C9 The Treasure Girl.

Across the street.

"Sixth Bro, Second Bro texted that he'll be here soon, so let's just hang tight a bit longer," Loran said, glancing at his phone before noticing Reece fixated on something.

He peered in the same direction and caught sight of the Ellis family matriarch giving Lydia an earful.

Loran huffed and settled back into his seat. "She's really brought this on herself, huh? Hehe... Sixth Bro, feeling any better now?"

"…" Reece remained stoic, his emotions unreadable.

He was usually this detached, rarely bothering to respond to unnecessary questions.

So, Loran wasn't the least bit surprised.

He rested his head against the seat, treating the sight of Lydia being chastised as a way to pass the time.

In the Ellis family's backyard.

"Don't you lay a finger on my daughter!"

As servants began to close in on Lydia, Benny called out in alarm.

He and his wife, Eliza, rushed to Lydia's side, forming a barrier between her and the others.

Lydia's heart swelled with warmth as she saw her parents standing up for her, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.

Indeed, her parents' love and protection were unwavering.

Eliza, with concern etched on her face, took Lydia's icy hand. "Little Violet, are you okay?" she asked, her voice rough with emotion.

"Mom, having you both is the best," Lydia replied, her eyes red and tears falling despite her efforts, but her smile was radiant and full of light.

"Lydia, you haven't been home in so long, and your mom's missed you terribly. Why don't you go to your room and catch up with her?" Benny suggested gently, wiping away her tears. "I'll handle things with Grandma."

Eliza, fighting back her own tears, took Lydia's hand to lead her back to the room.

Lydia hesitated, knowing all too well that some would not let her enter without a fight.

Forcing her way in would only bring trouble to her parents.

"You two think you can defy me now that you've spread your wings!" Janie snapped, shooting a cold look at the couple. She gripped her yellow rosewood cane and slammed it down with authority. "I'm not dead yet! The Ellis family is still under my rule! Have my words fallen on deaf ears?"

Just as she had anticipated, she was met with silence.

Lydia let out a silent scoff, not the least bit surprised.

Her father was a good man, overly devoted to her grandmother.

Convincing her father to leave the frigid embrace of the Ellis family would be a monumental task. For her parents' sake, she couldn't afford to sever ties with them.

"Dad, please don't upset Grandma on my account. I'll come back to see you both when I get the chance," Lydia said with understanding, gently patting her parents' hands. She then offered the gift box to her grandmother. "Grandma, this is for you. I wish you robust health and endless joy."

Lydia giving a gift?

It was as unlikely as the sun rising in the west.

Janie eyed the modest gift box with disdain and made no move to accept it. "The best gift you could give me is to get out of the Ellis family for good."

"Grandma, it's the thought that counts. Why not accept my sister's gift?" Viola, who had been lurking in the background, stepped forward.

She clung to the old lady's arm, cooing sweetly, then looked at Lydia with seemingly sympathetic eyes. "After all, she is Reece's wife, the lady of the Tillman family. Shouldn't we respect that connection? Let's allow her to stay for a meal before she goes."

The mere mention of the Tillman family was enough to set the old lady off.

To the world, Lydia's marriage to the Tillmans was seen as a great honor for the Ellis family. But the Ellis family knew better; Reece's disdain for Lydia extended to them as well.

Despite his financial investment, he never showed any warmth to the Ellis family.

Just recently, when her friend sought Reece's assistance, he completely ignored the request, leaving her utterly humiliated.

Janie gave Lydia a scornful look and snorted, "Mrs. Tillman? If she hadn't acted so disgracefully, would she even be in a position to claim that title? I'm not just talking about barring her from the house. Even if I were to beat her black and blue, Reece wouldn't bat an eye."

Lydia let Janie's barbs slide off her like water off a duck's back, completely unfazed by the sarcasm.

Benny, however, reached his limit. "Mom, shouldn't we give her a chance to make things right, even if she's made a mistake? Are we just going to write her off completely?"

Janie shot Benny a withering look as he tried to defend his position. "Do I really need your guidance on how to handle this?" she snapped. "Instead of wasting your time, focus on your own responsibilities. The Ellis family doesn't harbor freeloaders. How is the Blue Bay project in the west coming along?"

Benny hung his head, a guilty flush creeping up his neck.

Viola, seizing the moment, grinned triumphantly and chimed in, "Grandma, rumor has it that the land has already been claimed by someone else."

"What?" Janie's surprise was palpable, her gaze whipping to Benny as her heart skipped a beat in alarm.

With feigned concern, Viola patted her grandmother's chest soothingly. "You can't blame Uncle for this. That land has had many eyes on it. But don't worry, I've secured a strong connection that might just help us reclaim it."

Janie exhaled a relieved sigh. "Thank goodness for my granddaughter, Viola," she said, casting a disdainful look at Lydia. "Unlike some who not only fail to contribute to the family's prosperity but even tarnish our name!"

"Grandma, my sister truly does care deeply for our family," Viola interjected, playing the good Samaritan while internally gloating with glee.

Lydia observed Viola's antics with a cold detachment, marveling at her audacity to step on their own flesh and blood to ingratiate herself with Janie.

