aidan Hawthorne was never to be allowed in the estate again.

Aidan Hawthorne collapsed onto the concrete outside, his expression a mask of bitter resentment and rage.

’His dream of a rich and powerful life... shattered, just like that!’

That very day, Aidan Hawthorne was struck from the Hawthorne family registry. A public announcement was made severing all ties between him and the Hawthorne Family.

Luke Lockwood was entered into the family registry, his name officially changed to: Liam Hawthorne!