The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Percival ended the call with a snap.

He tapped the back of the driver’s seat. “Thomas, write up an apology.”

Thomas nearly choked on his own spit, glancing at the rear-view mirror. “Yes, sir.”

One rank up in the hierarchy could crush a man, and boy, did Thomas get that now!

Percival drew Vivienne back into his embrace, his fingertips gently caressing the palm of her hand,

“What are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking I should pay Jasper a visit,” Vivienne answered, her expression unreadable.

Percival was on the same page. “Thomas, drive us to the Perez residence.”

Soon enough, Thomas pulled the car to the curb near the Perez residence.

“Sure you don’t need me to come with you?” Percival asked.

Vivienne shook her head. “No need. I can manage on my own.”

Percival did not insist, watching as Vivienne headed toward the stately Perez mansion and then

signaling Thomas to drive off.

As Vivienne walked, the air carried the faint scent of locust blossoms.

Jasper had good taste, that was for sure. Even though he had bought the mansion on a whim, its

location was prime—tucked away amidst the chaos, surrounded by natural locust trees.

When the wind blew, the whole courtyard was fragrant.

Approaching the Perez Mansion, Vivienne took out her phone.

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On it was a report from Matthew, sent the night before.

A paternity test report between her and Yuri.

The results showed a 58.99% probability of a parental relationship—affirming a blood connection.

That number was enough proof of her kinship with the Perez family. At the very least, Yuri could be her

uncle.

But she could not be entirely sure.

After all, this was a test with Yuri, not with Jasper, and neither was it a test for her mother and Jasper.

She had never heard her mother mention anything about the Perez family.

This test made her feel a mix of emotions.

If only she could get her mother’s DNA, she would definitely confirm it once more.

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Vivienne turned off her phone and stepped inside.

She had no intention of sharing the test result with Jasper.

The Perez family had also conducted a paternity test between her and Jasper. They were waiting for

that result—if it matched, it would fully confirm her relation to the Perez family.

And if it did not…

Well, that would be interesting.

Before she knew it, Vivienne was standing at the front gate of the Perez Mansion.

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She rang the bell, and the grand gate swung open before she could announce herself through the

intercom.

Zelda, holding a child in her arms—hard to tell if it was Natalie or Jasmine—greeted her, “I thought my

eyes were playing tricks on me, but it really is you! Come on in!”

Vivienne was ushered into the courtyard by Zelda’s warm embrace.

She noticed a fresh scar on the child’s face, probably from a recent scratch, and the little puffed cheeks

added to her cuteness.

“What happened here?” Vivienne could not help but ask.

Zelda chuckled. “Just the kids roughhousing. Natalie is still sulking because she didn’t win against her

sister.”

“Hit back next time,” Vivienne said playfully, pinching Natalie’s chubby cheek, “But remember, sisters

should love and care for each other.”

She did not have siblings of her own and sometimes envied those who did.

Natalie seemed to understand Vivienne’s words and nodded earnestly, taking Vivienne’s finger and

kissing it repeatedly.

“Aw, Natalie really likes you,” Zelda exclaimed, surprised.

Vivienne naturally took Natalie into her arms.

With that, Natalie was no longer upset, cuddling against Vivienne and adoring her.

Meanwhile, in the front courtyard.

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Jasper was comforting his other little granddaughter, “Jasmine, your sister didn’t beat you, so why the

tears? You should be comforting her, right?”

Jasmine stopped crying and turned her head upon seeing Vivienne holding Natalie, pouting and

gesturing towards Vivienne, her little legs kicking excitedly.

Jasper looked up, a warm feeling washing over him.

If only she were his granddaughter.

“Hey Jasper, long time no see,” Vivienne said as she sat opposite him, scooping Jasmine into her other

arm.

Jasmine calmed down, snuggling against Vivienne’s cheek just like Natalie, clearly very fond of her.

Thanks to Vivienne, the sisters fighting just moments ago were now holding hands. “Are you going to

make up?”

Natalie and Jasmine seemed to understand and hugged each other, whispering and giggling.

Vivienne felt a warmth in her heart.

If Yuri was her uncle, then these girls were her cousins.

The more she looked at them, the more she liked them.

Knowing Vivienne was here for a serious talk with Jasper, Zelda took the reconciled sisters away,

saying, “Vivienne, you must stay for dinner.”

Vivienne nodded. “Sure, I’d love to.”

After the kids were taken away, Jasper said, “So, Vivienne, what brings you to me today?”

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Vivienne recounted the call with Micah to Jasper. “Vanguard Agency wants to get involved.”

Jasper waved his hand dismissively, smiling. “Don’t worry, Vivienne. They won’t stir up much trouble.

Tell that Ellington kid to relay a message to their leader, that Micah guy. Reporting to his superior will

get him a response soon enough.”

When Jasper made that remark, Vivienne could not help but chuckle.

Her hunch was spot on. The clout behind Jasper was indeed enough to put the squeeze on Percival’s

boss.

After Jasper finished, he fell into a thoughtful silence. “That young Ellington lad has racked up quite the

record. One would think he’d be due for a promotion, at least a notch or two. What’s keeping him from

climbing the ranks?”

“I’m not sure,” Vivienne replied with a shake of her head.

She never pried into Percival’s affairs, though she was pretty familiar with the hierarchy at Vanguard

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Agency. Given Percival’s repeated valor, like when he busted the baby trafficking ring, he certainly

deserved a bump up the ladder, at the very least, to shake off the yoke of being under someone’s

thumb.

But even Vivienne could not be too sure now.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated

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Jasper nodded in understanding. “Bureaucracy can be a slow climb. Tell him not to rush; these things

take time.”

“Will do,” Vivienne said with a smile.

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They sat in silence for a few seconds.

Then Jasper straightened up, looking at Vivienne with a hint of regret. “You know, even if you hadn’t

come to see me today, I was planning on seeking you out.”

A knot of tension formed in Vivienne’s stomach. Jasper’s expression alone meant it had to be about the

paternity test they were waiting on.

Timing-wise, the results should be in.

“What’s up?” Vivienne asked, her grip tightening unconsciously.

This was the first time she had felt so on edge.

Jasper let out a heavy sigh. “About that paternity test, you helped arrange… We got the results.”

Vivienne pursed her lips, listening intently.

“They show that we have no biological ties, Vivienne. I have overstepped, and for that, I apologize.”

Vivienne was stunned, and her brow furrowed like willow leaves caught in a gust.

No biological relationship?

She shared a fifty-eight percent genetic match with Yuri, yet there was not the slightest connection with

Yuri’s biological father.

Ha!

Just as she suspected.

The waters of the Perez family ran deep, too!

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