The Heiress They Lost Came Back Overpowered

Leo Grant supported Old Master Ford as they walked over. He recognized the masked girl beside Elder Clark at a glance—it was his beloved girlfriend, whom he hadn’t seen for nearly half a month.

’He couldn’t help but feel a little confused. Didn’t she say she was going to teach a class? Why is she still in Kingsland? Then again, she never did say where she was going to teach. Damn, my mistake...’

’Seeing his intense stare, Yvonne Lowell suddenly felt a pang of guilt. She hadn’t replied to his messages for most of the day, and she hadn’t answered his call this morning...’

All she could do was give him a little wink, her eyes crinkling into a smile.

Leo Grant gave a resigned smile, his eyes full of adoration. ’How could he possibly question her now?’

...

"Old Man Ford is here." Elder Clark nodded at the newcomers.

"Old Man Chandler, what are you doing here in person? How is he?"

Old Master Ford appeared composed, but the knuckles of the hand gripping his cane had turned white.

"One gunshot wound to the arm, another to the left side of his chest. But you don’t need to worry too much. You’ve forgotten that boy has a mirrored heart, haven’t you? Besides, I’ve invited a divine doctor to be the chief surgeon. Fletcher will be fine," Elder Clark said reassuringly.

Seeing that his expression and tone were genuine, and knowing this was a man who was above telling lies, Old Master Ford’s heart settled slightly.

"What a mess! I’d just finished dinner and was in the middle of a chess game with my grandson when they sent word. His wife and child are coming from far away and are still on the road. It’ll probably be a while."

At these words, Elder Clark’s sharp gaze landed on Leo Grant, his eyes filled with undisguised scrutiny. "So this is the boy from the Grant Family?"

"Yes, that’s him. This is the grandson I told you about. What do you think? He’s not any worse than those rascals of mine, is he?" Old Master Ford beamed with pride when the question turned to his eldest grandson.

Leo Grant chose this moment to introduce himself. "Elder Clark, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Leo Grant."

He met the older man’s gaze without flinching, his expression calm and composed.

After a long moment, Elder Clark nodded. "Are you seeing anyone?"

Leo Grant’s expression softened slightly as he glanced at Yvonne Lowell, who was sitting diagonally across from him.

"I am. In fact, she’s sitting right next to you."

Elder Clark burst out laughing and gently patted Yvonne Lowell on the shoulder.

"This kid seems decent enough. He’s level-headed. I suppose he’s barely good enough for you."

Old Master Ford froze for a second, then looked over as well.

He had noticed the young woman sitting there earlier, but since Old Man Chandler hadn’t made an introduction, he felt it wasn’t his place to ask.

’Looking at her closely now, she does seem rather familiar. Could it be...?’

Yvonne Lowell took off her mask and smiled. "Grandpa Ford, it’s been a while."

"Well, I’ll be... Little Lowell, what are you doing here?" Old Master Ford asked, confused.

"The chief surgeon is a friend of mine. I came along with her."

Elder Clark scoffed. "Hmph, you make it sound so simple. You think just anyone can get Michael White to come over?"

"What did you just say?! The chief surgeon is the one and only Divine Doctor, Michael White?!"

Old Master Ford’s voice rose uncontrollably as he stared at the two of them in shock. He had assumed Old Man Chandler had simply called in some top surgeon as a guest for the operation.

Leo Grant was also taken aback. ’In such a short time since the incident, Michael White is already in the operating room...’

"Is there another person out there who dares to call themself Michael White? Besides, who else besides her is worthy of the title ’Divine Doctor’?"

Elder Clark snorted and looked at Yvonne. "I don’t know who you get that temperament from, always so unassuming. You’re going to suffer for it one day without anyone ever knowing."

Yvonne’s heart warmed. ’This dear old man is talking me up. But I’m really not that helpless, you know...’

Old Master Ford was a shrewd man himself; how could he not understand the implication? "Little Lowell, thank you. Truly."

Yvonne Lowell smiled. "You’re too kind. It was just a coincidence that she was in Kingsland, so she agreed to come take a look."

Old Master Ford sighed to himself. ’There’s no such thing as that many coincidences. She’s not taking the credit, but that doesn’t mean I can ignore the debt.’

’Getting Michael White to come was Little Lowell’s own achievement. This is a favor the Forrest Family now owes. We’ll have to find ways to help her out in the future. And maybe we can throw in an eldest grandson as a bonus.’

But then a thought seemed to strike him. He shot Leo Grant a complicated look. "Old Man Chandler, you were wrong just now. I’m now thinking this brat of mine is even less worthy of her."

"Grandpa."

Leo Grant said his name with a resigned sigh. ’He hadn’t even finished winning over the Lowell and Sutton Families, and now his own family was turning against him.’

"Hmph, was I wrong? What do you have going for you other than the reek of money? Little Lowell is even better at making money than you are. If you came up against a rival for her affection, what would you even do? Challenge him to a scripture-chanting contest?" The disdain on Old Master Ford’s face was impossible to hide.

’What he didn’t say aloud was that anyone so close to Elder Clark likely had other, hidden statuses.’

’...So? Does that mean I stink of money too?’

Elder Clark shot him a look. ’Does this old coot think I don’t know what he’s up to? Trying to play the victim and act pitiful? In his dreams!’

He cut in, "Alright, why are you meddling so much in the children’s affairs? Let the younger generation handle their own lives. You two youngsters go have a chat somewhere. No need to hang around us two old codgers."

"Alright. I’ll take you home later, then." Yvonne Lowell glanced at the sudden light in a certain someone’s eyes and didn’t object.

Elder Clark started to protest, but when he saw Yvonne Lowell staring at him with narrowed eyes, he just pursed his lips. "Fine, fine, I get it. Now, scram."

Yvonne Lowell smiled and nodded at Old Master Ford before being pulled away by Leo Grant.

...

The moment they reached a blind spot in the surveillance camera’s view, Leo Grant pressed his lips to hers.

The kiss was dominant and passionate, as if pouring out all the longing from their days apart.

When the kiss ended, Leo Grant buried his face in the crook of her neck. "Babe," he said, his voice muffled, "thank you."

"Don’t thank me. You should be thanking Michael White," Yvonne Lowell said, patting his back.

"I’ll thank Michael White, but I need to thank you even more."

"Then how do you plan on thanking me?"

Yvonne Lowell wrapped her arms around his waist, a teasing smile playing on her lips.

Leo Grant loosened his hold on her and raised an eyebrow. "How about I pay you with my body? A trade to save my uncle."

But Yvonne Lowell’s tone was hesitant.

"I’m suddenly realizing... you might not be worth that much."

At her words, a dangerous glint appeared in Leo Grant’s eyes.

"Yvonne Lowell, what’s that supposed to mean? It hasn’t even been half a month, and you’re already tired of me? So you’re all sweet talk, but your heart’s not really in it, is that right?"

Yvonne Lowell was rendered speechless, her expression a mixture of bewilderment and exasperation. ’Where did he learn all this nonsense?!’

Seeing her silence, Leo Grant looked utterly incredulous, as if he were staring at some two-timing lover.

"So I was right?! You’re speechless with guilt?! Is your silence an admission?!"

"I’m not! I didn’t! Stop spreading rumors!" Yvonne Lowell clamped her hand over his mouth.

Leo Grant remained perfectly still, letting her keep her hand over his mouth, his own hands holding her by the waist.

Just when Yvonne Lowell thought the rascal was actually angry and was wondering how to placate him, Leo Grant planted a soft kiss on her palm.

"You must have been exhausted these past few days, huh?"