The Richest Student Heir

Chapter 005 - Gabriel's Biological Father

“Sorry sir, are you the one who brought me here?” Gabriel’s question made Herbert look up. Gabriel was not surprised to hear the middle-aged man know his name, because there was an ID card in his pocket, and he was also wearing a necklace with a pendant engraved “Gabriel”.

With a sincere smile, Herbert nodded. “I sent my butler Richard to fetch you, and he found you passed out on a deserted street. He found you injured, so he brought you here.”

Herbert’s words restored Gabriel’s memory. The memory of last night’s incident before he fell unconscious crossed his mind. A mixed expression of anger and sadness formed on his face remembering what happened last night.

Not wanting to show his emotions, Gabriel put on a fake smile. “Oh, I remember that, sir. I remember he spoke before me, but after that I don’t remember anything else. Anyway, thank you very much, sir. If it was not because of your help, I would have died there,” he expressed his gratitude. 

Herbert let out a faint smile as he nodded. Before speaking, he moved his hand to signal the doctor and nurse to leave the room. He wanted space for him and Gabriel to talk.

After they left, Herbert began to speak. “Yes Gabriel, by the way, I am Herbert Ashton.”

With his face lit up, Gabriel was eager to respond. “Once again, thank you so much, Mr. Herbert. You’ve saved me. I promise I will do anything to repay your kindness.”

Herbert’s eyes filled with tears as he stared at Gabriel. He rose from his seat and suddenly hugged the young man. “Gabriel, you don’t have to do anything. It’s my duty to protect you.”

Gabriel was taken aback. His body felt stiff and couldn’t react to Herbert’s actions. He could feel Herbert’s body shaking and the voice of the middle-aged cries filling his ears.

Hesitantly, Gabriel returned the hug. “Mr. Herbert, why are you crying? What happened?” He rubbed Herbert’s back to calm him down.

The middle-aged man’s cries had not stopped. Stammered, he let out his words while looking deeply at Gabriel.

“Gabriel, Thank God, finally we found you, my son!”

Gabriel furrowed his brows. He chuckled a little to lighten the awkward atmosphere. “Sir, I am very honored if you consider me as your son. But I am not the son you are looking for. My father passed away 3 years ago.”

Herbert shook his head, dismissing Gabriel’s words. “No, you are Gabriel Ashton, my son whom I lost touch with 20 years ago. Twenty-one years ago, I entrusted you to a couple. Then a year later, they had an accident and since then, I lost track of you. I have been looking for you for years and 6 months ago, the butler told me that he saw a young man whose face resembled my late father, Ralph Ashton. He accidentally saw you while working at a restaurant. Since then, he has been looking for you and finally, the search showed that you are truly my lost son,” he explained with a convincing expression. Gabriel was silent for a moment, still processing what was happening. Suddenly he remembered 3 years ago after the death of his father—Nathan Bruhn, he accidentally found an adoption certificate with his name on it in a cupboard that his father had hidden all this time.

During Nathan’s life, he forbade Gabriel from opening the cupboard. Gabriel listened to his father and never opposed him. Even after finding the adoption certificate, Gabriel was not angry or felt cheated. He believed that his late father did this for his own good. Even after that, Gabriel still considered Nathan as his biological father.

Still not convinced by Herbert’s words, Gabriel asked a question. “If you are indeed my biological father, then why did you entrust me to a couple? Then where have you been all this time?”

Herbert took a deep breath. With a look in his eyes that showed suffering, he spoke.

“Your late mother died while giving birth to you. During that time, our family was in trouble. I was betrayed by my close friend, so I lost everything, money and power. I got many threats, so I had no choice but to run away abroad. I wanted to take you with me, but it felt impossible. Finally, there was a kind couple who were willing to take care of you. Until one year later they had an accident and since then I lost track of you.”

Gabriel’s heart softened upon hearing Herbert’s explanation, he began to believe his story.

Seeing Gabriel pensive, Herbert convinced him even more. “Butler found out that you were adopted by a man named Nathan Bruhn, and you got his surname. And about the necklace you are wearing, it was a necklace given by your late grandfather.”

Gabriel stared at Herbert right in the eye. Still in disbelief, he stammered. “So you are really my biological father?”

Herbert’s eyes filled with tears. “Yes, my dear. You are my son. I’m sorry for leaving you all this time. But I promise you are with me now, and I will never leave you alone.”

Tears dripped down Gabriel’s cheeks. “Dad, I am so happy to meet you. I thought I was alone in this world after daddy Nathan left, but it turns out I still have a family.”

Herbert held Gabriel’s shoulders and stared at him deeply. “Tell me my son, what has happened all this time? How is your life? Butler said you are a student at The Kingford University and live in a dormitory.”

Gabriel nodded. “Yes, Dad. I study at that university and now I live in a dormitory with my friends. And by the way, I got a scholarship for my achievements so I can study for free. It's just that I need to work to meet my other needs." A faint smile formed on his lips.

Herbert looked at his son with concern. “You must have gone through a tough life, Gabriel. But don’t worry, it’s all over. From now on, you don’t have to work because I will give you everything.”

Frowning, Gabriel responded. “What do you do for living, Dad?”