Stephanie froze in place as shock ran through her. The elderly man standing across from her carried a calm presence, with eyes that were sharp and steady from years of experience. He gave no sign of having slipped into confusion.
Was it really possible that he was her grandfather?
Without warning, the noisy banquet hall quieted down, as if someone had flipped a switch.
Every head turned toward the entrance at the same time, drawn by the arrival of three young men who had just stepped inside.
They moved forward together, shoulders squared and backs straight, and each step carried an unmistakable sense of authority mixed with a chilling restraint.
Their eyes immediately caught the gun clutched in Waylon's hand and the lifeless bodyguard lying nearby, and they assumed he was the one who had pulled the trigger.
In the blink of an eye, the three men shifted positions and placed themselves in front of the elderly man and Stephanie. One of them raised his gun and aimed it straight at Waylon.
However, the standoff did not last long. In the next instant, the weapon was no longer in that man's grasp. It had somehow ended up in Waylon's hand instead, the muzzle pressed firmly against the man's temple.
That man was Liam Walsh, Aaron's grandson.
Although he held the rank of the youngest major general in the country, his name rarely circulated beyond certain circles.
To be disarmed so effortlessly stunned him. Liam's face hardened as his gaze turned cold, and a dangerous light surfaced in his eyes.
The rumors had not exaggerated anything. Waylon was far more terrifying than anyone had imagined.
Waylon stood rigid, his sharp brows drawn low and his lips pressed into a thin line. The angle of his jaw looked carved from stone, and the oppressive tension rolling off him made everyone nearby hold their breath, too afraid to draw his attention.
"Lower the gun," Aaron said as he stepped forward, his voice steady as he tried to explain. "There has been a misunderstanding. These are my grandsons. They came here because they were looking for me."
Aaron turned toward the three men, and his tone sharpened as he spoke. "If he had not stepped in today, there is a good chance you would never have seen me again."
Liam let out a slow breath, and the tension eased from his face. "This is on me. I misjudged the situation, and I am sorry."
Only after hearing that did Waylon ease his grip and hand the weapon back. Liam accepted it with palms that were damp despite his composure.
Once the danger passed, Aaron could no longer contain himself. Excitement lit his face as he addressed them, "I finally found your sister!"
All three men instinctively turned toward Stephanie, and the resemblance became impossible to ignore the longer they looked.
A smile spread across Liam's face as disbelief and hope mixed together. "Are you really our sister?"
Stephanie stared back at them, completely overwhelmed. She glanced between Aaron and the three men, their excitement only adding to her confusion. "I do not understand. Who are you people?"
Aaron stepped closer, his gaze warm and filled with care. "My name is Aaron Walsh. I am the chairman of the Walsh Group. Eighteen years ago, you were taken away by traffickers. We never stopped searching for you, not for a single day. Meeting you here was fate, and you even saved my life."
His voice trembled as the words left him, heavy with years of regret and longing.
Stephanie looked at the three men again, each of them sharing features that mirrored her own. A thought she never dared to consider took root in her mind. Could she truly belong to the Walsh family, the most powerful family in the nation?
The three brothers felt it too, a strange sense of closeness that made no logical sense yet felt undeniable. She could really be the sister they had lost eighteen years ago.
Owen Walsh stepped forward, his usual stern presence replaced by something softer. "My name is Owen Walsh. I am your eldest brother."
Liam was the next to speak, his posture relaxing as he faced her. "I am Liam Walsh. That makes me your second brother."
Stepping out with an easy grin, the youngest of the trio waved slightly. "Harvey Walsh. We have been trying to find you for a long time."
Stephanie slowly studied the three men standing in front of her.
Their names were not unfamiliar.
In business circles, Owen was a legend. As the current president of Walsh Group, he was known for his sharp judgment and decisive leadership, qualities that pushed his family to the very top of the country's wealth rankings.
Liam carried a different kind of weight. As the youngest major general, his reputation alone commanded respect. A flicker of unease crossed Stephanie's mind as she wondered how he might react if he ever learned her name was flagged within military records.
Harvey, on the other hand, was the rising star of the investment world, gaining attention for bold moves that consistently paid off.
The Walsh name alone was enough to unsettle entire industries.
"My name is Stephanie. I could be the person you are searching for, but I want proof. A test would settle everything." Acting without certainty had never been her way.
Family had never been part of her plans, yet meeting them like this did not feel unwelcome.
Warmth slowly surfaced in Owen's eyes as he looked at her. "Do we really need a test? Your face says it all."
Aaron turned toward her, his expression gentle and hopeful. "We can still do one if that helps you feel at ease. Would you come home with me so we can talk properly?"
"Okay," Stephanie replied after a brief moment, deciding to delay her meeting with Rory and face this unexpected reunion first.
A slight crease appeared between Waylon's brows as he watched the exchange, clearly taken aback by how deeply she was tied to the Walsh family. His eyes sharpened as he reached out and stopped her. "Miss Walsh, could I speak with you for a moment?"
