Jeff ignored the revered old matriarch completely.
He hadn't come for any of them. Only for the dog.
"Where's Flowers?" Jeff asked, turning to Brandon—the only Harper he was still willing to speak to directly.
Brandon answered immediately. "She's inside, with Emily."
Susan stepped forward, voice soft and placating. "Jeff, don't blame Emily for not coming out to greet you. She knelt too long yesterday—spent hours in the ER getting treatment. She's only just starting to recover and still can't walk properly."
Jeff knew Emily was delicate. Two hours on her knees in the rain could easily leave lasting soreness.
But "hours of emergency treatment"? That sounded like exaggeration.
For three years he had taken meticulous care of her—knew her health better than anyone. She wasn't that fragile.
Without another word, Jeff walked straight inside.
The moment he stepped onto the familiar marble floor, he saw Emily at the dining table, cradling Flowers in her lap.
The table was groaning under an extravagant spread—far more lavish than anything the Harpers had ever prepared during his three years there.
Jeff's gaze went straight to Flowers. Her front paw was wrapped in clean white bandages. Real injury or not, the sight twisted something in his chest. He moved quickly toward her.
As he got closer, he noticed the raw, red scrapes and bruises on Emily's knees—visible because she wore a short skirt. Sophia had clearly advised against pants: How else will you win his sympathy?
Jeff remembered exactly how she'd looked yesterday, drenched and defiant. Seeing the damage now stirred a reluctant pang of pity.
"Jeff… you're here," Emily said weakly, lips pale, voice barely above a whisper.
Even frail and washed out, she was still heartbreakingly beautiful.
Jeff didn't respond. Didn't greet her. He simply reached out and lifted Flowers from her arms.
The poodle lit up instantly, tail wagging furiously despite the limp, pressing her face into his chest.
Jeff's heart clenched. The injury was real. He couldn't let the Harpers keep using her like this just to summon him.
He turned directly to Old Madam Harper. "Old Madam Harper, I'd like to buy Flowers from you. One million dollars."
The old woman entered slowly, leaning on her cane, smiling gently. "Jeff, my boy, sit down and eat first. We're family. Flowers is mine—and naturally yours too. No need to talk about buying or selling. Too formal."
Jeff's lip curled. "Emily and I are divorced. You and I are definitely not family." They looked down.
"I'm not eating. I'll leave as soon as we settle on the dog." Jeff beckoned to Flowers.
His tone left no room for argument. The entire family stiffened, faces flushing with awkward embarrassment.
Old Madam Harper sighed. "Fine. If you won't eat, at least explain yourself. Why would someone as wealthy as you marry into our family? Why was it only my late husband who knew the truth?"
"Jeff… if you don't tell me now, I'll die with my eyes open!"
Jeff knew the family had been kept completely in the dark for three years.
Today, they deserved the truth.
"Alright," he said flatly. "Since you want to know, I'll tell you."
"In the Sterling family, there's an old, strict tradition: every male heir must pass a series of character trials before inheriting the business."
"Three years ago, my grandfather arranged for me to live as a live-in son-in-law with your family—to temper my humility and resilience."
"Your family may only be mid-tier in Riverforge, but you're still respectable. My grandfather knew it wouldn't be easy for me to marry in on my own merits."
"So, he approached Emily's grandfather—Old Master Harper—and proposed the arrangement."
"Old Master Harper was thrilled to ally with the Sterlings. But my grandfather insisted: absolute secrecy. Only he could know. If the rest of you found out, the marriage—and the test—would be void."
Realization dawned across the room.
Robert Harper's eyes misted. "No wonder Dad was so conflicted before he passed… always starting to say something, then stopping. For two years I wondered what he was holding back."
Old Master Harper had never dared speak—because if Robert or Susan knew Jeff's true background, their treatment of him would have changed overnight. The test would fail.
Old Madam Harper turned sharply on Emily. "Emily! A man like Jeff, you couldn't find one even if you searched with a lantern, and you threw him away!"
Jessica chimed in eagerly. "Exactly! It's all my sister's fault. If it had been me marrying Jeff, I'd never have treated him that way!" Jessica continued.
"Jeff… would you consider extending the marriage contract for another year? This time with me? I'll treat you right."
Jeff stared at her, speechless, then deadpanned: "Thanks, but no thanks."
The idea was absurd. Three years as a discarded son-in-law, and now they wanted him to remarry into the family—with a new bride?
His spirit had been ground down long ago.
"Jessica, enough," Old Madam Harper snapped.
She turned back to Jeff, voice softer. "Jeff, my boy… in these three years, our whole family wronged you terribly. Today, we all raise a glass to apologize."
"Michael, Robert—pour the wine!"
"Yes, Mom."
The entire family lifted their glasses in unison, toasting Jeff with bowed heads.
Jeff stood holding Flowers, watching coldly. He didn't drink.
When they finished, he spoke. "Can we settle on the dog now? Your apologies don't matter to me. Don't worry—I'm not planning revenge. Horizon Group will honor our cooperation on the Yipin Emily project to completion. But that's the last one. No future deals."
Old Madam Harper's expression was conflicted. She glanced at Emily, then back at Jeff. "My boy… I know how much you love this dog. You've been with us three years—you know how attached I am to her too."
"How about a compromise? Flowers stays with you five days a week, and two days with me. Fair?"
Jeff understood. The old woman was lonely; Flowers was her only real companion.
He nodded once. "Fine. Name your price."
"No money, no money!" Susan hurried forward, beaming. "We're family—why talk about money? Besides, that jade bracelet you gave Mom last time was worth ten million!"
She gestured proudly to the bracelet on Old Madam Harper's wrist—the expensive gift from her "son-in-law."
Old Madam Harper looked down at the jade, slowly slipped it off, and held it out to Jeff. "Jeff… thank you for this generous gift. As your grandmother-in-law, I failed you completely. I'm not worthy to keep it. Please—take it back."
Jeff met her eyes for a long moment, then reached out and accepted the bracelet without a word.
The room fell silent.