Chapter 4 - The Prestigious Fairmont Family
1080 Words
The Fairmont family.
Located at Silver River No.1 in downtown Manchester, this is the most prestigious neighborhood in the city.
Although it’s an area where every inch of land is extremely valuable, the villa complex has a greenery coverage rate as high as 80%, featuring a man-made lake and a lavishly designed landscape garden.
The villas’ security is managed by retired special forces personnel, and entry requires a wealth certification, as it’s the residence for Manchester's top elites.
Eleanor Holton is familiar with this place.
Peter Holton once dreamed of owning a house here.
Living here means being neighbors with the elite, indicating that you are one of them.
A convoy of Maybachs entered the villa area without any obstruction, passing through expansive lawns before finally stopping in front of a four-story estate villa.
Alexander Fairmont led Eleanor Holton out of the car, while Leon Harrington remained seated.
When family reunions are underway, it’s considered impolite to intrude, regardless of one’s relationship.
Alexander Fairmont waved as the twelve Maybachs started up again, driving deeper into the villa complex.
"Leon lives just ahead. I’ll officially introduce you later."
With this explanation, Alexander Fairmont led Eleanor into the villa.
The villa, with its European-style architecture, exuded luxury and grandeur.
Crossing through the garden, entering the main door, and moving past the foyer into the living room, Eleanor was greeted by a gathering of Fairmont family members.
On the way, Alexander had given her a brief introduction.
Just as Eleanor had suspected, the Fairmont family is one of Manchester’s four great families, consisting of four branches, with three sons and one daughter, each with their own family.
Due to health reasons, the old patriarch had retired a couple of years ago, leaving the Fairmont Group in the hands of the eldest son, Charles Fairmont.
Her second uncle, Marcus Fairmont, was a top-tier singer in his youth and later established his own entertainment company, now one of the industry's major players.
Her third uncle, Henry Fairmont, serves as vice president of the Fairmont Group, overseeing several key business areas.
Her aunt, Miranda Fairmont, is a successful entrepreneur in her own right, having established a global high-end brand and wielding significant influence in the fashion industry.
As for the younger generation, the Fairmont family, known for its strong male lineage, only has one female descendant among the main branches, besides the youngest daughter of the second family. Another girl, Lily Sanders, lives with the Fairmonts as a daughter from the old matriarch’s side of the family.
Looking around, it was evident that nearly all branches of the Fairmont family were present.
When Eleanor and Alexander Fairmont entered, everyone looked up, their gazes a mix of scrutiny, curiosity, indifference, and, for some, veiled dissatisfaction.
"Grandfather," Alexander greeted, calling out to the elderly man seated prominently in the center of the sofa, introducing Eleanor, "This is Eleanor."
He signaled for Eleanor to greet him as well.
"Grandfather," Eleanor addressed him respectfully.
The elderly man nodded kindly and warmly, saying, "Good, welcome back. From now on, you’re the eldest daughter of the Fairmont family; no one will dare to bully you."
Alexander then directed her attention to the man seated beside the patriarch, introducing, "This is your father."
Following his gaze, Eleanor saw that, in contrast to her grandfather’s amiable demeanor, Charles Fairmont appeared cool and composed. His face bore a mature, rugged charm, softened only by subtle signs of age.
It was a different aura compared to Peter Holton.
With a soft voice, Eleanor greeted, "Father."
Charles Fairmont’s expression remained impassive, only nodding after a moment of silence, responding with a low “Mm.”
Alexander introduced her to each of the other Fairmont family elders one by one.
Eleanor noted that nearly the entire Fairmont family had gathered, except for her grandmother, who was in a care facility, and another cousin.
Yet among those present, her mother was absent.
According to Alexander, her mother had pursued her kidnapper alone when Eleanor was taken but suffered an accident, falling into the sea. Her body was never recovered.
As Eleanor grew silent in thought, her second aunt, a woman in her forties named Andrea, moved closer, affectionately taking Eleanor's arm, eyes filled with kindness and care.
"You must be tired after the journey, Eleanor. I’ve had your room prepared; feel free to let me know if there’s anything you’d like changed," she offered warmly.
In the Fairmont family’s traditional way, which values unity among branches, the three sons live together in this estate villa, while the fourth daughter has married out.
Andrea, in her forties but still well-maintained in appearance, displayed the grace of a true noblewoman. However, to Eleanor, her affectionate gestures seemed slightly forced.
Eleanor subtly withdrew her arm, about to politely express her gratitude, when a teenage boy of about thirteen or fourteen spoke up abruptly.
"Second Aunt, you should give her a different room. That room was Lily’s doll room. Now Lily has nowhere to put her dolls."
The boy was Oliver Fairmont, the youngest of the third family and notoriously outspoken.
His words instantly elicited a range of reactions across the room.
Henry Fairmont, Oliver’s father, frowned, scolding him sharply, "Mind your manners! This is none of your concern."
"Why are you scolding me? I’m not wrong," Oliver protested, his tone defiant. "There are so many rooms in this house; why give her Lily’s doll room? She’s taking over Lily’s space!"
A young girl sitting among the Fairmont cousins quietly rose to her feet, her delicate face showing an expression of modesty.
"Oliver, stop it," she chided gently.
This was Lily Sanders.
Lily, the old matriarch’s niece, was brought into the family after Eleanor’s disappearance. She was raised in the Fairmont household alongside her cousins.
Turning to Eleanor with a gentle voice, Lily said, "Eleanor, please don’t take it personally. Oliver meant no harm; he just doesn’t like to see me suffer. The room is yours now, and I’m fine with it."
Her words were graceful and dignified, but every phrase subtly emphasized her own grievances.
Eleanor observed silently.
Could it be that her unique aura just naturally attracted this type of “pretender” personality?
Lily turned and gently admonished, "Oliver, apologize. Eleanor is your elder sister."
"Ha," Oliver scoffed quietly, his face filled with disdain, muttering, "She’s not my sister."
With a loud "clink," someone’s glass was suddenly slammed onto the marble table, and the room fell into a tense silence.
- Writer
