The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Next to Jasper, Diana bit her lower lip in frustration.

Was Maddox being too obvious? It was as if he were broadcasting to the world that he disliked her! It was outrageous, completely outrageous! Diana took several deep breaths to compose herself and turned to Vivienne with a smile. “Vivienne, | rushed over here and didn’t have tto pick up a gift for you. How about we hit the shops later, and anything you fancy, it's on me.” “No, that's alright, | don’t need anything,” Vivienne replied, eager to keep her distance.

For sreason, Vivienne always felt uneasy around Diana. It was not just because Diana was adopted into the Perez family; there was something off-putting about her.

Maybe it was what people called ‘bad vibes.” Diana moved closer, eagerly grabbing Vivienne’s hand again. “Vivienne, don’t be like that with me. Even if you've got everything, one more thing won't hurt. Us girls can never have too many treats, right, Zelda?” Zelda looked up from her book and said, “Absolutely, I'll tag along. | always believe in the more the merrier when it comes to my closet.” Yuri coughed, glancing at the pile of unopened shopping bags near Zelda.

Yeah, the more the merrier.

Diana forced a laugh, but with Zelda jumping in, she could not very well refuse. “Alright, let's go together.” While she appeared enthusiastic, Diana was fuming inside.

What was Zelda up to? a Was she worried about Vivienne going out alone with her? Ha! The nerve, thinking she was a true Perez through and through! Seeing Zelda on board, Vivienne had no more excuses to decline.

Percival, jingling his car keys, chimed in, “I'd be honored to chauffeur three lovely ladies today.” “Thanks a bunch,” Diana responded with a smile.

After Vivienne finished checking Jasper’s health, the group set off for a shopping spree.

Standing in the yard, Maddox turned off the grill, “Yuri, keep an eye on your wife. She’s got a knack for turning our hinto a disaster zone.” “We'll just buy a new one if that happens,” Yuri muttered, shutting off the whipped cream maker.

Jasper addressed his sons, “You two, give Diana a break. She was quite embarrassed earlier. As her brothers, try not to be so hard on her.” Maddox scratched his ear. “Dad, speaking of Diana, there's something you need to know.” “Go on.” “She’s been snooping around your will, and there was stampering with Willa’s paternity test. Diana was the only one who had contact with Willa then, and | suspect she’s behind it. We just lack the proof.” Jasper leaned forward, a look of shock crossing his face. But what stunned him was not Diana’s meddling with the will or the test; it was that the paternity test results could be fake! Jasper, clearly agitated, began to cough, and Yuri quickly stepped forward to comfort him. “Dad, don’t get worked up. Maddox said we don’t have proof against Diana yet. We're still investigating.” Jasper took Yuri’s hand, steadying himself. “Do you boys mean to say that Vivienne might actually be my biological granddaughter?” Maddox knelt, looking up at his father earnestly. “Yes. Ever since | first laid eyes on Vivienne, | felt she had to be my niece. Dad, you're not the only one who has that hunch, which is why | doubt the paternity test.” Yuri nodded. “Right, Dad. Should we redo the test?” After a moment, Jasper decided. “Do it again, but keep it under wraps. No one at hshould know, not even Zelda. Handle it discreetly in Rivenwood.” Since there was a mole at home, they would keep it a secret from everyone in their family.

Yuri agreed. “Alright, I'm on it.” While Yuri went to deal with the test, Maddox stayed with Jasper, unable to shake his concern.

They had grown up with Diana, and though they were not particularly fond of their sister, they knew her all too well, especially her capabilities.

Maddox felt certain someone was backing Diana.

Soon, Yuri returned from the lab with the rushed paternity test results.

But when they cin, the news was disappointing.

“Dad, it’s the sresult,” Yuri handed the report to Jasper, a trace of regret in his eyes.

Maddox was shocked. “Impossible, Diana clearly tampered with it...” “Maddox, | personally supervised the entire process in the lab, from sample collection to result delivery. No one interfered,” Yuri insisted.

Jasper visibly deflated but then took a deep breath.

“Let it go. If she’s not, then we shouldn't force it.” Jasper wheeled himself away. “You two go have fun. | need srest.” Both Yuri and Maddox knew Jasper’s heart was once again shattered.

“Are you sure you got to the bottom of this, Maddox? Did Diana really tamper with the test?” Yuri could not help but question Maddox.

Maddox smacked Yuri’s head. “When have | ever been wrong? There's definitely something not right here.” Yuri stopped arguing and followed his brother. While it was disappointing not to have Vivienne as their niece, Yuri had already cto regard her as family.

The paternity test did not change how the Perez family would treat Vivienne with genuine care and affection.

Maddox burned the paternity test report that negated their blood relation, his gaze intense.

He refused to believe it.

Vivienne had to be his real niece.

Sasha had always been the apple of her brother Maddox's eye, so when Vivienne showed up out of the blue, he was convinced she simply had to be his missing sister's child.

But something was not adding up. Why did every paternity test cback negative? At the mall, Vivienne browsed with ease, picking up anything that caught her fancy. Diana was there to make an impression, so naturally, she stepped up to pay without hesitation.

By the end of the shopping spree, Percival was nearly drowning in a sea of bags and boxes.

Diana, though far from penniless, felt the pinch. Sure, she had cash to burn, but that did not mean she was thrilled about footing the bill for Vivienne’s shopping desires.

And Vivienne? She did not bat an eyelid when Diana reached for her wallet. Not a single protest.

Then there was Zelda. Quiet as a church mouse, she did not utter a word of protest or offer to pick up the tab despite being the senior among them. She just kept piling more items onto Vivienne as if the girl suited everything in the store.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

“Lunchtime, ladies. How about we grab a bite?” Diana suggested, taking the lead toward one of the mall's eateries.

Vivienne, feeling a pang of hunger, did not object.

The group settled into the restaurant. Zelda excused herself to the restroom, and Percival stepped outside to take a call.

At last, Diana had Vivienne to herself, just as she had hoped.

“Vivienne, see if there’s anything else you'd like to eat. Order smore,” Diana said with a warm smile, dabbing at her plate with a napkin.

“This is plenty,” Vivienne replied, her smile touched with a hint of reserve.

Diana sipped her coffee thoughtfully before speaking up. “Vivienne, you don’t have to be so formal with me. | understand how you're feeling. After all, I, too, was adopted into the Perez family. It's not the sas being born into it, but that’s okay. Dad's still been wonderful to me, treatingno different than if | were his flesh and blood. He never talked about his concern for Sasha before me, and I'm genuinely grateful for that.

Dad always says that I'm the only daughter of the Perez family and that | deserve the best of everything.

Vivienne, you're part of this family now too. Just relax and don’t worry about a thing.”