The Heiress They Lost Came Back Overpowered

"If I said I was scared, would you come warm my bed for me?" Yvonne Lowell asked, a teasing look in her eyes.

Leo Grant pursed his lips. "I can sleep in the guest room to keep you company."

"No need. See you tomorrow." Yvonne Lowell stood on her tiptoes and patted his head.

Leo Grant obediently lowered his head, making it easier for her to pat.

"Alright, I’m heading in. Thanks for today." With that, Yvonne Lowell went inside and shut the door.

The corner of Leo Grant’s mouth lifted into a slight smile as he murmured softly, "You don’t have to thank me. I wanted to."

Nolan Crawford, watching from the side, cringed. ’My brother tries to make his way into her house, only to get brutally shut down? This is huge news! Even more explosive than the girl patting my head! I can’t even imagine how much this tidbit would sell for back in Kingsland.’

Once Yvonne Lowell was inside, the smile slowly faded from Leo Grant’s face. He shot an irritated glance at Nolan Crawford. "Are you going to leave or not? What are you gawking at? Do I not have a house for you, or did you forget the code? What do you think you’re doing, loitering at her front door?"

Nolan Crawford: ??????

’Great, just great. So I, Nolan Crawford, am just his plain old punching bag, is that it?!’

’He gets rejected and takes it out on me? I’m mad! I’m not Leo Grant’s favorite little brother anymore.’

Leo Grant: ’Excuse me, you never were.’

...

They had agreed to leave at ten the next morning, but thanks to her internal clock, Yvonne Lowell was up a bit early.

She went downstairs, grabbed a bottle of orange juice, and had just taken a few sips when the doorbell rang.

She opened the door to see Silas Lynch.

Yvonne Lowell raised an eyebrow. "Silas Lynch? What are you doing here so early?"

"Miss Lowell," Silas Lynch said with a slight bow, "the Master guessed you might be up early. He sent me to check and, if you were, to invite you to breakfast."

"Alright. Come inside with me for a second, I have something for you to take." Yvonne Lowell led the way in.

It had been a long time since she’d been to Country A. She’d prepared five bottles of orange juice yesterday, drank one last night, and now there were four fresh ones left.

’Who knows when I’ll be back? Might as well give them away so they don’t go to waste.’

’After all, this orange juice is the good stuff. It’s not cheap.’

’This is no ordinary orange juice, but the very nectar from a Victor Ward poem~’

Yvonne Lowell jutted her chin toward the orange juice on the table. "Take these. It should be just enough for you all to share."

"Yes. Thank you, Miss Lowell." Silas Lynch picked up the orange juice from the table and followed her out.

’They just looked like a few plain, unbranded bottles of juice.’

’But his gut told him that anything from Miss Lowell had to be something special.’

’Don’t ask why he trusted his gut. The answer is simple: he’s a Scorpio, and a Scorpio’s intuition is always sharp!’

Yvonne Lowell walked over to the villa next door but didn’t see Leo Grant or Nolan Crawford.

Warren Lynch, who was standing nearby, greeted her. "Miss Lowell, the Master is in the dining room."

"What’s your name?" Yvonne Lowell asked, nodding at him.

"I’m Warren Lynch."

Yvonne Lowell’s eyebrow shot up. "Don’t tell me there’s also an Ian Lynch and a William Lynch?"

Warren Lynch blinked, stunned. "Miss Lowell, you’re amazing! How did you guess that?"

Silas, who was following behind her, facepalmed. ’Oh, for crying out loud!!!’

Yvonne Lowell found it amusing. ’Four top henchmen whose names essentially mean "to act without restraint." It wasn’t that hard to guess, was it?’

’It suits her Pretty Boy, though. He certainly has the resources to back up that kind of swagger.’

"By the way, are you much stronger than the average person?"

’She’d actually wanted to ask him that yesterday. She was sure her senses hadn’t been mistaken.’

Warren Lynch was even more surprised to hear this. "Miss Lowell, you could tell? I am a lot stronger than the others. None of them can beat me in a fight."

