<b>Chapter </b><b>252 </b>
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The Hughes family had a big house, a grand four–sectioned courtyardpound that exuded an air of timeless elegance.
Beyond the living quarters, there was a tranquil hall, where the ancestors of the Hughes family were enshrined.
Ever since Catherine’s disappearance, the olddy had spent her days in the hall, chanting sutras and seekingfort.
When she heard that Amelia had finally returned, the olddy rose early to offer incense, preparing the family genealogy and waiting anxiously.
Scott had even changed into a traditional robe embroidered with dragons, sitting with dignity in the living room, waiting patiently.
The Hughes brothers–Rafael Hughes, Emery Huges, and Osiris Huges–had all been called back early.
Daniel had also arrived.
Everyone was solemn.
For the Hughes family, this day had been a long timeing.
“She’s here, she’s finally here–Amelia’s home!” Aarav called out, grinning from ear to ear as he hung up the phone.
He went straight to the door himself, eager to wee her in person.
?
Amelia stood before the heavy crimson doors, her heart pounding as she caught sight of the face beyond them. Though deeply lined with age, it carried a shadow of her mother’s features. For a moment, she was dazed, her mind swirling with emotion.
“Amelia, this is your uncle–my father,” Giovanna said, introducing them.
“Uncle…” Amelia murmured softly.
‘He’s supposed to be only sixty–seven, but why does he look more like seventy–seven?‘ Amelia couldn’t help but think to herself.
“Catherine… no, Amelia,” Aarav murmured, momentarily stunned as he gazed at his niece, the resemnce so striking it made his heart ache.
If she wasn’t holding a baby, and if Landon wasn’t standing beside her, he could have sworn his sister Catherine hade back.
In that instant, tears streamed down his weathered face, unable to hold back the flood of emotion.
“Amelia,e here,” Aarav called out, his voice trembling in the bright sunlight as he opened his arms to her.
Without another moment’s hesitation, Amelia quickly closed the distance and stood in front of Aarav. “Uncle, are you doing well?” she asked softly, her voice brimming with warmth and concern.
“Good<b>, </b>good, everything’s good,” Aarav choked out, his voice trembling with emotion. “I wasn’t able to protect your 1/4
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mother, but at least I can look after you now. That’s something.”
“Uncle, I’m really doing well,” Amelia replied gently, her eyes full of understanding. “My mom… she would never me you. This was her destiny, and you all did your best.”
Aarav felt a fresh wave of sadness wash over him.
Giovanna quickly interjected, half–joking, “Alright, Dad, stop crying now. Otherwise, Landon is here.”
Wiping away his tears, Aarav turned his attention to Landon.
“Hello, Uncle,” Landon said respectfully, bowing slightly as a proper junior should.
“I know who you are,” Aarav said, his gaze steady as he sized Landon up. “I’ve actually been keeping an eye on you for quite some time.”
Landon didn’t expect that. ‘Since when did the Hughes family have their eyes on me? I didn’t notice a thing,‘ he wondered what Aarav thought of him.
“You’re a fine man, and you and Amelia are truly a match made in heaven,” Aarav said, beckoning them forward. “Come, let’s go inside and meet the elders.”
“Yes,” Landon replied respectfully.
Landon held the baby in his arms and walked with Amelia into the Hughes Vi.
From the outside, one could tell the Hughes family was something special, but once they stepped inside, Amelia realized she had seriously underestimated them.
‘This isn’t just extraordinary at all,’ Amelia thought in awe. ‘This ce is basically a royal pce!‘ she marveled to herself. “Cousin, are we descended from royalty or something?” Amelia whispered, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Giovannaughed. “No, <i>not </i>quite. But our ancestors were all pretty impressive. Our family’s been around for over two hundred years. Grandpa bought this ce decades ago.
“Back then, this ce was dirt cheap, but now it’s worth hundreds of millions, if not more,” Landon said, unable to help but admire Scott’s courage.
“Exactly,” Giovanna nodded. “And it wasn’t just this ce–Grandpa snapped up a bunch of other properties too. But when the real estate market started booming, he sold most of them off.”
Amelia sighed. “No wonder my mom’s engagement gifts were so amazing.”
“You’ve got your own engagement gifts too,” Giovanna said. “Grandpa’s already got everything ready for you.”
