Just like Raymond's family, Grandpa Aden also had two children.
One was Raymond's mother, Roland, and the other was her younger brother, Raymond's uncle, Mitchell Aden.
Grandpa Aden ran a clothing company. It wasn't very big, but it was enough to make him part of the wealthy class in Richmond.
In other words, Roland was actually a rich second-generation kid.
That was also one of the reasons why Aden had opposed her marriage to Raymond's father.
Having families of equal status isn't just something Chinese people care about.
At that time, Edward was just an ordinary police officer from a regular immigrant family. Compared to Roland's background, it did look like he had married above his level. (TL/N: Edward is Fong Mo's English name as mentioned before)
It wasn't until Raymond was born that Aden finally accepted Edward as his son-in-law.
Especially after Raymond became one of the top psychology experts in North America, Edward was finally able to hold his head high in front of his father-in-law.
The reason was simple. Even though Raymond still didn't have as much money as Aden, one was a well-known psychologist in the U.S., while the other was a local rich man in a small city.
Their social status was clearly different.
Also, someone like Raymond—young and famous in academics—would likely attract lots of investors if he ever started a business.
At that point, he could easily surpass Aden in wealth.
Aden understood this, which was why now, whenever he drank with old friends, he often talked about his grandson Raymond. It showed just how proud he was of him.
Thanks to Raymond, Edward's status in Aden's heart also rose a lot.
As for Raymond's uncle Mitchell, he originally studied law like his sister Roland and worked as a lawyer after graduation.
But when things didn't go well for him, Aden brought him into the family business to train him as his successor.
As Mitchell got used to his role, the over-70-year-old Aden could finally relax and step back from work. He only handled major decisions and spent most of his time enjoying retirement—fishing, playing golf, and hanging out with old friends.
When Raymond walked into the living room, he saw Grandpa Aden and Grandma, his uncle Mitchell and aunt, and his two younger female cousins.
Just like Grandpa Aden and his mother Roland, Uncle Mitchell also had two kids, but both were daughters.
The older one was Hailey, who had just graduated from college and was job hunting. The younger one was Alex, who was about the same age as Clarice and still in high school.
"Raymond, long time no see!"
As soon as she saw him, Alex ran up and gave him a big hug.
Raymond, who had already fully accepted the original host's memories of the family, wasn't surprised by Alex's action. She had always seen him as her idol.
Hailey, the older cousin, wasn't great at studying and didn't care much about school. But Alex, like Clarice, was a top student and followed closely in Raymond's footsteps.
Both of them had always looked up to Raymond as their role model.
Still, Alex clearly felt a bit jealous that Clarice had Raymond as a brother. She had even complained more than once, saying she wished she could trade her sister Hailey for someone like Raymond.
"It really has been a while. You've grown taller again, little one." Raymond smiled and patted her head.
"Raymond, are you leaving again this time?" Alex asked curiously.
"I'll be working in D.C. for a while, so if you want to see me, feel free to come by anytime," Raymond said with a smile.
"You really know how to invite trouble, Raymond… Now that you've said that, this girl is definitely going to visit you all the time." Uncle Mitchell shook his head and laughed.
"Let her go. D.C. isn't far. It's good for Alex to learn more from Raymond—better than ending up like some girls who don't amount to much." Grandpa Aden chuckled.
"Grandpa, there you go again!" Hailey rolled her eyes.
As the only one in the family who wasn't good at school, she often got teased and used as a bad example.
"By the way, where's Clarice?" Alex suddenly looked around.
"She's in the backyard chatting with some friends. Go join her." Raymond pointed toward the yard.
"I'm going to take a look then~~~"
As soon as she finished speaking, she ran off to the backyard.
Seeing her run off, Raymond didn't think much of it. Whether it was Clarice's friends or Psylocke and Carl, they were all experienced. He wasn't worried Alex would notice anything strange.
"I'll go too." Hailey followed her into the backyard.
"We'll go help Roland with the food. You gentlemen take your time chatting." Once Hailey and Alex left, Grandma and Aunt Lisa also went to help, leaving the living room to the four men.
As always, Edward, quiet as his name suggested, asked his father-in-law and brother-in-law.
"Raymond, you drinking?" Aden looked at him.
"If Grandpa is drinking, of course I'll join you," Raymond replied with a smile.
"Great! Then let's drink today!" Aden slapped his leg and laughed loudly.
"By the way… I've got a few friends here too. I'll ask if they want to join us." Raymond said as he walked toward the backyard.
When he returned, Juggernaut and Carl came back with him.
Raymond had wanted to invite Psylocke as well, but Psylocke had politely declined. Raymond didn't insist.
Soon, after Raymond introduced everyone, they quickly got along.
"Here's my business card. If you two ever want to collaborate on anything related to the clothing business, feel free to contact me anytime." Halfway through the drinks, Uncle Mitchell slipped into work mode and handed over his card.
Raymond had wanted to stop him, but to his surprise, Carl took the card like a pro and handed one back.
"Clothing industry? No problem. A few of my companies are involved in that. I'm sure we'll have a chance to work together—"
Mitchell took Carl's card and casually read the title out loud, "Chairman of the Wellden Group… Wellden Group?!"
He first mumbled it under his breath, but suddenly his eyes widened and he said it again, louder this time, in complete shock.
Realizing his reaction was a bit much, he quickly apologized.
Aden was about to scold him, but before he could say anything, he seemed to realize something too. He looked at Mitchell and asked, "Which Wellden Group?"
"The one you're thinking of, Dad," Mitchell replied, swallowing nervously.
Hearing that, Aden froze for a moment.
When he came back to his senses, the two of them looked at each other, both seeing the same shock in the other's eyes. For a moment, neither of them could speak.