He added, lifting his chin with pride.

A knowing smile touched Yvonne Lowell’s lips. "So, are you coming back to Kingsland with us later? Or are you staying in Country A?"

"I mainly manage the Master’s overseas affairs, so I won’t be going to Kingsland," Warren Lynch said, scratching his buzz cut.

’But I really want to go to Kingsland!! The Master’s attention is completely captivated by that little sycophant Silas, he’s forgotten all about me!’

Hearing their voices, Leo Grant came over. "Why are you just standing out here? It’s time for breakfast."

"Hey, Pretty Boy, can he come back with us?" Yvonne Lowell asked, pointing to Warren Lynch.

Leo Grant raised an eyebrow but didn’t ask why. "Alright."

"Awesome! Let’s get breakfast, I’m starving." Getting the answer she wanted, Yvonne Lowell grabbed his hand and pulled him inside.

Warren Lynch was left standing there, stunned. ’The Master isn’t giving me the cold shoulder anymore? I get to go to Kingsland too? All hail Miss Lowell!!’

Silas shot him a disdainful look. ’I don’t get what’s so great about that big oaf that he managed to win Miss Lowell’s favor. I’ve been trying to get on her good side and haven’t gotten anywhere!!’

He shoved a bottle of orange juice into Warren’s arms. "Here, drink this. It’s from Miss Lowell. Maybe it’ll help your brain."

Yvonne Lowell: ’??? I never said that! That’s slander!’

Silas then took the other bottles of orange juice over to Leo Grant and Nolan Crawford, leaving Warren Lynch to cradle his bottle blissfully with both hands.

After breakfast, they left for the airport to begin their journey back to Kingsland.

...

「Back in Kingsland.」

After landing at Tidalview, the group walked past Yvonne Lowell’s villa, with Nolan Crawford gushing over her house.

"So that’s why this one’s not for sale. It really is the showpiece home of the development. It looks so much more luxurious than the others. Just look at that design."

Nolan Crawford sidled up to Yvonne Lowell. "Yvonne, my dear, can’t you sell one to me? I’m absolutely in love with this place, but they rejected my application during the screening process."

Yvonne Lowell raised an eyebrow. "Then maybe you should ask yourself why that is."

"Me? What could possibly be wrong with me? I’m perfect! Your staff must have made a mistake!" Nolan Crawford declared righteously.

’Actually, that was exactly what happened. Her employee had messed up and met his career’s Waterloo.’

At the time, Leo Grant and Nolan Crawford had submitted their applications at the same time. Their files were stacked together, so the staff assumed it was a single purchase. They completely overlooked Nolan’s application and only sent Leo’s for review.

The staff didn’t know, Nolan didn’t know, and Yvonne didn’t know...

"Alright, fine. There are five units left. Pick one and I’ll have someone process the paperwork for you."

Nolan Crawford’s puppy-dog eyes lit up, and he spread his arms to hug Yvonne Lowell. "Really? I’ve had my eye on one for ages—the one right next to my brother’s! Yvonne, you’re the best! I love you to death!!"

Leo Grant pushed him away with one hand, his voice deepening. "Watch your words, and keep your hands to yourself."

’Love? What love? So frivolous! Creepy! Perverted!’

Nolan Crawford pouted. ’If you’re jealous, just say it. Sheesh. Such a cranky, proud old man.’

Leo Grant reluctantly hooked his finger around hers. "Are you going back to the Lowell family estate now?"

"Not yet. I’m staying here for now. I’ll go back when it’s time to film the show."

Leo Grant was secretly ecstatic, fighting to keep the corners of his mouth from turning up into a massive grin. "Then... want to come over to my place for a bit?"

"Sure."

Leo Grant led her by the hand toward his house, leaving the three other men to stare at each other.

’Tsk, tsk. Look at that grin—harder to keep down than the recoil on an AK. Their brother/Master has been so thoroughly hooked, her line is about to pull his mouth into a permanent smile.’