CHAPTER 168: CHAPTER 168: NATHANIEL GALLAGHER ARC (CONCLUSION)

Nathaniel Gallagher gazed at her with tender affection.

Yes.

Her features weren’t as beautiful as they were in her youth.

But what does that matter?

Beauty is at his fingertips.

With just a curl of his finger, countless top beauties would strip bare, kneel at his feet, and beg like dogs.

But true love...is so rare.

As are the golden years they have shared together through thick and thin, life and death.

No one else can replace her.

Even Josephine Thompson was just a particularly special passerby in his life.

Moreover, she wasn’t so unwaveringly in love with him. At least her love was not a tenth of Eleanor’s.

So...

Let her go if she wants to go.

He wants to cherish the person in front of him.

"Have you finished eating? Do you want some more soup?"

"No need." Eleanor Churchill put down her chopsticks coldly, standing up silently.

Then she hobbled towards the bedroom.

Before, she had longed every night for him to stay.

Thinking he was still infatuated with her body like before.

However...

After several failed attempts in bed.

She finally understood.

It was not that he was incapable in that aspect, he simply despised her now.

So, there was no need to humiliate herself any longer.

"Eleanor..." Nathaniel Gallagher hurriedly stood up.

Eleanor Churchill said coldly, "You should go back!"

Nathaniel Gallagher walked over and hugged her from behind, "Where do you want me to go?"

Eleanor Churchill’s brows furrowed as she struggled, "Nathaniel Gallagher, there’s no need to force yourself."

"I’ve also said, I can pick up and let go. Wanting to marry you has always been my obsession for a long time."

"Now, that obsession has been resolved. There’s nothing to regret anymore. You don’t need to keep feigning affection, it just makes me feel worse..."

Before she could finish speaking.

Nathaniel Gallagher bent down, picked her up horizontally, and headed straight for the bedroom.

Eleanor Churchill was startled and instinctively resisted, "Alright, stop making a fuss."

"I know you despise me, you don’t have to pretend you’re not capable! I won’t force you..."

Nathaniel Gallagher’s expression was stubborn, his tone carrying a hint of madness, "Tonight, I’ll show you if I’m capable or not!"

He wasn’t capable?

Ridiculous!

Utterly laughable.

He actually thought of staying celibate for Josephine Thompson before.

In retrospect, he must have been out of his mind.

Being heartbroken over a woman who doesn’t love him is truly absurd.

They entered the bedroom.

He pressed her heavily onto the bed.

An overwhelming, domineering kiss ensued.

Eleanor Churchill’s mind blanked out; she was kissed so much she could barely breathe.

She struggled a bit.

In the end, she still held onto his neck tightly.

The dark room was ablaze with passion...

...

An hour later.

The storm ceased.

Eleanor Churchill, nestled in his firm embrace, fell into a deep sleep from exhaustion.

Nathaniel Gallagher gently stroked her hair, kissing her forehead.

Going to bed...

Isn’t it just that?

Once the lights are off.

It’s all almost the same.

As long as he doesn’t intentionally think of Josephine Thompson, there’s nothing significant.

...

The morning.

The dawn light, filtering through the thin curtains, cast mottled shadows on the floor.

When Nathaniel Gallagher woke up.

Eleanor Churchill was still asleep, her eyelashes casting a faint shadow under her eyelids, her complexion softer than the night before.

He watched quietly for a while, then reached out to tuck in the quilt for her. His fingers accidentally touched that faint scar on her back waist.

It was left from when she shielded him from a steel bar in those years.

He paused, feeling as if something gently touched his heart.

"Eleanor, it’s time to get up."

Eleanor Churchill awoke, her face showing affection and shyness, "...How...how were you able to last night?"

When Nathaniel Gallagher heard this, he felt even more guilty, "I’m sorry!"

"From now on, I’ll be a good husband."

"..." Eleanor Churchill looked at him with deep affection in her eyes, never having enough of gazing.

"Get up! Later, I want to take you to pay respects to Mother and visit the ancestral hall to honor the ancestors."

Upon hearing this, Eleanor Churchill looked a bit worried, "But, your mother doesn’t like me..."

"Don’t worry, we are officially married now. She has to accept it whether she likes it or not."

"I’ll protect you, and won’t allow anyone to hurt you."

"Nathan!" Eleanor Churchill leaned tenderly against his chest, moved to tears.

No matter what.

The words he once spoke, he still fulfilled.

Such a man.

Truly a contradiction in itself.

He clearly loves to lie so much.

But he takes promises very seriously.

As long as it’s something he has promised, he will definitely fulfill it.

"Get up, it’s getting late."

"Okay."

When washing up.

Nathaniel Gallagher stared blankly at himself in the mirror for a while.

The person in the mirror had deep-set eyes, was incredibly handsome.

Still the image others flocked to, yet only he knew how hollow those days filled with desire and ambition had been.

From now on, he would focus on his family.

To love and cherish his wife and child well.

And finally, their family was reunited.

...

At ten in the morning.

The Gallagher’s old mansion.

Nathaniel Gallagher drove Eleanor Churchill back to the old mansion.

