�What�s happening?� Renee gasped, her eyes wide as she hid behind Justin.

�Is there going to be a war? Are they going to kill me?� Renee thought to herself, her heart pounding.

Justin caressed her head and grinned sheepishly. �This is the Baldwin family�s overly lavish welcome tradition� I tried to warn you.�

Renee narrowed her eyes at him. �You should�ve tried harder.�

Finally, she exhaled deeply and grumbled, �They nearly gave me a heart attack. I thought they were trying to kill me!�

�Don�t worry, you�re a guest of the Baldwin family. We can�t possibly murder you!� Justin grinned at her cheekily, then grabbed her hand and said, �Since we�re acting, we gotta make it look real. If not, my grandfather will be able to tell we�re faking it!�

Renee cooperatively held his hand and nodded. �Don�t worry, I got this!�

The two walked towards the group, holding hands.

Renee saw an elderly man in uniform standing amid the troops. His outfit was adorned with medals, and he emerged from a tank with a man and a woman.

�Grandpa! Dad! Mom!� Tears of joy welled up in Justin�s eyes as he excitedly waved at them. It had been a long time since he�d been back, and he missed his family. He let go of Renee�s hand and opened his arms to embrace them happily.

However, instead of an embrace, he received a smack on the face as the old man pushed him aside. �Move aside, brat!�

Austin impatiently moved in front of Justin and smiled warmly at Renee.� Are you Renee? Maurice�s granddaughter?�

Renee was stunned by Austin�s enthusiasm and nodded awkwardly. �Yes, that�s me.�

Austin�s eyes glistened with emotion as he said, �I�ve been waiting for this day for 20 years� Maurice saved my life, but because of my arrogance and hatred for the Hunt family, I ruined my friendship with him. I even missed out on the opportunity to see him one last time.�

�You are definitely Maurice�s granddaughter. You look just like him, and your noble demeanor tells me that you were born to lead.� The old man studied her with adoration in his eyes.

Justin�s parents, Jack Baldwin and Sophia Jordan, admired Renee too.

�Miss Renee, you are stunning. You�d be a perfect future daughter-in-law! I have to thank the Hunt family for letting go of such a wonderful treasure.� Sophia patted Renee�s hand and smiled at her kindly.

�Of course! Miss Renee�s mother is a well-known beauty in Beach City, after all � tons of men were fighting for her hand back then,� Jack said in amusement. �Miss Renee is just as beautiful as her mother!�

Renee was so overwhelmed by their enthusiasm that she didn�t know what to do. She could only smile awkwardly and glanced at Justin for help.

Getting her cue, Justin instantly pulled her behind him. �Behave, everyone� You�re scaring my girlfriend!� JrNovels.com