The Heiress They Lost Came Back Overpowered
Chapter 9 - 8: Lowell Manor

Chapter 9: Chapter 8: Lowell Manor

Lowell Manor sat halfway up a mountain. After several expansions, it had become a luxurious estate.

Grandpa and Grandma Lowell only had two sons: her father, Charles Lowell, and her younger uncle, Caleb Lowell. Her uncle chose to enter politics, so her father took over the Lowell Group from Grandpa Lowell and grew the company.

Later, they each started their own families, but without any of the scheming and backstabbing common in other wealthy clans. It wasn’t like there was a throne to inherit, so what was the point of fighting? Besides, they had more money than they could ever spend; it was just a number to them.

Thus, the brothers were close, and their wives got along splendidly. Every month, everyone would return to the manor to spend some time with the elders.

Because the Lowell elders had never had a daughter, they pinned all their hopes on their grandchildren, wishing for a sweet, cuddly little granddaughter—preferably more than one.

After her parents fell in love, they first had her eldest brother, Caleb Lowell, and her second brother, Harrison Lowell. Her uncle and aunt, on the other hand, were childhood sweethearts who had been deskmates in elementary school. After high school, her uncle practically tricked her into an engagement. In their second year of marriage, they had her cousin, Frank Lowell. The birth took a toll on her aunt’s body, and doctors said it would be difficult for her to conceive again.

So when they found out her mother, Wendy Sutton, was pregnant with twins, you can imagine how ecstatic everyone was. They bought two sets of all the baby supplies—for girls, of course.

’And if they turned out to be boys? Well, with so many older brothers, they could just make do with some hand-me-downs.’

When Wendy Sutton finally gave birth and they discovered she’d had fraternal twins—a boy and a girl—everyone was overjoyed. One girl was better than none at all.

Looking at the rosy, delicate little Yvonne Lowell, the elders showered her with gifts as if money were no object. The presents ranged from entire islands, properties, and company shares, down to a princess-themed room, little dresses, and jewelry. Within days of her birth, her net worth had already exceeded a hundred million.

Later, her aunt, Mandy Crawford, had an unexpected second pregnancy. Everyone worried it would take a toll on her health and advised her to terminate it. But her aunt insisted, unable to bear the thought of harming that small life.

’When the baby was born... heh. It was a boy. Maybe they should have gone through with "harming" it after all.’

’But the thought of having one more little rascal to protect his older sister made them feel slightly better.’

And what about the Sutton family? Her eldest maternal uncle and his wife had two sons as well.

So, you can only imagine just how cherished Yvonne Lowell was.

...

The car had just pulled into the estate when she saw a large group of people waiting at the entrance of the main building.

Nearly every member of the family was present, with a row of servants standing behind them.

Yvonne Lowell was momentarily stunned by the grand reception.

Perhaps sensing her thoughts, Wendy Sutton patted her hand reassuringly. "Don’t be nervous. Everyone just missed you so much that they all came back today. The only one missing is Genevieve. She just started her senior year, so she couldn’t get time off. She’ll be back after school."

"I’m fine, Mom, don’t worry." Yvonne Lowell replied with a smile and opened the car door.

The moment she stepped out, two elderly ladies in cheongsams came jogging over, moving with surprising speed.

Yvonne Lowell was pulled into a tight embrace. "Nola, my dear Nola..."

’Great, now two more were crying.’

Hugging the two ladies back, she said, "Grandma, Nana."

"Oh, it’s so good to have you back. You must have suffered so much all these years, haven’t you? Just look at how thin you’ve become! We need to fatten you up." After speaking, the two of them continued to hold her tight, refusing to let go.

Grandpa Lowell couldn’t take it anymore. "Ahem. Alright, that’s enough. Don’t scare the child." ’I haven’t even had a chance to hug her yet,’ he thought.

"Don’t think for a second I don’t know what you’re thinking!" Grandma Lowell shot him a glare.

The younger family members all tried to hide their laughter. Grandpa Lowell rubbed his nose in a self-conscious gesture.