Amelia blinked in disbelief, pointing at herself with a surprised gesture. “Wait, I get engagement gifts too?”
“Of course you do!” Giovanna grinned. “Every kid in the Hughes family gets them–Daniel included. You’ll see his when he and Edith get married.”
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“Wait, Daniel and Edith are finally getting married?” Amelia eximed, her face lighting up with delight.
Ever since the Kington Gang vanished, she hadn’t seen Edith at all.
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She always thought Daniel and Edith were just star–crossed and would never end up together, but who knew they actually got together behind her back!
“Edith is truly a good person,” Giovanna said, her voiceced with nostalgia. “Back then, I intentionally pushed her away, but it was really for her own good.”
Thinking back to those days, Giovanna couldn’t help but look a little wistful.
They’d been such close friends, but for Daniel’s sake, she had to hurt Edith. Even though Edithter said she didn’t me her, there was always a knot in Giovanna’s heart she just couldn’t untangle.
“Cousin, you’ve done so much for me and Daniel. Thank you,” Amelia said, giving Giovanna’s hand a firm squeeze, hoping she could let go of her guilt.
“Mm,” Giovanna replied softly.
She took a moment topose herself, then managed a genuine smile.
‘Today is a big day for the Hughes family. I can’t let myself get caught up in sadness,‘ she reminded herself.
Before long, the group made their way to the main courtyard. Scott rose to his feet with the help of his cane, surrounded by his four dashing grandsons.
“Amelia…” Scott choked out, his voice trembling with emotion.
“Grandpa,” Amelia called, hurrying over to steady him. “Grandpa, I’m home.”
“Good, good…” Grandpa could barely get the words out, his voice trembling with emotion.
Scott was so overwhelmed, he was at aplete loss for words.
The Hughes brothers sized up Amelia with curiosity, then turned their attention to Landon.
Things had been so hectic at home that no one had bothered to fill them in about their cousin. It wasn’t until recently that they found out their little aunt actually had a daughter out there!
‘She really does look just like Aunt Catherine!‘ they all thought, amazed by the resemnce.
“Cousins,” Amelia greeted each of them in turn.
Her cousins were not only handsome, but also really friendly.
‘These are my family, she thought, her heart swelling with joy. ‘Everyone’s just so nice.‘
“It’s great to have you back,” Rafael said with a warm smile. “Dad thought we were too wild and couldn’t keep a secret<b>, </b><b>so </b>he didn’t let us in on your situation.”
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Amelia was secretly surprised. ‘So the three brothers were too busy goofing off, and all the family responsibilities ended up on the youngest sister?‘
‘Poor Giovanna!‘ Amelia thought, feeling a pang of sympathy for her cousin.
“We’ve heard all about everything you’ve been through, and you’re awesome!” Emery said, his eyes full of admiration.
Osiris quickly added, “We might be showing up a littlete, but we’ll definitely make it up to you. Once we’ve paid our respects to the ancestors, we’ve got a big present waiting for you.”
“You really don’t have to give me any gifts,” Amelia said with a gentle smile. “Just being able toe home is enough for me.” She took out the jade phoenix hairpin that Catherine had left behind and ced it in Scott’s hands. “Grandpa, your daughter hase home too.”
Scott couldn’t hold back his tears as he clutched the hairpin tightly–the very one he had once given to his beloved daughter.
“Honestly, we should’ve just alle out together,” Rafael joked. “Dad was bawling outside, now Grandpa’s crying too, and once we get to the hall, Grandma’s going to start up again. What’s the point of dragging it out?”
Emery immediately agreed, “Right? I told you we should just greet her all at once, but you guys had to stick to tradition. We’re just wasting tissues here.”
Everyoneughed along.
They were all smiling through their tears.
Landon quietly breathed a sigh of relief. ‘If they can joke around with their elders like this, the Hughes family clearly isn’t some rigid, old–fashioned household. Looks like fitting in here won’t be a problem at all,’ he thought to himself,
After Scott had let out his grief, everyone finally headed over to the hall.
Sure enough, Ophelia, Scott’s wife, broke down in tears all over again.
Finally, the ancestral rites began, and everyone gathered to honor those who came before them.
The whole ceremony was so solemn and awe–inspiring, it left everyone feeling a deep sense of respect and reverence.
When it came time to enter her name into the family genealogy, Scott solemnly wrote: Amelia Zuckerberg.
AD
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