Chapter 5

Abel cautiously glanced at the lingering darkness in Lazarus' expression. "Mr. Quinton said Ms. Steele didn't object to the engagement with you."

After saying that, he hesitated. He firmly believed that Lazarus had repaid everything he owed to Jonah for saving his life. There was no need to sacrifice his own marriage as well, even though he had little interest in women.

Before Piper was found, Lazarus' intended bride had been Rosalie. Willful and rebellious, she treated Lazarus like a servant, ordering him around, and even publicly rejected the marriage. She then turned around and ran off with a famous male singer.

For the next six months, Lazarus had been the target of no small amount of ridicule.

Now Jonah had effectively handed Lazarus to Piper, along with his assets and shares, without even asking whether Lazarus was willing to go along with the arrangement.

While Abel didn't know what kind of personality Piper had, he felt that being an heiress somehow corrupted people. None of the young socialites or wealthy women in Gemdale's high society seemed likable to him.

Just then, Lazarus read the part about how Piper had nearly died alone on the operating table. His expression remained impassive as he said, "I promised Mr. Crane that I would protect everything he built. That includes Clarion and his daughter, and it doesn't matter whether I marry her or not. If she's willing, it'll save us a lot of trouble."

His eyebrows didn't move, but his voice was frighteningly cold.

Then he turned to Piper's college résumé, and his hand paused. He looked more closely at the woman in the photograph. Her features were delicate and refined, and her eyes sparkled like gemstones. A hint of youthful innocence lay beneath her air of unmistakable resilience.

It was her.

The corner of Lazarus' mouth moved slightly, the faint curve reflected in the silver of his cufflink.

Lazarus handed the tablet back to Abel and instructed him, "Buy the house Ms. Steele owns in Southgrove. Pay twice its value."

Abel was taken aback. Whatever for?

…

Crane Manor was situated in a prime location in Gemdale. Piper followed William through the gate on the southeastern side of the compound.

Trees and flowers filled the lawn, which was dotted with small fish ponds. The outer walls and pillars were carved with intricate motifs. It was a fairly traditional-looking mansion.

The colors were understated, while the architecture was grand and imposing. Even the caged birds seemed to shimmer with a sheen of gold.

Close to 50 staff members stood in two lines along the path. From the moment Piper stepped through the gate, voices welcoming her home continued until she reached the front door.

"Welcome home, miss."

Piper did her best to maintain a calm expression, but the sweat gathering in her palms betrayed her nervousness.

A female staff member opened the front door. In the warm light inside stood a middle-aged man with a cane and a kind expression.

Jonah's usually stern eyes shimmered with tears the moment he saw Piper. His lips trembled several times before he finally managed to speak. "Piper… My girl…"

In his excitement, he forgot that his legs were unsteady. He stumbled and nearly fell. Isaac Grant, the family's butler, was just about to rush over when William stopped him with a look.

Piper had already instinctively reached out and caught Jonah.

Jonah's fingers clutched her arm tightly. The moment their gazes met, Piper's eyes burned with tears, but she held them back.

Jonah carefully studied Piper, from her hair to her eyes and brows, as though she were a priceless treasure he had to cherish and protect. He couldn't tear his eyes away. He even summoned the family doctor to confirm that Piper had fully recovered before finally relaxing.

Everyone assumed that after more than 20 years apart, it would take time for Jonah and Piper to become familiar with each other. Instead, William and Isaac ended up waiting outside for an entire hour while the father-daughter duo chatted warmly.

Isaac glanced at his watch and gently reminded him, "Mr. Crane, it's time for your medication."

Soon, Piper emerged from the living room.

"I'll take Dad back to his room."

Only then did Isaac get a good look at Piper's face. His nose prickled when he realized just how much she looked like Evelyn.

Meanwhile, the smile never left Jonah's face. The tenderness and affection in his eyes made Piper feel as though she were still a little girl.

Back in the bedroom, Piper wanted to help Jonah into bed. Seeing the faint dark circles beneath his daughter's eyes, he said lovingly, "It's fine. It's getting late. You should get some rest."

After a pause, he added, "The bedroom… I'm not sure whether you'd like it. If there's anything you don't like, have the staff change it immediately."

Then he emphasized with complete seriousness, "This is your home. I want everything to be exactly to your preference. I want you to be comfortable. Don't ever settle for anything less."

Piper knew that Crane Manor was probably decked out in the finest luxuries, but when she actually saw the bedroom, something inside her softened completely.

The silk bedding was decorated with Ferris wheel patterns. The stars on the curtains actually glowed. The bedside lamp was shaped like a mushroom. A revolving music box played the melody she had loved most as a child.

The bookshelf opposite the bed was packed with everything from childhood picture books to the professional books she enjoyed reading now. Several of them were books she had always wanted but that had long since gone out of print.

