Irene found Joseph resting in his chair, just as she remembered. Time seemed to melt away as she stood in the doorway, watching the man who'd been her only real ally in the Sterling family.
"Grandpa," she called softly. "I'm here."
Joseph's eyes popped open instantly, his whole face lighting up brighter than Times Square on New Year's Eve. "My dear girl!" He perked up in his chair, arms reaching out. "Finally! Get over here, let me see how gorgeous you've become."
"Oh my," he beamed as she came closer, eyes sparkling with pride. "Just perfect! Even more stunning than I imagined. See? I always told everyone my granddaughter was a diamond in the rough. Living with that fast-food worker's family just kept your true nature hidden." He grinned, looking pretty pleased with himself. "How could you not be extraordinary? You're a Sterling, after all! That Vein boy must have been completely blind!"
Warmth spread through Irene's chest. This right here - this was why she'd come back. Not for the Sterling name or fortune, but for this adorable old man who'd never stopped believing in her. "These past years, Grandpa, I've followed your advice. Worked on improving myself. That's why I'm different now - finally worthy of coming back to see you."
"Of course, of course..." Joseph's voice went all soft and mushy. "And look how far you've come! My brilliant girl - a renowned surgeon, making waves in the medical field!"
His expression darkened suddenly. "Those foolish parents of yours should see you now. Throwing away their own daughter while treating someone else's child like precious gold. Absolute madness!"
Something flickered in Irene's eyes at his words. When her true identity had been revealed six months before she left, Joseph had insisted Anna return to her biological parents - the fast-food workers who had raised Irene. But John and Rose, too proud to admit they'd backed the wrong horse for twenty years, had refused to let their perfectly groomed society princess go. Two years ago, against Joseph's vehement objections, they'd officially adopted Anna. Now she remained the Sterling family's darling daughter, while Irene, their true heir, lived in obscurity.
"Grandpa," Irene squeezed his hand gently. "What they think doesn't matter anymore. Your opinion is the only one I care about. I'm not here to show off my achievements. I'm here for you, and to wrap up that old engagement business. Once I find a suitable place and get settled in, I'd love to have you come stay with us. We could take proper care of your health there. What do you think?"
"Of course, my dear, of course. Whatever you say." Joseph perked right up at that idea. "This house feels suffocating anyway. I'd much rather spend time with you and my three precious great-grandchildren."
The mention of the triplets totally dissolved his previous grumpiness, his eyes lighting up like Christmas lights. "Speaking of them - they know who I am, right? Are they safe at the hotel?" His eyes crinkled with worry. "Such clever, adorable children... shouldn't leave them alone too long."
Irene couldn't help laughing. "Don't worry, Grandpa. Those three? They're way too smart for their own good. Anyone trying to mess with them would end up regretting it."
A gentle knock interrupted their chat. James appeared, his butler-perfect posture softened by genuine warmth. "Miss Irene, Mr. and Mrs. Sterling have returned. They're requesting your presence downstairs."
Joseph's expression hardened. "Ready to face them?"
"Always," Irene smoothed down her dress. Five years had given her more than just confidence - it had given her perspective. These people might share her blood, but they weren't her family. Not really.
The moment Irene glided down those stairs into the main hall, all conversation screeched to a halt. John stared at her like he'd seen a ghost. "Is that... you?"
Joseph's snort could've won awards for sarcasm. "Can't even recognize your own daughter now, John?"
Anna couldn't tear her eyes away from Irene. *God, she's completely different*, she thought. *Back then, she was just this awkward girl who screamed 'fast-food worker's kid' from a mile away. But now...* Even Anna had to admit Irene carried herself with the natural grace of old money, as if she'd been born into it. Which, technically, she had been.
The way Joseph looked at Irene made Anna's chest tight enough to burst. In all her years as the Sterling's daughter, he had never once shown her such unconditional love and pride. Not even when she'd graduated top of her class, not when she'd helped secure that merger for Sterling Group. Nothing she did ever earned that kind of warmth from him.
Richard couldn't stop staring either, his eyes following Irene's every movement like a lovesick puppy. *If she'd looked like this five years ago...* He found himself seriously regretting his hasty decision to dump her.
Anna's jaw clenched as she caught Richard's obvious fascination with Irene. Her stomach did an uncomfortable flip - she'd seen that look in his eyes before, but never directed at her with such intensity. A flicker of unease ran through her; after all, Irene was the true Sterling heir. What if...?
"Hello, Grandfather." Anna stepped forward, trying to break the tension.
Joseph's response could've frozen hell over. "Why are you here? Sterling family business doesn't concern outsiders."
"Jeez, Dad!" John jumped in immediately. "Come on, Anna was our daughter for twenty years. She's still our adopted daughter now. You can't just treat her like that!"
"Oh, can't I?" Joseph's voice dripped enough sarcasm to fill a pool. "Let me make this crystal clear - blood is blood. My real granddaughter is standing right here, while you two..." He glared at John and Rose. "You tossed aside your own flesh and blood for someone else's kid. What blinded you? Your precious pride? Or was it just more convenient?"
Rose's lip curled in disgust. "I don't have such a disgraceful daughter."
Joseph's rage was palpable, his arm trembling with anger. "Say that again!" he thundered.
"Grandpa," Irene cut in smoothly, cool as a cucumber. "Please don't upset yourself. Your health is what matters."
She turned to face her parents, wearing her best 'dealing with difficult patients' expression. "Look, I'm not here to fight over any daughter status. Let's just get straight to the point: I'm totally fine with ending the engagement with the Vein family. Whatever paperwork you need, let's get it done. I've got better things to do with my time."
Her casual tone caught everyone except Joseph off guard. They'd expected her to put up some kind of fight, maybe try to salvage the engagement with Richard. After all, she had been crazy about him back then.
Richard's smirk faltered slightly. Her complete indifference wasn't the reaction he'd anticipated. That poised confidence, that matter-of-fact dismissal - it had to be an act, right? *Playing hard to get*, he decided, his smirk returning. *Well played, sweetheart. Well played.*
He had no idea just how wrong he was.