Chapter 6

Henry's hand shook as he clutched the phone.

He tried to keep his voice steady, but his anger was barely contained. "Where are you?"

Julia didn't recognize the voice on the other end, nor did she connect the little girl with Henry.

She responded politely, "Sir, please don't worry. We just got off the plane and were planning to grab a bite. We brought her along. If you give me an address, I can bring her to you."

"No need. Just tell me where you are."

"Alright, I'm at the Azure Bay Hotel."

"Okay, I'll be there in half an hour." Henry hung up and turned to his assistant, Asher Davis. "Let's go to the Azure Bay Hotel."

"Got it." Asher had been with Henry for a few years, though not a long time. It was the first time he had seen the usually composed and formidable Henry so angry.

After hanging up, Julia couldn't help but be reminded of someone by the voice on the phone. It was so familiar!

"Order something," Caroline called out as Julia returned, handing her the menu. "We've all ordered what we want. It's just you left."

"Alright, let me take a look." Julia hadn't been back to Neoville in years and missed the local cuisine. Although she could find similar food abroad, it never quite tasted the same.

Julia ordered a few dishes she particularly craved and glanced at Tiffany, who was sitting quietly beside her, observing everyone with her big, cautious eyes.

Julia, experienced in raising a son, could tell the little girl was shy around strangers. "What do you usually like to eat?" she asked gently, softening her tone to make Tiffany feel more comfortable.

Tiffany looked up at Julia with her beautiful, watery eyes but remained silent.

Julia turned to the dessert page and patiently asked, "Do you like this?"

Tiffany shook her head.

"What about this one?"

Tiffany shook her head again.

Julia went through almost the entire page, but Tiffany didn't show interest in any of the options.

Caroline, seeing Julia's patience with the little girl, chimed in, "Sweetie, we're not bad people. If we were, we wouldn't have called your family. You heard your daddy's voice, right? He's on his way and will be here in half an hour. Are you sure you don't want to eat something?"

Tiffany lowered her gaze, looking very pitiful.

"Never mind, if she doesn't want to eat, she doesn't have to," Julia said, gently patting Tiffany's head.

Joseph and Stephen were playing happily together.

Tiffany watched them for a moment before looking away. She then carefully tugged on Julia's sleeve.

Julia turned to her. "What's wrong?"

Tiffany jumped off her chair and pointed towards the door, clearly wanting to go outside.

Julia understood and stood up. "You want me to wait outside with you for your daddy?"

Tiffany nodded slightly.

"Alright." Julia took her hand and led her out of the private room, waiting at the entrance of the Azure Bay Hotel.

The Azure Bay Hotel was one of the most renowned places in Neoville, known for its exceptional local cuisine. It was a place frequented by the city's elite, and reservations during peak times had to be made weeks in advance.

The hotel's decor was modern, and the first-floor lobby was almost devoid of visible staff, replaced by artificial intelligence. Robots were assigned various tasks, from greeting guests at the entrance to cleaning and assisting with inquiries.

Julia scanned the lobby and spotted a few empty seats. "Let's sit over there so your dad can see us when he arrives."

Tiffany nodded.

As they sat down, they overheard a conversation from the nearby lounge area.

"Did you see the news? The Hearst family's little princess is missing. They've turned Neoville upside down looking for her, but she's still not found!"

"Do you think she was kidnapped? Rich people's kids usually get taken for ransom, right?"

"It's not clear yet, but who would be foolish enough to risk it? That's Henry's daughter. He treats her like a treasure. Anyone who kidnaps her is asking for trouble. They might get the money, but they won't live to spend it."

Henry? Daughter?

Hearing Henry's name after six years made Julia's mind wander.

The conversation continued, "I heard the Hearst family's little princess is perfect in every way, except she can't speak. If an ordinary family had a mute child, they'd be worried sick. But this girl is like a gift from God, born into the Hearst family and treated like a princess."

"Exactly."

Mute?

Julia suddenly had a realization. She looked at Tiffany with a new understanding. The little girl she had found hadn't spoken a word. Her clothes and demeanor didn't seem like those of an ordinary child. And the voice on the phone...

Could it be that she had found Henry's daughter?

Julia shook her head to clear her thoughts.

Tiffany tilted her head, watching her.

Just then, Caroline called, "Has the little girl's dad arrived? When are you coming back? We're all waiting for you."

"I..." Julia didn't know how to explain.

"What's wrong? Just say it."

"Have you seen the news?" Julia asked Caroline.

"Of course," Caroline replied smoothly. Then she paused, realizing something. "You mean..."

"Yes."

Years of friendship had given them an unspoken understanding of each other. Sometimes, they didn't even need to finish their sentences to know what the other meant. And Caroline knew all too well what had happened to Julia six years ago.

Caroline was shocked. "No way, such a coincidence?"

And if the little girl was indeed Henry's daughter, it meant that right after Julia and Henry divorced, his first love had gotten pregnant?

Julia and Henry had been married for a few years. Was he really in such a hurry?

Julia couldn't help but feel a bit bitter. "Maybe it is just a coincidence."

Caroline, sensing Julia's predicament, asked, "Henry is on his way. What are you going to do?"