When they were eating, there wasn’t much communication between the four, but their hearts were far from calm.
The meal didn’t last long, only about half an hour, and none actually ate much; there were dishes that they barely touched.
"Easton! You and Lily should head back first. I’ll chat a bit more with your Uncle Aiden," Michael said after putting down his chopsticks, breaking the silence first.
"Stay, we’ll head back now."
Easton glanced at Aiden, then back at Michael, before pulling Lily to leave the private room with determination, not hesitating for a moment.
Michael turned his head to glance at the door, ensuring it was securely closed before turning back to Aiden, "Aiden! What do you think? Does she resemble him?"
He stared at the other, waiting for his answer.
"Yes! Just as you said, that girl’s eyes are exactly like Daxton’s." Aiden had scrutinized Lily closely earlier, and the discovery surprised yet pleased him.
After all these years, he finally found his brother’s child, bringing peace to his deceased brother.
This was the response Michael had hoped to hear, though he wasn’t surprised, having known Daxton for years.
Despite them being apart for over twenty years, the memory of his brother’s voice and smile always remained in his heart.
"Aiden! What do you plan to do next?"
Michael maintained his previous demeanor, watching Aiden, trying to predict the answer but wanting confirmation.
Aiden thought for a moment and said, "I want to personally visit Lily’s mom and discuss about Lily acknowledging the Taylor Family."
Having found his brother’s daughter, he couldn’t let her wander outside. This was also his parents’ dying wish.
Whether for his brother, who passed young, or for his late parents, he had to do it.
"I met Lily’s mom this noon, her..."
"What does she mean by this? Does she still resent the Taylor Family?"
Before Michael could finish, Aiden anxiously interjected; the key to bringing their niece back to the Taylor Family depended on her mother.
Recalling the past, his head ached.
Michael didn’t directly answer Aiden’s question, instead replying tactfully, "She needs to discuss such a big decision with her current husband and Lily."
This seemed a reasonable explanation, at least to him, but he wasn’t sure if the other side saw it that way.
"Michael! We don’t need to beat around the bush. Just tell me the truth: does she still resent our family and refuse to let Lily acknowledge us?" Aiden didn’t believe Michael’s explanation. He had witnessed the events of that year firsthand.
He saw with his own eyes Sophia’s hatred towards his parents and her resolute departure.
Seeing that his lie couldn’t fool Aiden, Michael sighed deeply, "You should understand her. After all, it was the Taylor Family who wronged her. To hold a grudge is only human."
He wasn’t taking sides, merely stating the facts.
In his heart, he felt that perhaps the Taylors overstepped back then; everyone was indeed sorrowful, but they truly hurt her deeply.