The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 350 A Press Conference (Part Four)

"All distinguished guests..." Arthur cleared his throat and said to everyone in the audience. "I believe everyone is here today to give our beloved Autumn a wonderful birthday celebration. And how can a birthday be complete without a cake?"

Meanwhile, a hotel staff was wheeling in a huge cake with life sized and vivid figures of Autumn from ages one to three years on one end and her present appearance on the other end. There was some space in the middle that were left out intentionally to show the gap of years in between.

The birthday girl was overcome with mixed feeling at the sight of her birthday cake.

She recalled her impoverished family during her younger days when she could not take pictures at will with a phone camera, and her father would take her to a photo studio instead. However Bowen later plunged into illness with insufficient money to support her family. As a result, Autumn's long span of growth did not have any single picture to show for it.

Autumn became uncontrollably emotional over her sad childhood at the sight of the birthday cake.

"Be calm, be happy and be free of sadness." Charles tried his best to console and soothe her with comforting words, "Today is your birthday. You should be happy rather than sad." Autumn quickly gathered herself and controlled her emotions.

Amy stood beside Arthur and waved to Autumn, "My beloved granddaughter, come here. It is time to cut the birthday cake."

Meanwhile, those present began to suspect the unusual closeness that they had a little too close, sharing each other's happiness and sadness.

"Autumn, please forgive my absence from your childhood... And I could not figure out what you looked like then." Amy spoke through her sobs, feeling guilty over Autumn's troubled childhood.

"Now I am living in peace and comfort. Let us not dwell in the past." Autumn replied gently and calmly. Meanwhile, Arthur handed the knife over to Autumn and urged her, "Please do the honor of cutting the cake."

Autumn gave the biggest share to Arthur and Amy in reverence. "My grandparents, please eat first."

"My good granddaughter." Amy could not control her tears.

Then, Amy was assisted off the platform and Emily tried to soothe her. "Amy, since Autumn has reunited with you, it is worth celebrating!"

"I consider it a blessing to win back my granddaughter!" Amy was too emotional over her joyful reunion mixed with pity over Autumn.

Autumn stood beside Emily and Amy, while Arthur made an official statement after Amy contained her emotion. "Besides the celebration of Autumn's birthday, I have an important thing to proudly announce in this press conference."

Everyone present were awaiting earnestly Arthur's statement.

Arthur looked at his granddaughter, then addressed the audience, "Let it be known to all our friends, family, partners and acquaintances, that this beautiful lady here beside me, who goes by the name, Autumn, is my verifiable granddaughter. From now on, she bears my surname, Zhao, to solemnize the relationship."

"What a piece of shocking news!" The guests were astounded. But Arthur knew beforehand the collective disbelief and doubt that would come after his announcement. He did not bother to stop the sensation. "What is the truth to Autumn's identity? Autumn, as we know, is the daughter of Wendy Ye!"

"The fact that Autumn edged her way into the Lu Family on behalf of Yvonne was already a sensation. We never expected something like this would follow."

"Autumn was thought to be an unsuitable wife to Charles. Now it is surprising to learn that she actually comes from a family of scholars and merchants enough to rival the Lu family." "Autumn never fails to surprise us."

Arthur continued when the noise had died down. "Despite the apparent disbelief and doubt among you all, I can make a guarantee that Autumn is my granddaughter. I am overcome with guilt for being absent from her life when she needed family care badly."

Arthur sighed and continued, "I consider it a blessing to reunite with her and make up for all the lost years. You are kindly requested to favor her with the same support and trust that you have always given the Zhao family."

Rachel was nearly eaten up by her jealousy at the realization of Autumn's status being exponentially elevated.

She was no longer comparable to Autumn now.

"Doctor Zhao, as far as I am concerned, your son died young. This so-called 'granddaughter' gives rise to our prevailing doubts. Are we missing something?" Someone challenged Arthur with a question. "My son, Bowen, died an untimely death. He had a daughter, this lady here, "Arthur gestured to Autumn and continued, "who was brought up by a maidservant of my family. Before that, Bowen eloped with a faithless woman. Luck had it that the maidservant, Emily, followed them to take care of Autumn even after my son had passed away. My family.... owes much to Emily." Arthur, on behalf of the whole family, remained grateful to Emily for raising Autumn up to make their reunion possible.

"Autumn is a good girl. Now I make her true identity known to all of you in hopes of sharing my happiness to have won back my granddaughter." The Zhao family patriarch spoke with laughter and all smiles. "Doctor Zhao, what about Autumn's mother? She should have also come to celebrate Autumn's birthday. Moreover, have you gotten Wendy Ye's approval in giving Miss Ye your surname?" A reporter brought forth another issue.

Sensing Arthur's inability to respond to this question, Autumn strode on toward the platform and addressed the reporter, "I am old and mature enough to make my own decision and bear the resulting consequence. My late father's surname was Zhao and it is justifiable for me to adopt his surname."

Autumn continued after a pause, "My late father is my most revered man."

"In that case, you should not have adopted your mother's surname!"

"At that time, I was powerless to make this decision by myself." Autumn replied with great composure.

"Moreover, are you intent on severing the blood relation between you and your mother, as you keep this important matter a secret to her?" The reporter bombarded Autumn with a more strategic question. Autumn was about to defend herself, when the door was dramatically burst open. Naturally, everyone's attention was drawn toward the large door.