Chapter 89: An Important Guest

"Child, why are you crying?" the director asked gently, her brows knitting together with concern as she reached out to cup Isobel’s damp cheek. Deep lines of worry creased her forehead, fearing something terrible had happened.

Isobel quickly wiped away the tears streaming down her face and forced a small smile.

"It’s nothing, Mama Rena," she said softly, though her voice trembled with emotion. "I’m just... happy. The orphanage is finally safe. We don’t have to worry about losing our home anymore."

Mama Rena’s expression softened into one of relief and gratitude. She clasped Isobel’s hands warmly.

"And it is all thanks to you... and to that generous benefactor," she said with a heartfelt smile. "Their donation was more than enough for us to buy the deed to this land. At last, no one can force us out of the only home these children have ever known."

The words struck Isobel like a knife.

A faint pang of guilt tightened around her heart.

No one in the orphanage knew the truth.

No one knew that the mysterious benefactor they were so grateful for... was her.

No one knew she had sacrificed the most precious thing she possessed—her innocence—to obtain the money that saved this place.

If they ever learned the truth, would they still look at her with the same warmth?

She lowered her gaze, hiding the pain behind a quiet smile.

"By the way," Mama Rena continued, brightening as she remembered something, "don’t leave just yet. Stay until this afternoon."

"There will be a charitable family visiting us today. They’re hosting a celebration for their son’s six-month birthday here at the orphanage. They said they wanted to share their blessings with the children and earn good karma for the little one."

"I see," Isobel replied with a nod.

She didn’t think much of it.

After all, it wasn’t unusual for wealthy families to donate to orphanages during important milestones. There were still kindhearted people in the world who believed that sharing their fortune with those less fortunate would bring blessings to their loved ones.

To Isobel, it was simply another ordinary act of generosity.

"Today is actually a very special day," Mama Rena said with a warm smile. "Another generous guest has come to host lunch for the children."

She paused before adding meaningfully, "Actually... he’s visited several times over the past few years."

"He always asks about you."

Isobel blinked in surprise.

"He wanted to know if you had returned."

Mama Rena let out a wistful sigh.

"I had no choice but to tell him the truth—that aside from the money you faithfully send every month, we haven’t seen so much as your shadow for almost two years."

A pang of guilt tightened around Isobel’s chest.

It wasn’t that she had forgotten this place.

She had wanted to come back countless times. But then, she had gotten pregnant. After that, taking care of Morgan’s twins had consumed every moment of her life.

Then, she became busy starting her career—determined to lead a good life.

The months had slipped by before she even realized it has been two years.

The only thing she could do was send money every month, hoping it would somehow make up for her absence.

Just as she opened her mouth to apologize, the office door swung open.

The sound made her instinctively turn.

The moment her eyes landed on the man standing at the doorway, she froze.

Her breath caught.

It had been six years.

The lanky young teenager she remembered was gone.

Standing before her was a tall, strikingly handsome man dressed in a tailored black suit. Time had sculpted his once-boyish features into sharp, masculine lines. His complexion had become noticeably fairer, and there was an air of quiet confidence and dignity about him that made him seem almost untouchable.

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.

The man’s eyes widened in unmistakable surprise.

Then, as recognition dawned, his expression softened into a smile so genuine that it lit up his entire face. Shallow dimples appeared on his cheeks, just as they had years ago.

Despite everything that had changed...

That smile remained the same.

"Richard...?" Isobel whispered, scarcely believing her eyes. "Is... is that really you?"

Without thinking, Isobel rushed toward him.

Richard met her halfway.

The moment they stood face-to-face, Isobel threw her arms around him in a tight embrace.

"Bro!" she exclaimed, unable to hide her joy. "How have you been?"

Richard chuckled softly, the sound deeper and richer than she remembered.

"I’ve been doing well, Belle."

It had been years since she’d heard him call her by that nickname.

Reluctantly, he loosened his embrace and held her gently by the shoulders. His warm eyes wandered over her face, lingering as if trying to make up for the five years they had lost.

A smile slowly spread across his lips.

"You’ve grown so much," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "You’ve become taller... and even more beautiful."

He shook his head in quiet disbelief.

"You’re not that skinny little girl who used to trail after me everywhere anymore."

Isobel laughed, her eyes curving into crescents.

"And look at you," she teased. "You could pass for a male model now."

Richard let out a hearty laugh, the familiar dimples on his cheeks making him look, for a fleeting moment, like the older boy she remembered.

"I just got back from abroad," he said. "This time, I’m home for good. I accepted an offer from a great company here, so I’ll be settling down."

A look of genuine admiration filled Isobel’s eyes.

Richard had grown up in the same orphanage.

Like her, he had no family to rely on. But unlike most children, he possessed an extraordinary mind. His brilliance had earned him a full scholarship to one of the most prestigious universities overseas—a chance that changed the course of his life.

Eight years older than Isobel, Richard had always been the dependable older brother she never had.

Whenever the other children bullied her or she found herself in trouble, he was always the first to stand in front of her, shielding her without hesitation.

Even after all these years...

That quiet, protective presence hadn’t changed.