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Chapter 255: Reunion with an Old Friend

On the morning of the funeral, at Westminster Abbey, Barnett, who had not been seen for a long time, returned from America to attend the ceremony.

The two brothers sat expressionless in their black suits, listening to the priest read the eulogies as various dignitaries and close friends of Diana took turns delivering their tributes.

Aldrich felt no sorrow; after all, he hadn't spent much time in the UK over the years. He held respect for Diana, but that was about it.

"Do you have any connections with the royal family?" Aldrich whispered to his older brother.

Barnett replied quietly, "Just acquaintances. We've crossed paths at social events. Sometimes, they're invited to charity events to help boost their image. Everyone has their needs."

"Oh, how's things in America?"

"Great. You can't imagine how wealthy we've become. I could pay off the club's debts with two hundred million pounds right now."

"It doesn't have to be like this. If I just burn money to run the club without thinking, we can't spend more than others."

"That's an exaggeration. Soon, the Hall family will be the wealthiest owners among all clubs in England."

"Hmph, don't get too cocky. There are plenty of people richer than you. What's even scarier are the conglomerates; when it comes to burning cash, we'll never keep up. There's no need to disrupt the rules of the game."

"Well, wealth needs to be spent. I'm having someone in London help me pick out a few mansions. Do you have any specific requirements for the design or location?"

"None. I think my apartment is just fine. It may not look luxurious, but it's comfortable to live in."

"Such a humble choice!"

"Thanks."

Cough.

Someone from a nearby royal box glanced back at the two brothers after overhearing their mutterings, clearly annoyed, and lightly coughed as a warning.

Once the person turned away, Aldrich and Barnett instinctively raised their middle fingers.

The funeral had a high profile and was widely considered one of the most significant ceremonies in recent years.

Not only were over a million people lining the streets of London to bid farewell to the princess, but the live broadcast of the funeral also attracted over a billion viewers around the globe.

Besides attending the funeral, Aldrich participated in the subsequent auction of the princess's belongings, purchasing one of her iconic outfits for a million pounds. He donated the proceeds to charity and gifted the outfit to an art gallery in London for public display.

This not only heightened Aldrich's visibility during this somber moment in Britain but also enhanced his public image.

His motives were somewhat self-serving; he aimed to shape his public persona, representing Millwall FC. The attention on him would inevitably shift some focus onto the club.

In the few days following the funeral, coinciding with FIFA's international break, Aldrich experienced a relatively quiet period.

One afternoon before lunch, Aldrich received another invitation, this time for a lunch meeting.

He arrived at a secluded apartment in the eastern suburbs, holding a bottle of red wine and gently knocking on the door.

Soon, someone opened the door, revealing a mature and gentle face.

"Aldrich, it's been over two years since we last met, hasn't it? You've grown into quite a man since we first met."

Seeing the woman in her casual home attire, Aldrich found it hard to reconcile her with the fragile figure he had met long ago.

He stepped inside and smiled, "Ms. Rowling, I hardly recognized you."

"Please, call me Joanne , just like we did in our letters."

At that moment, Rowling seemed like a completely different person—gracious, vibrant, and radiating happiness.

Aldrich raised an eyebrow and laughed, "Alright then, Joanne . A small gift, just a token of esteem."

He handed her the bottle of wine, which she graciously accepted.

On the dining table, a bountiful spread awaited. A delicate little girl, around four years old, sat watching cartoons. When Rowling and Aldrich walked in, the girl turned around, her eyes wide, and suddenly shouted, "Uncle Hall!"

Aldrich was quite surprised and asked: "Do you remember me? The last time we met, you were still a child!"

"I know you! Mommy showed me your picture and said you're the best person in the world. Sometimes I see you on TV, and sometimes you look really scary."

Rowling's daughter, Jessica, made Aldrich feel a bit awkward.

Rowling quickly said with a serious expression: "Jessica, I have told you many times, Uncle Hall is working, just like a strict teacher."

Aldrich often appeared on-screen directing games, and it was not uncommon for him to be seen shouting or making dramatic gestures due to adrenaline.

Fortunately, he wasn't particularly scary-looking, or he might truly scare small children with his fury.

Once seated at the table, Aldrich looked at the delicious spread and sighed, somewhat moved.

"What's wrong? Is the food unappetizing?" Rowling asked nervously, worried that she might have disappointed Aldrich. To her, he was like a deity who helped her through her toughest times.

