Chapter 4 Familial Love

Maybe because he was too excited, Daniel's words came out a bit jumbled.

Victoria looked at her fair arm, forming a sharp contrast with the old man's withered hand. She had never liked being touched by others, but at this moment, she could tolerate that physical aversion.

Was this what family felt like?

Victoria couldn't help but wonder to herself.

Though it was only their first meeting, this old man gave her a completely different feeling from Oliver. Could this be the magical connection of blood ties?

Daniel held Victoria's hand, reluctantly letting go. After a long while, he finally calmed down a bit: "My tears come more easily. I almost forgot about the important things."

Daniel wiped away his tears and pointed to a middle-aged man nearby: "This is your father, Simon Windsor. He teaches at Clayton."

Victoria looked over following the old man's gesture. The man was wearing a dark gray suit, his eyes red-rimmed, but he was trying hard to control his emotions.

So this was her biological father?

Victoria's eyes flickered, and she obediently spoke: "Dad."

"Victoria," Simon tried hard to control himself, but his voice still trembled slightly.

"This is your mother, Amara Russell. She's a music teacher."

Daniel gently pushed Victoria, hoping she would go over.

Victoria walked up to Amara. Despite her age, Amara was still a beautiful woman, just with some traces of time's passage.

Meeting Amara's excited eyes, Victoria found herself somewhat moved, too. She opened her mouth: "Mom."

Amara pulled Victoria tightly into her arms, sobbing uncontrollably: "Victoria, you're finally back. I finally found you. My child!"

Amara had missed Victoria for over ten years. All her emotions burst out in this instant. Not caring that so many people were present, she held Victoria and cried like a child.

Victoria's hands froze in mid-air. She had never been held in someone's arms like this before, nor had she ever had such intimate contact with anyone.

She just felt her whole body stiffen, as if her blood had frozen.

Instinctively reaching out to push Amara away, but feeling Amara's body trembling slightly, she changed her mind. Her hand gently rested on Amara's shoulder, patting it to comfort her.

It took Amara quite a while to calm down. She wiped her tears, her face reddening with embarrassment, and pulled Victoria to continue the introductions: "This is your aunt Celeste Scott, and this is your cousin Sophie Windsor."

Victoria nodded, "Hello."

Daniel glared at Michael nearby: "This is your cousin, Michael. He's pretty unreliable. I told him three days ago to pick you up, and he's only just brought you back now."

Not expecting Daniel to call him out like this, Michael immediately pointed the finger at Caspian: "It's Caspian's fault. He insisted on seeing Victoria right away. I had to go pick him up, which delayed everything."

Caspian wanted to see her?

Victoria found this very strange. She sat down beside Amara, studying Caspian.

Daniel slapped his forehead: "I forgot to introduce you. Victoria, this is Caspian. He's only a few years older than you. You two should get along well from now on."

"Okay, Grandpa."

Victoria answered obediently. Although she had already decided to keep her distance from Caspian, she wouldn't show it in front of the elders.

Everyone came forward, asking Victoria all at once how she had been all these years.

Victoria was overwhelmed for a moment.

Daniel was a bit annoyed and spoke up: "Enough, enough. Stop asking. Victoria just got back. You can talk about everything slowly later."

Everyone laughed and said, "It's Grandpa's birthday, and Victoria's back too. Two happy events at once!"

Hearing this, Victoria immediately put on a surprised expression: "Today is Grandpa's birthday?"

She looked at Michael with some reproach: "Why didn't you say anything earlier?"

"Grandpa, happy birthday. I came in such a hurry today that I didn't prepare any proper gift. This is a scarf I bought abroad before. I really like it. I'm giving it to you, Grandpa. I hope you won't mind."

As she spoke, Victoria opened her backpack and took out a scarf.

Michael instinctively glanced toward Caspian.

Caspian was surprised, too.

Victoria's acting was flawless.

Daniel took the scarf in his hands and smiled gently: "You're so thoughtful. I'll accept the scarf. Actually, your thoughtfulness is the most precious thing."

"I'm glad you like it, Grandpa." Victoria smiled.

Daniel put away the scarf and glared at Michael: "Why didn't you tell Victoria?"

How unfair.

Michael felt he'd been set up.

He looked at Victoria with grievance, then said quietly: "It's my fault. When I saw Victoria, I just forgot. Besides, I didn't want Victoria to spend money. You don't need anything anyway, Grandpa!"

Michael coaxed with a grin, and the matter passed. The family sat together, eating happily.

"Sophie, what's wrong with you today? Why the long face? Did someone upset you?"

Michael, carefree as always, just thought Sophie was acting strange.

Sophie forced a smile: "How could that be?"

Celeste rolled her eyes at her clueless son. "Sophie misses your dad! Unlike you, with no worries, your dad hasn't been back for over a month and didn't even make it for Grandpa's birthday."

"Victoria, you should be starting your senior year, right? I heard you took a year off. Have you decided where you want to go for your senior year?" Daniel looked at Victoria with concern.

Victoria paused while eating. To her, a diploma was just a piece of paper. If they hadn't brought it up, she would have forgotten about school altogether.

Swallowing the soup in her mouth, she replied casually: "Then Emerald City High School, I guess."