Chapter 180: Chapter 192: She is My Unexpected Surprise (5) Chapter 180: Chapter 192: She is My Unexpected Surprise (5) Within the spacious grounds of the Smith family, there was a large expanse of lawn where someone was currently operating a lawnmower, clearing out overgrown weeds. The da-da sound of the lawnmower had a familiar and nostalgic ring to it.

Isabel Smith had always longed for these grounds where her childhood bloomed with happiness, held her sweetest memories, and cradled her first love.

Isabel clearly remembered the first time she set eyes on Marion Hancock; she immediately experienced what she learned in school as ‘love at first sight.’

Chasing after the onset of spring as a young girl, she spent numerous times sitting on that swing, whimsically imagining her future; bittersweet, yet overwhelmed with elation.

For the Isabel of that time, Marion, her love at first sight, was the only thing in life she yearned for, but could never have.

On the lawn, there was a set of white stone table and stools. Isabel looked at them, remembering how she sat there jotting down the details of her five encounters with Marion.

Without a name, address, or contact information, she had still managed to meet him five times amidst throngs of people. Isabel had always believed that he was the soulmate heaven had arranged for her.

If not for the havoc that wreaked her life, Isabel would have indeed continued to think the same.

Six years had passed, and every day and night she wished to return to the Smith family. But now that she was finally here, she found that while the scenery and the people remained the same, her parents were no longer there, nor was the love that had once been her youthful beauty.

At this thought, an uncomfortable feeling stirred in the depth of Isabel’s heart. But because the housekeeper kept kindly standing by her side, constantly asking her about how she had been for the past six years, she kept a smile on her face to hide her sorrow.

Percy Stanton locked the car then walked to Isabel’s side before the housekeeper, pointing towards the villa’s entrance, said, “Miss Isabel, Mr. Stanton, this way, please.”

Isabel nodded as she and Percy walked along a winding path laid with red stones towards the villa’s doorway.

As she passed the old locust tree directly in front of the villa’s entrance, the voice of her mother scolding her seemed to echo in her ears, “Isabel, you’re causing trouble again. Go stand by that tree!”

Knowing she couldn’t oppose her mother, she would quietly go and stand there while anxiously waiting for her father to come home from work.

Every time her father would return, he would walk up to her, embrace her in his arms, and coax her, “Darling, have you upset your mom again? Daddy is here to rescue you.”

At that time, she would innocently respond, “Daddy, I love you the most. I don’t like mommy!”

Her father, holding her while laughing amiably, would walk back into the villa with her. By then, her mother would have calmed down considerably. Ignoring Isabel’s antics while nestled in her father’s arms, she would deliberately maintain a stern face, but the corners of her lips and the depths of her eyes would betray her amusement.

Unable to resist, Isabel spent a few more moments looking at the old locust tree. Meanwhile, Percy, standing beside her, quietly took in her expressions.

The housekeeper pushed open the door to the villa and said, “Miss Isabel,” calling out to her. An auntie, who had been taking care of Isabel since her childhood, walked over. Her somewhat plump body bent over to place slippers in front of both Isabel and Percy.

“The Smith Corporation had an emergency meeting today, so the old lady, along with the second young master, his wife, and the second daughter, have gone to attend. They’ll be back soon,” the housekeeper explained to Isabel as he led her towards the living room.

“Okay.” Isabel responded and looked around the living room. It was entirely renovated — not a single trace of her past could be found. It felt somewhat alien to her.

“Miss Isabel, please take a seat,” the housekeeper’s wife offered, pointing at the sofa. Turning to Percy, she added, “Mr. Stanton, please sit.”

Percy, maintaining an unreadable expression, nodded and sat down first.