Chapter 188: Father and Daughter Reunite!

Mr. Robertson cautiously reached out, wanting to touch Irene’s face. Stefan, watching from the side, raised an eyebrow slightly. Although Irene's expression didn’t change much, she seemed to be growing impatient. Just as Stefan began to worry that Irene might embarrass Mr. Robertson, she gently took his hand, turning the awkward gesture into a more intimate handshake. Mr. Robertson became emotional at once. The child had reached out to him on her own! Excitedly, he said, "Child, I’ve come to take you home." In contrast to Mr. Robertson’s excitement, Irene remained much calmer, as if she were simply conversing with any elder. She naturally said, "It would have been better if you had come sooner." "Even if it were only four months sooner." Her tone changed as she said this, seeming both wistful and regretful, but there was no hint of resentment. As the head of the Norman family, Robertson immediately sensed that something significant had happened during those three months to make Irene think this way. His heart ached. He desperately wanted to know what had transpired, but he also knew that now was not the time to ask. He wasn’t sure he had the right to ask such questions just yet. Irene didn’t want to see the old man looking so sad, so she softened her tone and said, "I’m doing well now, as you can see. My grandmother lives with me, so I can’t go back to live with you. But you will always be my father." Stefan, observing from a distance, thought to himself that Irene probably meant he would always be her biological father. Right now, it didn’t seem like Irene had much affection for the Norman family. And the Norman family was partly to blame for that. Why let an outsider live in their house so openly? But Stefan wasn’t worried. Irene had a soft heart, and Mr. Robertson clearly adored his daughter. This misunderstanding could be resolved, but it would take time. Mr. Robertson wept again at Irene’s final words. Through his tears, he said, "You’ve suffered so much." Before coming here, Robertson had reviewed the reports. That village was notorious for its cruel customs. "It’s all my fault. I’m so late." Yes, late by more than a decade. For all those years, what was the Norman family if not the same as those parents who gave birth but didn’t raise their children? Looking at Irene, Robertson felt both anxious and sorrowful. He knew that in such an old-fashioned and conservative village, even adults struggled to endure, often being assimilated or driven mad. His third son, Itha, had even suffered there. Itha was incredibly strong—a star in the military, almost unbeatable. He had risen from a rookie to the special forces, always among the best, yet even he had faced hardship in that village. What about Irene? A high school girl, how had she come to that place with hopes of finding her "biological parents," only to be devastated when she discovered the truth? The thought alone made Robertson feel overwhelmed. And then, he remembered what Assistant Barton had told him: Irene had been live streaming to support her family, enduring the harsh words of online trolls without ever considering giving up. For her grandmother and their home, Irene had persevered, no matter how tough it got. These thoughts left Mr. Robertson breathless with sorrow. Mr. Robertson’s views were quite old-fashioned. In his mind, girls should be carefully nurtured at home, living happily, with their biggest worry being what to wear or eat the next day. If a family relied on a girl to support it, then the men in that family were as good as dead. Even if they were alive, Robertson would consider them dead. To him, any man who let a woman bear the burden of the household wasn’t a man at all. Irene was so young—there was no way she’d willingly take on such responsibilities. She must have been forced by circumstances! This thought made Robertson agitated. Irene should have been the Norman family’s treasure, the princess of their world. And now? She had almost been kidnapped by traffickers and forced into marriage! In his agitation, Robertson nearly lost his balance. Fortunately, Irene quickly caught him, preventing him from falling. Though Irene’s expertise was in battlefield first aid, she was well aware of the typical symptoms of an illness. One look, and she could tell Mr. Robertson had probably caught a cold from being out in the rain. She immediately poured a cup of hot water and handed it to him. As a true European, Mr. Robertson had little use for hot water in his life, except for bathing—let alone drinking it. Irene’s teacher, Kelly—full name Kelly Li—was from the East, so Irene had learned a lot about wellness from her, including the benefits of drinking hot water. Looking at the steaming cup of hot water, Robertson hesitated but then took it. Even if the child was still angry and wanted to scald him on purpose, so be it! What’s a little burn? Irene could tell from his expression that he was overthinking it. Smiling, she said, "You must have gotten chilled in the rain earlier. Drinking some hot water will help you ward off the cold." Robertson drank the hot water. Indeed, warmth spread through his body, reaching every limb. Irene’s voice wasn’t overly dramatic, but it was soothing: "You’ve just found me, and I’m still young—I need your care, so you must take good care of your health." Mr. Robertson burst into hearty laughter. The secretary standing nearby took note, giving Irene a second look. This was clearly meant to please an elder. Given Irene’s current abilities, she would do just fine without the protection of the Norman family. Assistant Barton had always spoken of how capable and impressive Irene was, and now it was clear—she was indeed extraordinary! In just a few words, she had turned Mr. Robertson’s tears into joy. She was truly a Norman, benefiting from that exceptional gene pool. Mr. Robertson’s expression brightened immediately, and he said, "Of course! Your father has been waiting years for you to come home. I’ve saved up so many good things for you—none of your brothers have them! They’re all yours!" Irene smiled and said, "Then you must promise to stay healthy." Stefan watched their conversation, thinking about the right moment to bring up his intention to renew the marriage agreement with Mr. Robertson. That moment came quickly. Mr. Robertson, still laughing at Irene’s words, said, "Good! Good! I’ll do as you say!" Then he turned, giving Stefan a sharp look. "Why are you here? Didn’t you say you didn’t want to continue the marriage agreement?"