Before coming, he had already informed Mrs. Gallagher.

At this moment.

Mrs. Gallagher sat on the sofa in the living room, feeling forlorn and distressed.

"Sigh... huh... sigh..."

"It’s a misfortune, truly a family misfortune indeed."

Mrs. Gallagher kept sighing.

No matter how much she objected.

Her son still married that shrew.

She nearly fainted from anger.

What’s even more frustrating.

That shrew even dared to lay hands on her, the mother-in-law.

The butler could only continuously reassure her, "Ma’am, please cheer up! President Gallagher and the young madam are here to pay their respects, it’s a happy occasion."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Gallagher glared at him fiercely.

The butler felt a tight squeeze in his chest and quickly closed his mouth.

The maid reported, "Madam, President Gallagher and the young madam have arrived."

"Madam, things have already come to this. Even if you oppose, it’s useless. You might as well happily accept the young mistress."

"Sigh." Mrs. Gallagher swallowed her frustration.

When Nathaniel Gallagher led Eleanor Churchill into the living room.

Mrs. Gallagher’s sigh stopped abruptly.

At the same time, her expression instantly darkened, and her gaze, as cold as ice, swept over Eleanor, filled with undisguised aversion.

"Mom."

Nathaniel’s voice was steady as he pulled Eleanor in front of him, "Eleanor is here to offer you tea."

The servants had already prepared the tea.

According to tradition, Eleanor picked up the teacup, her fingertips trembling slightly, and softly said, "Mom, please have some tea."

Mrs. Gallagher sat poised in her seat.

She turned her head away, not even lifting an eyelid, causing the air in the living room to freeze instantly.

Eleanor’s hand, holding the teacup, stalled mid-air, her complexion turning a shade paler.

She had anticipated this outcome.

However, it didn’t matter.

She loved Nathaniel, not his mother.

If Mrs. Gallagher accepted her as a daughter-in-law.

She would fulfill her duties as one.

If she made things difficult for her, she wouldn’t indulge Mrs. Gallagher either.

"Mom." Nathaniel’s voice grew heavier, carrying an undeniable firmness, "Eleanor is now your daughter-in-law, my wife, and, more importantly, Henny’s mom. Now that our family is reunited, you should be happy."

After he finished speaking.

He took the teacup from Eleanor’s hand and directly handed it to Mrs. Gallagher, with rare firmness in his tone: "If you don’t accept this cup of tea, it means you don’t acknowledge me as your son either."

Mrs. Gallagher turned her head abruptly to glare at him, her eyes turning red, "Nathaniel! Are you going to turn against your mother for this woman?"

"I’m not turning against you, just stating facts." Nathaniel looked at her, his eyes filled with guilt yet also firm, "If it weren’t for Eleanor, the Gallagher Family would have collapsed long ago. The sacrifices she made for this family are not less than anyone else’s. Even if you don’t like her, you should at least remember this debt."

He paused.

He put an arm around Eleanor’s shoulder, feeling her body tremble slightly from his palm, his heart softening, "Besides, she’s the only wife I’ll ever recognize. Without her, you would have no son, let alone a grandson."

Mrs. Gallagher was left speechless by his words.

Upon reflection, it was true.

If not for Eleanor’s wholehearted efforts for the Gallagher Family back then. She wouldn’t be enjoying her current good life today.

Even with full reluctance.

She still frowned, picked up the teacup, and sipped lightly.

Simultaneously, she subtly signaled to the butler with her eyes.

The butler, understanding her meaning, immediately handed the prepared red envelope and meeting gift to Eleanor.

"Young Mistress, this is a red envelope and the ancestral jade bracelet from Madam."

Eleanor’s eyes lit up as she hurriedly accepted them, "Thank you, Mom."

Mrs. Gallagher turned her head, her voice muffled, "Alright, stand up."

Nathaniel tightened his hold on her hand and softly said, "Thank you, Mom."

Mrs. Gallagher did not respond, only instructed the butler, "Prepare lunch in the kitchen."

With that, she got up and walked towards the inner hall.

As she passed by Eleanor, her steps halted briefly, but in the end, she refrained from saying anything unpleasant.

The atmosphere in the living room eased a bit.

Eleanor turned her head to look at Nathaniel, a hint of a smile in her eyes. He squeezed her hand back and kissed her forehead.

During lunchtime.

Mrs. Gallagher no longer put on a stern face, though she didn’t eat much.

Nathaniel naturally served Eleanor, picking out the tenderest part of the fish belly for her and peeling shrimp to place in her bowl, as if he had done it countless times.

"Henny will be back this weekend; let him spend more time with you." He suddenly spoke, his tone light-hearted.

Eleanor was briefly stunned, then nodded, "Okay."

It had been many days since she last saw Henny.

She missed him, but not terribly.

After all, she hadn’t given birth to Henny herself, so she couldn’t feel the mother-child bond.

...

After the meal.

Nathaniel took her to the Gallagher Family’s ancestral shrine.

Sunlight filtered through the carved window lattice, falling on the ancestral tablets, with dust floating in the beams of light.

