He genuinely likes her, and she has no ill will toward him. She didn't need to curry favor with him to get something from his father because his father already revered the ground she walked on.
What she desired from her was genuine friendship, and for such a person, he didn't mind calling her mom, even though she was eleven years him senior. His father had really taken a young woman, and he praised him for it.
“I'm glad to be back by your side as well. We can all live together now, and I'll send you to school...”
The two men stood there as Vanity became engrossed in her plans; they didn't want to disturb her because she appeared to be in a good mood at the time. The elders happened to come across this scene, which only added to the brightness of the house.
When the elders learned of Heidi's decision, they were relieved because it would allow the young man to live with his father and foster a relationship that had previously been lacking between them.