The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Captain Rafferty's face was a mask of cool detachment as he awaited the conclusion of their heated exchange.

"We're up to speed on the matter," he finally said, his voice even. "Should the investigation yield any results, rest assured, we'll

notify you promptly. We don't let criminals slip through the cracks on my watch."

"My father-in-law hasn't done anything wrong!"

Kaitlyn, unable to contain herself any longer, wrenched free from Vivienne's grasp and stormed out.

Rafferty caught sight of Kaitlyn, his gaze faltering for a moment. "Kaitlyn? What are you doing here?"

Vivienne and Percival exchanged a puzzled look.

Did they know each other?

Kaitlyn's face, flush with anger, paused in surprise upon seeing a familiar face.

Her cool gaze settled on Rafferty as she scoffed, "So it's you. After all these years, you've climbed the ranks to captain. Seems the

Abernathy family holds your elder brother in high esteem."

Rafferty's brows knitted together as he retorted, "My career has nothing to do with my brother."

"Whether it does or doesn't isn't my concern. The moment my family was torn apart, your family becmy sworn enemies!"

After a brief pause, Kaitlyn's gaze softened, her voice suppressing the bitterness, "I didn't chere to stroll down memory lane

with you. My father-in-law is innocent, and Cassidy's suicide had nothing to do with him!"

Rafferty's eyes flickered; he was about to explain that he wasn't in charge of this case.

Cassidy's mother, Zinnia, moved forward, tears streaming down her face. "Nothing to do with him? Does that mean we're framing

him? That old coot - if not for the fact that our Cassidy was relatively unharmed back then, | would've had him behind bars

already!"

Zinnia sobbed inconsolably, "You're his daughter-in-law; of course, you'll defend him! Officer, my girl was bright, and on the verge

of college graduation. If not for that man's actions years ago, causing her depression, why would she have taken her own life?"

Kipling glanced between Kaitlyn and Rafferty, adding, "Exactly! Julian was no good to begin with. Captain Rafferty, don't let your

connection to his family cloud your judgment!"

Halfway through his rant, he remembered the instructions from Asher.

Kipling's voice grew stern, "And why isn't the deputy captain handling this? He's the one dealing with our case. Why are you here? |

demand to see the deputy captain!"

"Choosing your own detective at the precinct?" Vivienne's gaze was icy as she glanced at Kipling, "Do you needto deliver his

head to you directly?"

"And who the hell are you?" Kipling's beady eyes lit up upon seeing Vivienne, his lecherous gaze traveling over her.

Percival's expression darkened, a chilling aura emanating from him. He stepped forward, shielding Vivienne, his long finger jabbing

towards Kipling's eyes, his voice as cold as ice, "Eyes are precious. If you don't want them, I'll gladly relieve you of them."

Even Zinnia, who knew the threat wasn't directed at her, couldn't help but shiver.

Kipling, at the eye of the storm, would have collapsed if not for the support of the reception desk.

Just who was this man?

The Grimshaw family never mentioned Julian being connected to such a terrifying person!

"Percival Ellington?"

It was the first tRafferty had seen someone so boldly threaten another in front of the police.

He glanced at Percival and upon seeing his face, stiffened.

As the younger son of the Schram family, he recognized the man before him. His cold gaze narrowed briefly before returning to

normal, "What's your connection to Kaitlyn?"

Percival looked down at him, not finding a match in his memory, "You know me?"

Rafferty replied, "I had the honor of attending the Ellington family's gala with my relatives once. However, Mr. Ellington, you were

preoccupied with your fiancée at the time, so you didn't notice me."

His gaze shifted to Vivienne, "I assthis must be your fiancée, Ms. Hawthorn."

Vivienne remained silent, her gaze casually assessing Rafferty. Despite his outwardly upright appearance, she was skeptical,

thinking back to Kaitlyn's earlier words.

With a calm voice, she stated, "We've cto take Julian home."

Her statement was simple yet resolute.

Rafferty frowned, "That may be difficult. We follow procedures here!"

Vivienne smiled, "Procedures? Do you have evidence?"

Before Rafferty could respond, Kipling interjected, "Who says we don't have evidence? Zinnia, where's the diagnosis of Cassidy's

depression? Show them, so they can't use their status to abuse us!"

Zinnia's eyes flickered as she rummaged through her bag, eventually producing two crumpled papers, "My daughter has been

suffering from severe depression since high school. It only improved slightly over the years. If not for seeing that wretched Julian,

why would her condition relapse? Please, officer, you must seek justice for my daughter!"

As Vivienne glanced over the scribbled words, she scoffed, "Severe depression inherently carries a risk of self-harm. How can you

be so certain her relapse was triggered by seeing Julian? If I'm not mistaken, Julian hasn't left his house all day."

Her clear eyes seemed to pierce through deception.

Vivienne's gaze swept over Kipling and Zinnia, not missing the evasive look in their eyes. "Don't tellyou're trying to say that

your daughter saw Julian at the Littleton estate?"

Kipling and Zinnia stuttered, unable to form coherent sentences. Today's events had caught them completely off guard. They had

only managed to concoct a plausible excuse, but where would they have found the tto fabricate evidence?

As panic set in, a clear voice echoed from the depths of the police station.

Everyone turned toward the sound to see a graceful young lady walking slowly down the corridor.

Beside her was a police officer, both of them supporting an elderly couple.

"Sadie! Julian!"

The dim lighting of the station's hallway lingered until the group reached the main lobby.

It was only then that Kaitlyn could finally see who the two people being supported were. Catching sight of their condition, tears

welled up, and she rushed toward Julian!

Under the bright lights of the police station, the elderly couple's faces were ashen, their lips tinged with blue.

The light summer clothes they wore did nothing to hide the welts and bruises covering their bodies. Upon closer inspection, it was

evident that they barely had the strength to speak.

Fingers, lips, and even their legs were trembling.

The once bright eyes that Vivienne was used to seeing whenever she visited the Littletons now lacked any trace of vitality.

Hearing his daughter-in-law's voice, Julian mechanically turned his neck, his eyes clouded and unfocused, too weak even to open

his mouth. His cracked, purplish lips parted just slightly, and with that, Julian's knees buckled, and he collapsed to the floor!

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