This had been her biggest dream ever since the Steeles stopped caring about her. It all started when she went home for a break, only to find her bedroom filled with random boxes.

Feeling uneasy, she went to ask Fiona about it, only to hear, "This is my house. I have the right to decide what to do with the rooms. Besides, I paid your boarding fees."

Piper hadn't dared to hear any more after that. She'd even wished Fiona would drop it, too.

After returning to school, she had secretly drawn her dream bedroom, dreaming every night that her parents would love her again.

Later, after meeting Harvey, she bought a house and finally had a home of her own, but she had prioritized his preferences above everything else.

Piper had never imagined that this drawing would one day become real. Even when she'd felt the intensity of the warmth and love Jonah had for her earlier, she hadn't shed a single tear. But now she slowly crouched down and buried her face against her knees, her shoulders trembling.

Seeing her, the maid said nervously, "Miss, if there's anything you don't like, please tell me."

She tried to make her voice sound calm. "It's not that. I just… like it too much."

The maid couldn't help wiping away her own tears. She knew that if Evelyn were still alive, she would have been so happy to see her daughter come home.

"Oh, there's warm milk on the table. Remember to drink it before you go to sleep, miss."

Piper was surprised to spot flecks of cinnamon in the milk. Her eyes flickered. It was probably just a coincidence.

Ever since she had been sent to boarding school, she no longer had someone reminding her to have some warm milk before bed. She had long since lost the habit herself.

…

Early the next morning, Jonah had the kitchen prepare a variety of breakfast food. The spread was so lavish that Piper didn't quite know what to do with herself.

"I know you used to love these shrimp puffs, Pip. And bagels and coffee have been your go-to breakfast these past few years. Go ahead and try everything. You can tell the kitchen staff what you feel like eating, too. They'll make anything you want."

Jonah was in remarkably good spirits that morning.

"Thank you, Dad."

Piper picked up a shrimp puff and took a bite. Her expression suddenly froze. The cinnamon in the milk could've been a coincidence, but surely the taste of the shrimp puff was one, too.

"Dad." Her voice trembled slightly. "Can I meet the person who made these shrimp puffs?"

Jonah chuckled. "Of course. She's dying to see you too."

"Miss!"

Hearing that voice, Piper nearly lost her composure. She turned around, and tears immediately flooded her eyes. "Darla! It really is you!"

Darla McGuire had been the Steele family's housekeeper. Because the Steele couple had been busy with work, she could practically be said to have raised Piper herself.

After Piper was sent to boarding school and forbidden from returning home, Darla would make the long trip every week just to bring her food.

Darla threw her arms around Piper and refused to let go. "I never thought I'd get to see you again, miss."

Isaac discreetly pulled Darla away from Piper. He was worried Jonah might get jealous. After all, Piper hadn't even hugged him yet.

"Mr. Crane brought Darla and her family to Gemdale as well. From now on, she can stay here and take care of you without any worries, miss," Isaac reported.

Piper crouched down beside Jonah and rested her cheek against his chest. Her voice was soft and gentle as she said, "Thank you, Dad."

Jonah looked a little emotional. "Don't be silly, my child. I owe you far more than that."

Piper choked back her tears. Just a few days ago, she had been lying alone on an operating table, waiting to die. It felt as though that had happened in another lifetime.

"Pip, I'm going to the company this morning. Lazarus will come pick you up at 10:00 am. The two of you can choose a few outfits for tomorrow night's dinner."

Jonah gently patted her shoulder. "You young people probably have similar tastes."

Jonah didn't mention the engagement. He didn't say much about Lazarus either. Beyond trusting Lazarus, he was also giving her the freedom and space to make her own decision.

Piper had always been punctual and disliked making other people wait. She was ready well before 10:00 am.

Darla wasn't aware of the situation between Piper and Harvey. But after hearing from Isaac that Lazarus was Piper's fiance, she studied Piper carefully.

Dressed in a cream-colored coat, Piper had applied only a little lipstick to brighten her complexion. She looked beautiful, of course, but…

"Miss, this is your first time meeting your fiance. Aren't you dressed a little too casually?"

"This isn't a business meeting. As long as I'm clean and presentable enough to show that I respect the other person, that's enough."

Darla thought of something and leaned closer, lowering her voice. "I asked around among the staff. They say Mr. Lazarus is handsome and has good character. It's just…"

Since she had always treated Piper like a daughter, she didn't hold back. "Before you came back, he was supposed to marry that other Ms. Crane. They grew up together—practically inseparable childhood sweethearts. Everyone knows he was devoted to her, which is why he's always kept his distance from other women."

Piper tensed a little. The words "childhood sweethearts" made her think of Harvey and Cecilia.

"I heard Ms. Crane publicly rejected his proposal, and he didn't even get angry."