The entire office fell silent.
Due to the overwhelming amount of information, Lionel Yeager, Nancy Maddox, and the others took a long time to recover.
Bache Arthur excitedly said, "So you all know my daughter already!
That’s great, really great!
Can I see my daughter now?"
Lionel calmed himself and said, "Mr. Arthur, please be patient, this is a huge matter, we need to be absolutely sure.
I’ll call Sir Stewart and Miss Stewart right now to have them come over."
Bache Arthur nodded, "Yes, yes, thank you, President Yeager!"
Without hesitation, Lionel took out his mobile phone and called Sir Stewart and Julie Stewart.
After hanging up the phone,
Lionel said, "Mr. Arthur, please wait a moment, Sir Stewart and Miss Stewart are already on their way."
Bache Arthur nodded heavily.
In the following time, everyone waited in the seating area.
Especially Bache Arthur, who was excited, expectant, apprehensive, and somewhat restless.
Haward Stewart, Kenneth Stewart, Justin Stewart, Julie Stewart, and even Julia Stewart arrived.
As soon as they entered,
Haward Stewart asked Lionel, "Mullen, you said that Julie’s biological father is here, what’s going on?"
Lionel introduced, "This is Miss Stewart’s biological father, Mr. Bache Arthur, the family owner of the Fragrance River Arthur Family."
Having said that, Lionel introduced Haward Stewart and the others as well.
Bache Arthur reached out his hand towards Haward Stewart, "Nice to meet you, Sir Stewart, my name is Bache Arthur."
Haward Stewart shook hands with Bache Arthur, then turned his head toward Geraldine Lockhart, "Dean Lockhart, is this true?"
Geraldine Lockhart nodded, "Sir Stewart, Mr. Arthur is indeed Miss Stewart’s biological father."
Kenneth and Justin Stewart didn’t say much, they knew that Julie was indeed their father’s adopted daughter.
However, Julie and Julia Stewart were stunned, their faces filled with disbelief.
Julie looked at Haward Stewart dumbfounded, "Father, am I really your adopted daughter?"
"Grandfather, this isn’t real, is it?!"
Julia also looked at Haward Stewart incredulously.
Although they had learned of this on the way, they still found it hard to believe.
Haward Stewart just sighed and nodded his head.
Julie’s body trembled as she stared blankly at Bache Arthur.
Julia asked, "Grandfather, what exactly is going on? Why didn’t I know anything about this?"
Lionel said, "Everyone, let’s sit down and talk slowly."
After everyone took their seats,
Lionel Yeager said to Bache Arthur, "Mr. Arthur, please tell the story."
Bache Arthur nodded and then repeated the story he had just told Lionel Yeager and Nancy Maddox to Haward Stewart and the others.
After listening to Bache Arthur’s story, Haward Stewart and the others fell silent.
Haward Stewart looked at Bache Arthur and said, "Mr. Arthur, even though Dean Lockhart can vouch for your identity, I still hope you can prove for yourself that you are indeed Julie’s biological father."
"That’s only natural."
Bache Arthur agreed, then took out half a jade pendant from his bosom and said, "This jade pendant was originally a complete piece, and I kept half of it.
I entrusted the other half to Dean Lockhart to give to Julie, and also carved the words ’Julie’ on it.
That’s the name I named her because she was born in late autumn."
Julie Stewart took off the half piece of jade she was wearing, which was matched exactly with the other half piece of jade that Bache Arthur was holding.
Furthermore, the word "Betty" was indeed engraved on the jade piece.
Bache Arthur continued, "Also, there is a red birthmark on Betty’s lower back..."
Hearing these words, Julie Stewart’s body trembled even more violently.
She looked up at Bache Arthur, her lips trembled, and she stammered, "Are you... really... my biological father?"
Bache Arthur’s eyes filled with tears of joy, and he nodded, "Yes, Betty, I am indeed your biological father!"
Julie Stewart shook her head forcefully, "If you are my biological father, why did you only come to find me now?"
Bache Arthur heaved a deep sigh, saying, "All these years, I’ve been running around for the sake of the Arthur Family, so I am late.
Betty, I’m sorry. I’m not a competent father.
I don’t expect you to forgive me, but you can’t deny me, can you?"
"How should I accept you?"
Julie Stewart’s eyes brimmed with tears as she choked out, "Only the members of the Stewart family are my relatives..."
Haward Stewart also sighed heavily, saying, "Betty, although you’re not my flesh and blood daughter, I’ve always treated you as one.
But now that your biological father has come, you must acknowledge him."
Julie Stewart leaped into Haward Stewart’s arms and sobbed loudly.
His eyes also brimmed with tears.
He gently patted Julie Stewart’s back, speaking softly, "Good child, don’t cry, finding your biological father is a happy event."
Kenneth Stewart, with red-rimmed eyes, said, "Father is right, Third Sister, this is a joyous occasion, don’t be sad."
Justin Stewart wiped away tears, saying, "Third Sister, even if you found your biological father, we will always be your family."
Julia Stewart stood by, constantly wiping her tears, not knowing whether to be happy or sad.
Lionel Yeager and Nancy Maddox, among others, were also at a loss.
They could only sigh at the unpredictable turns of life.
Julie Stewart, a mature woman, managed to regain her composure after venting her emotions.
She took a deep breath, looked at Bache Arthur, and asked, "What about my mother, why didn’t she come?"
With a look of sorrow, Bache Arthur said, "Betty, your mother is not in good health, so she couldn’t make it.
But it’s okay, she’ll be able to see you tomorrow when you come back to Fragrance River with me."
Julie Stewart was taken aback.
Bache Arthur nodded, saying, "After all, you are a part of our Arthur Family, and it’s time for you to acknowledge your ancestry and return home, at least for a visit."
Haward Stewart said, "Betty, Mr. Arthur is right. You need to go back."
Julie Stewart nodded her head and finally accepted the fact.
Haward Stewart glanced at the time and said, "It’s getting late. Let’s go to dinner.
Since Mr. Arthur has made a rare trip to River City, we must do our best to be good hosts."
Subsequently, Lionel Yeager and the others left Star Charity Foundation and booked a top private room at River City’s most upscale restaurant.
Although it was a happy occasion for Julie Stewart to find her biological father.
However, Haward Stewart and the others didn’t have much appetite, and their smiles were forced.
But Bache Arthur was still delighted, toasting Haward Stewart and the others repeatedly.
After dinner, everyone agreed to meet tomorrow to see Julie Stewart and Bache Arthur off, then dispersed.
Upon leaving the restaurant.
Julie Stewart looked at Lionel Yeager and asked, "Lionel, could you accompany me for a walk?"
Lionel Yeager knew the woman’s mood must be complicated at the moment, so he agreed.
After that, Julia Stewart, Lily Tisdale, Bardon Bard, and Prajna Bates left.
Lionel Yeager drove a Bentley Mulsanne, taking Julie Stewart away from the restaurant.