Who would have ever guessed that the famously formidable Robert Lowell was actually henpecked?

Yvonne Lowell gently pulled away and greeted the rest of her family one by one. "Hello, Grandpa, Grandpa Sutton, all my uncles and aunts, and my three brothers."

"Ah, Nola!" everyone exclaimed, their faces breaking into wide smiles.

Grandpa Lowell shot a smug look at Grandpa Sutton. "Nola greeted me first, you know."

"Hmph. I’m too happy today to bicker with you," Grandpa Sutton retorted without even glancing his way.

The two old men had been getting on each other’s nerves since they were young. The Suttons were a family of scholars, and Grandpa Lowell found Grandpa Sutton’s way of speaking too stuffy. Grandpa Sutton, in turn, couldn’t stand Grandpa Lowell’s booming voice. It was a miracle they hadn’t come to blows after all these years and had somehow ended up as in-laws.

Her younger uncle, Silas Sutton, grumbled to himself: ’Hmph, I’m her favorite uncle, anyway.’

"Alright, let’s head inside," Charles Lowell announced. "Nola has brought gifts for everyone. Uncle Grant, could you have some people help carry them in?"

Uncle Grant was the grandfather of a certain Assistant Grant. He had been serving Old Mr. Lowell since his youth and, after retiring, simply stayed on at Lowell Manor as the butler.

Butler Grant quickly agreed and led four servants to unload the large suitcases from the car.

In the living room, Yvonne Lowell handed out the gifts, each one chosen with perfect consideration for the recipient.

In truth, no one would have said a thing even if Yvonne Lowell had arrived empty-handed.

But it was clear she had put thought into each present, choosing things that perfectly suited everyone’s tastes, which naturally made them even happier.

Looking at the presents they gave her in return, even Yvonne Lowell, who had little concept of money, was stunned. This was all a bit too extravagant.

Her aunt, Mandy Crawford, emerged from the kitchen carrying a tray. She walked over and took Yvonne Lowell’s hand, her eyes glistening. "Nola, dear, your auntie remembers how you used to love my Osmanthus Cake and ginger milk curd. I made them for you this morning. I’m not sure if your tastes have changed, but would you like to try some and see if they’re still the same?"

Mandy Crawford had always wanted a daughter, but she’d had a son. Then her brothers-in-law and her own brothers all had sons as well. It seemed she was fated to never have a connection with a daughter.

Thankfully, her older sister-in-law later gave birth to a girl, so Mandy had always treated the child as her own daughter. She had been heartbroken by her disappearance all these years and had frequently used her own connections to try and find her.

At her words, Yvonne Lowell tried a bit of each. "I love them. Thank you, Auntie."

"Oh, I’m so glad you like them! I’ll make more for you another day." Mandy Crawford gently stroked Yvonne’s head. "Our Nola has grown into such a fine young woman. It’s truly wonderful."

Charles Lowell, standing to the side, spoke up. "I’ve gathered everyone here today not just to welcome Nola home, but also to discuss something else. I want to host a homecoming banquet for her. Even though the news is already online, we need to make an official statement. This will prevent any tactless people in our circle from thinking we don’t value her and causing her any trouble."

"We absolutely must! And it has to be a grand affair!" Grandma Lowell declared, slamming her hand on the table with a formidable air. "She’s the precious jewel of both our families. We can’t have anyone looking down on her."

The Iron Lady of the business world who had built an empire with Grandpa Lowell was hardly a simple woman. Just because she now wore cheongsams and smiled demurely behind a handkerchief, did people think she had gone soft? That she had become a pushover anyone could mess with?

If anyone actually thought that, well, their bravery was commendable, to say the least.

The Suttons all chimed in, agreeing enthusiastically. Only Grandpa Lowell remained silent, sitting off to the side.

As the others began to excitedly discuss plans for the banquet, Grandpa Lowell stood up. "Nola, come to the study with me."

"Okay, Grandpa." Yvonne Lowell walked over to support him, and they headed upstairs together.