The old man nodded and remarked, “Ah, like the color. A beautiful name for a beautiful lady.”
“You’re too kind, Mr. Bauman.” I smiled broadly.
His turbid eyes lit up slightly. “Since Marc made the effort to introduce you to us, it means that he cares about you. It’s very rare for a woman to catch his eye.”
“Shush! What nonsense are you spouting, old man?” Sophia castigated him with a stern expression. “You think you’re mister know-it-all, don’t you?”
Anthony grinned sheepishly. “The younger generation have their own way of thinking. Even if we can see through their thoughts, we have to keep it to ourselves, or we’ll end up embarrassing them.”
Sophia huffed, “Good that you know!”
Even though I couldn’t fully understand what they were talking about, I found their conversation intriguing. They were almost a hundred years old, but they could still banter back and forth, seemingly younger than they actually were. It was truly a blessing.
In life, not many managed to stay together until the end like them. Instead, most people would separate at some point, then walk their respective paths as they tried to forget the past.
Initially, I didn’t understand why Marcus wanted me to accompany his grandparents. Later on, I realized that every guest had to come up to greet them.
Naturally, they would engage in small talk. As I was lounging with the two elderlies, many of the guests were curious about my identity. Hence, I was introduced to them one after another.
With that, I was able to know which guests were invited.
Zachary attended the banquet with Cameron. It was evident that both of them took great care of themselves. The man looked handsome and dignified, while the woman was gentle and sophisticated. Together, they were a charming middle-aged couple.
Upon greeting Marcus’ grandparents, both Zachary and Cameron noticed me. They stiffened at the same time and looked at Anthony. “Mr. Bauman, this lady beside you is?” Zachary asked.
Anthony smiled and said, “This is Scarlett Stovall. An employee at my grandson Marc’s company. She came here with him today.”
Zachary and Cameron exchanged glances, unable to conceal their shock. “Scarlett?” Their gaze landed on me as mixed emotions flickered in their eyes.
“Mr. Moore, this girl looks really similar to your wife during her younger days. If your family hadn’t already found your daughter, I would’ve mistaken this girl for her,” Louis Stovall, who was almost the same age as Zachary, joked.
Many people agreed with his remark. Even Marcus’ grandparents were slightly stunned and started to study Cameron and me more closely.
Shortly after, Anthony exclaimed, “It’s true. The girl’s eyebrows are shaped very similarly to Cameron’s, and her nose looks like Zachary’s, high and dainty. If you both hadn’t already found your daughter, I would’ve thought this girl is your biological daughter.”
Everyone laughed good-naturedly at this comment while Zachary peered at his wife, then at me, with his brows knitting together into a frown.
Marcus walked in with a smile after he was done entertaining the guests. “Since everyone thinks they look alike, why don’t you take Scarlett as your goddaughter, Mr. Moore? This way, we’ll have two causes for celebration today. Isn’t that great?”
My limbs froze up, and I couldn’t figure out where Marcus was going with this.
As soon as he suggested that, someone in the crowd chimed in, “Yeah, that’s a good idea. You’re so lucky, Mr. Moore. You’re going to have another beautiful daughter.”
No one knew about the strife between the Moores and me, so they assumed that this was something worth celebrating. However, Cameron and Zachary’s faces became slightly stiff.
A moment later, Cameron smiled and said, “We appreciate everyone’s good intentions, but as you all know, our daughter Rebecca is a very emotional child. She has endured a lot of hardship all these years. As her parents, we feel that we can never make it up to her. If we were to take in a goddaughter now, I’m afraid she might get the wrong idea.”
What she said inevitably caused everyone’s expressions to change, especially Marcus, as he was the one who suggested it.
The atmosphere instantly turned awkward.
Feeling relieved, a small smile stretched across my lips. I glanced at Cameron and Zachary before saying, “I’m sure many of us envy the love you both have for your daughter. It’s a shame I’m not blessed enough to deserve the same.”
“Now, now. Don’t say that,” Louis said heartily, “Why are you so harsh on yourself, girl? Since Marcus brought you here, it means he sees something special in you that others haven’t. And for some reason, I have a good feeling about you. I only have one son, and everyone knows my late wife didn’t give me the daughter I’ve always wanted. Now that fate brought us here today, my family is your family if you’re willing to accept me as your godfather.”
I blinked rapidly, rather baffled by this turn of events. Louis Stovall was a well-known official in K City and was a model of rectitude throughout his entire political career. Nowadays, very few in power were able to maintain their integrity and morals. Hence, he was a truly rare plain-spoken and virtuous city official.
Having someone like him compliment me this way caught me by surprise.
“Look, the girl is so happy that words have failed her. Louis, what are you going to do now that you’ve scared her?” Anthony teased with a bright smile on his face as pride shone in his eyes.
Marcus patted my shoulder gently and said, “Well? Aren’t you going to thank your Uncle Louis?”