"No, it's just that I rarely enjoy a meal prepared by someone else. Unless I'm home with my family, I usually cook for myself," he replied.

"Aren't you dating someone?"

"Uh, she's busier than I am."

"Well, you should try my cooking today."

Aldrich thanked her and began to chat with the mother and daughter as they ate.

"You came to London in April? Why didn't you tell me?"

Aldrich's expression showed his displeasure. He didn't have many friends outside of work, and besides a few childhood friends, Rowling was one he had nurtured a unique bond with through their correspondence, allowing them to discuss various topics candidly.

Sometimes, Aldrich faced confusion in life. Although he had a lot of experience, some changes felt fresh, like how to reconcile with friends as his circumstances improved—he often had to consider their feelings. These were conversations he rarely had with others but felt comfortable discussing with Rowling.

"I knew you were busy with work; I didn't want to bother you. But now, I finally have some time on my hands," she replied calmly, though only she knew that when she arrived in London in April, she had nothing and was still the single mother who needed Aldrich's support. But now things were different; while money felt mundane, she could now survive independently, presenting herself to Aldrich with a completely new identity.

After a moment of surprise, Aldrich's face lit up. "Did 'Harry Potter' get published?"

Rowling nodded with a smile, "Yes, it was released in June."

Aldrich's face showed genuine regret. "I'm so sorry, I didn't know. I hardly visit bookstores—maybe once every six months, buying a bunch of books at once, and only after finishing them will I buy new ones. Not knowing about your success is truly my loss. Regardless, congratulations! Cheers to becoming a great author!"

Rowling beamed with warmth as they clinked glasses before she redirected the topic back to Aldrich.

"I heard you've been having some trouble at work?"

"What trouble?"

"The newspaper said you were suspended, and I was curious. Aren't you a coach? Can coaches be suspended without playing football?"

"Hehe, yes, they can. It just means I'm not allowed to direct the team during the matches. It's not a big deal; these things are quite normal for coaches."

"So, are you facing difficulties?"

"No, actually, it's a new challenge that excites me."

"Can't I have an opportunity to comfort you?"

...

After lunch, Rowling returned to her bedroom and brought out two items for Aldrich.

"This envelope contains a check, which is the money you've supported me with these past years. This is 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.' I wrote a note in the front for you as a gift from a friend."

Aldrich accepted it without hesitation.

Even the check, he had no intention of refusing.

It wasn't because he was petty about money; he understood that by accepting the check, he restored their relationship to a balanced status, allowing Rowling to bury her gratitude deep within, at least leaving them even materially.

"Mommy, can we go out today?" Jessica looked at Aldrich, seemingly wanting to take advantage of him to have some fun.

"Joanne , are you busy here?"

"Mm, yes. I still need to write the next installments of 'Harry Potter.' I don't often have time to take her out, plus, I'm not very familiar with this place."

Aldrich thought for a moment and suggested, "How about this? I'm off today; I could take her to explore some fun spots in London this afternoon."

Rowling looked at her daughter, who wore a pitiful expression, and smiled in agreement.

The whole afternoon, Aldrich accompanied the mother and daughter around London, letting Jessica ride on his shoulders while he held her small hands, as Rowling quietly followed behind, watching them with a soft gaze.

London boasts numerous museums, castles, libraries, and parks, each with its distinctive charm, and Aldrich had visited most of them, making him a fitting guide.

When night fell, Aldrich cradled the already asleep Jessica into Rowling's arms beneath her apartment, smiling as he waved goodbye. "It's getting late, I should be going. I had a great time today."

"Mm, you're always welcome here. Aldrich, thank you. Jessica hasn't been this happy in a long time; she really likes you."

Aldrich, unusually shy, scratched his head and said awkwardly, "I just realized I actually enjoy being around kids. Haha, I'll be going now. Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

Rowling smiled, watching Aldrich walk away until he disappeared at the end of the street.

Aldrich strolled for a long while. He hadn't driven today as his BMW was in for repairs, and he didn't want to attract attention by taking his sports car out.

As he walked down the moonlit street with his hands in his pockets, Aldrich mused: "It seems I genuinely enjoy spending time with children. Could it be that my psychological clock is ticking towards wanting a family?"

Shaking his head, he felt a little unsure. Maybe today is just a new experience. He wasn't sure he was ready for a child.