Taking a stand, Lydia reached out to steady the disheartened Benny, positioning herself firmly by his side.

With a slight purse of her lips, she picked up on Viola's narrative. "Viola's right, I do cherish our family deeply and have always wanted to show my devotion to Grandma. I knew you've been concerned about the Blue Bay land deal, so I went ahead and secured it for you."

The room fell into a stunned silence at Lydia's declaration.

Had Lydia actually secured the land?

Skepticism quickly clouded the onlookers' faces, which soon twisted into derisive smirks.

They seemed to mock Lydia's naive dreams, as if a mere girl could ever manage to secure such a significant project in Blue Bay.

"Sis, that kind of joke is off-limits, and it's not the least bit funny," Viola said, pressing her lips together. "Otherwise, Grandma will really be upset."

"Ah... it's hopeless," Janie sighed, her gaze upon Lydia filled with an even deeper mix of revulsion and scorn.

Seemingly too disappointed to engage any further, Janie turned to head back to the hall.

"I'm not joking; I'm dead serious," Lydia declared, ripping open the plain gift box with conviction and presenting the land transfer contract for Blue Bay to Janie. "Grandma, the Blue Bay land now belongs to the Ellis family."

Janie didn't believe it, so she didn't even turn around to look.

Benny, standing nearby, leaned in for a closer look. His excitement was palpable when he saw Lydia's name on the document. "Lydia, you... you actually secured the Blue Bay land!"

"Yes," Lydia nodded.

Benny's eyes welled up as he quickly passed the contract to Janie. "Mom, take a look! Your granddaughter Lydia has secured the Blue Bay project for you!"

Benny's voice was thick with triumph and pride. Lydia's lips curved into a smile at the sight of her father's joy, feeling that the contract she exchanged her freedom for was indeed worthwhile.

Janie, struggling to see clearly due to her presbyopia, passed the contract to Viola. "Viola, dear, can you check if this transfer document is authentic?"

"Yes, Grandma," Viola replied, taking the contract and scrutinizing every word, desperate to find any hint of falsehood.

But she found nothing.

"Viola, have you determined its authenticity after all this time?" Lydia asked, sensing Viola's intent and approaching with a slight smirk.

Contract in hand, Viola was nearly driven mad with envy. She had worked so hard, seeking favors far and wide, and yet...

Humph, how did this nobody get the Blue Bay land?

Despite her reluctance, she had to maintain her facade in front of everyone. "...Yes, it's genuine."

Her admission sent a wave of astonishment through the onlookers, all turning their amazed gazes upon Lydia.

"People were saying that CEO An and the second young miss of the Ellis family had been grinding away at this project for months without success. And now, Lydia has actually clinched the Blue Bay land. Tsk... truly unexpected," a servant remarked, looking at the slender Lydia, his eyes now showing more respect than indifference.

"Yeah, who would've guessed that Lydia, always at odds with her family, would stand with the Ellis family when it really mattered?" Servant A nodded in agreement.

Another servant gave them a disdainful look and quickly corrected, "What Lydia? You mean the Ellis family's Eldest Miss."

"Right, the Eldest Miss," they echoed in unison, nodding.

Lydia overheard the servants' change of heart with a detached expression.

She couldn't help but reflect on the fickle nature of the world. Just seconds ago, she was the subject of their ridicule, and now she was revered as the Ellis family's Eldest Miss.

She wasn't sure whether to feel joy or sorrow.

Janie, who was known for her stubbornness but also her sensibility, had overheard the servants as well. Lydia's recent actions had clearly won her approval.

Taking the contract, Janie's eyes softened as she looked at Lydia. "This gift is thoughtful. I accept it."

"As long as you're happy, Grandma, it's all worthwhile," Lydia replied, a smile playing on her lips.

Janie's usually stern face relaxed as she leaned on her cane and headed for the living room. "The guests are waiting. Let's head in... You, go catch up with your mother in your room."

"Thank you, Grandma," Lydia responded, watching Janie leave. She didn't miss the envy and hostility flashing in Viola's eyes.

Once Viola had escorted Janie away, Lydia's smile faded. Viola, from now on, I will take back everything, step by step.

The striking woman's victory did not go unnoticed by the man outside in the car.

He watched her with a contemplative squint. Was she still the same Lydia?

Why did it seem like everything about her had changed, except her face? She was becoming more and more like a hidden gem, making him curious about what other surprises she might hold.

"Sixth Brother, something's not adding up... Wasn't the Blue Bay property in your possession? How did it end up with Lydia?" Loran asked, scratching his head in bewilderment.

"I gave it to her," the man replied nonchalantly.

Loran's jaw nearly hit the floor. "Sixth Brother, have you lost your mind? Giving such a prime asset to Lydia!" He remembered how he had badgered his brother for a week straight, to no avail, and now this.

"What's the issue? Got a problem?" The man shot Loran a sidelong glance, and Loran instantly cowered. "No problem at all. You're the boss; your word is gospel."

"Loran, I want you to go over the incident between Lydia and me once more. And make sure you don't leave a single trace!" The man commanded, then as if an afterthought struck him, he added, "Oh, and compile a detailed report on everything about this woman for me."