Nathaniel lit incense, handed a stick to Eleanor, and the two knelt side by side.

"Ancestors, Dad."

His voice was solemn, "Nathaniel Gallagher and his wife, Eleanor, pay respects to our ancestors. From this day forward, we promise to be of one mind and spirit, to protect The Gallagher Family, to nurture our descendants, and to honor the blessings of our ancestors."

Eleanor Churchill followed suit, bowing her head, her forehead pressed against the cold mat, her eyes suddenly warmed.

The grievances and struggles of these years seemed to find a home at this moment.

At last, they could stand together openly, officially united as husband and wife.

When she dies.

She could also be buried with him honestly, sharing life and death.

As they left the ancestral hall.

Nathaniel Gallagher held her hand, his palm warm and dry.

"Let’s head back. I’ll take you to pick up Henny this afternoon."

"From now on, I’ll bring Henny to be with you more often so you two can develop a closer bond."

Eleanor Churchill smiled, the fine lines at the corners of her eyes smoothing out: "Alright, I’ll do as you say."

The two found the harmony of the past, acting in concert as husband and wife.

Nathaniel Gallagher also made an effort to control himself, avoiding thoughts of Josephine Thompson and memories of their time together.

He had to force himself to let go.

Body and mind returned to Eleanor Churchill.

At the same time.

The news of Nathaniel Gallagher’s marriage to Eleanor Churchill caused an uproar online.

The whole population of Audenburg was taken aback.

[Breaking! Nathaniel Gallagher’s second wife is actually Eleanor Churchill]

[The strongest older sister-younger brother relationship, Nathaniel Gallagher and Eleanor Churchill’s secret romance lasted fifteen years]

[The fall of former Audenburg’s number one socialite, vanished without a trace, Josephine Thompson’s whereabouts a mystery]

[Josephine Thompson engulfed in heartbreak, selling off all properties and businesses in Audenburg, fleeing abroad]

The online discussions exploded.

Social media platforms were abuzz with this marriage, comments flooding in like waves, creating a lively and noisy scene:

Numerous shocked and gossip-hungry netizens:

"I rubbed my eyes, am I seeing this right? Nathaniel Gallagher married Eleanor Churchill? That legendary woman who could take on ten men at once, the ’big sister of Audenburg’? This is such a mismatch!"

"Four years ago, it was all about his ’epic romance’ with Josephine Thompson everywhere. How long has it been and he’s changed partners? Love in the elite class really turns faster than flipping a book!"

"A secret romance of fifteen years? Oh my god, that’s so well-hidden! So Josephine Thompson was the ’latecomer’? This plot is even more dramatic than a soap opera at primetime!"

Insiders digging into the past eagerly provided revelations:

"Speaking of which, Eleanor Churchill was really tough back in the day, there was a time when Nathaniel Gallagher was set up by opponents, and she led people to crash in and save him, got shot in the back, and was down for half a month before recovering."

"But Eleanor Churchill also used to be quite ruthless, the big shot who competed with her for territory back then, later disappeared without a trace... Nathaniel Gallagher dares to bring such a woman home, isn’t he afraid of losing sleep at night?"

Faction camps tearing each other apart:

"Poor Josephine Thompson, elevated so high, only to be discarded abruptly. Indeed, there is no true love in the elite, only interests."

"Eleanor Churchill is now old and limping, what does Nathaniel Gallagher see in her? Her fighting skills?"

"Because she sold her property during a near-bankruptcy crisis to save you, because she took a blade for you! Some people, other than sipping coffee gracefully, what else can they do?"

- Rational analysts as bystanders:

"Nathaniel Gallagher isn’t driven by romance; every decision he makes is calculated. But to say there’s no emotion at all is impossible; after fifteen years, even a stone would warm up."

"Josephine Thompson’s sudden disappearance must not be simple; she might have been ’dealt with’ by Nathaniel Gallagher. Behind such a level of broken marriage alliance, trades are inevitable."

- Netizens joking and making memes:

"I suggest making a movie about the Gallagher story, titled ’The Redemption of the Big Shot: My Wife Is the Big Sister’, a sure box office hit."

"Will Gallagher family gatherings now require body searches in advance? Afraid Eleanor Churchill might randomly pick up a bottle and smash it (dog head for protection)."

"Suddenly want to see Eleanor Churchill teaching Henny boxing, just imagining that scene is thrilling, and no one in school would dare bully him afterwards."

The public debate was in full swing.

Some media even camped outside The Gallagher Family’s mansion and The Rose Garden with cameras, just to capture a photo of the two together.

However.

Gossip remains gossip.

None of the online opinions affected Nathaniel Gallagher and Eleanor Churchill’s life.

...

In the blink of an eye.

Six months passed.

Josephine Thompson was still missing without a trace.

No one knew her whereabouts, and no one could contact her.

She just vanished into thin air, disappeared without a trace, and no channel could find any trace of her.

There were rumors that she was secretly dealt with by Nathaniel Gallagher and Eleanor Churchill together.

The rumors spread, becoming more and more convincing.