After days passed, it was finally the weekend, and it was the day for Alan Walton to reunite with his new family, whose base is in Arkansas, in Bentonville.
Leaving the car with Ms. Alice, Alan, who was dressed by Alice as a little boy, couldn't help but be surprised by the grandeur of the manor belonging to the family recognized as the richest in America in 2024.
The sprawling estate stood as a testament to wealth and power, its imposing facade leaving Alan in awe.
Seeing Alan's surprised expression, Ms. Alice felt a sense of pride in her heart; after all, the house was founded by her father.
She began introducing the manor to Alan, guiding him through the ornate halls and lavish rooms, each filled with opulent furnishings and priceless artworks.
Before entering the banquet hall, she adjusted her hair and straightened Alan's tie, making sure everything was perfect.
Though her hands trembled slightly due to nervousness about how her siblings would react to her adopting Alan, she put on a confident front for his sake.
After entering, Alan was surprised to find fewer people than he had expected, but he quickly realized that it was a family affair, and there was no need for strangers.
The atmosphere in the hall was warm and welcoming, with soft music playing in the background and the scent of delicious food filling the air.
Upon entering the hall, the first thing Alice did was look for her father and mother, as she needed their support more than anyone else.
She found them surrounded by her siblings, engaged in lively conversation. Taking a deep breath, she approached them, a nervous flutter in her stomach.
Seeing his sister approaching with a little boy who seemed a bit indifferent, Robson Walton, the oldest son of Sam Walton, said, "Look who's here, if it isn't my sister and her little prince charming."
Alice Walton frowned slightly, her brother's tone difficult to decipher. Was it genuine affection or thinly veiled sarcasm? She couldn't be sure, but she brushed it off, determined not to let anything ruin this moment.
Her father and mother smiled warmly and welcomed her. Helen, Alice's mother, couldn't help but admire her daughter's thoughtful gesture while also feeling a pang of sadness about the possible conflict between her children and her failed marriage.
She put on a brave smile, hugged her daughter tightly, then took Alan's hands, hugged him, and said, "Welcome to the family, little guy."
Alan could sense a bit of hesitation from Helen, but he understood. After all, he knew the rumors and whispers surrounding his adoption. But he was determined to prove himself worthy of their love and acceptance.
After that, everything was alright at the banquet. Although there were some tense moments between the siblings, they knew how to restrain themselves and not make things difficult.
Life went on, and the banquet passed. When Alan turned seven years old, there was an official banquet, which caused quite a stir after the announcement that it was the lady of the Walton family who adopted him.
There were some rumors that she couldn't give birth and that the adopted child was lucky, along with other rumors reported by the media. However, they didn't dare to do much, as they were talking about the Walton family, not just anyone.
After dealing with the minor trouble of rumors and paparazzi, Alan's life returned to normal, and he went to school.
However, after the first year, he found school boring, so he begged Alice to let him drop out and be homeschooled. She refused at first, saying he needed friends, but seeing Alan desperately pleading, she softened her heart and allowed him to drop out and begin homeschooling.
Two years after being adopted, Alan, who was eight years old, decided it was time to start.