The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

“You... you really are going to help me?” Mara looked at Vivienne, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Vivienne nodded, “Yes.” “But you... you...” Mara stuttered, at a loss for words.

Even Cecilia hadn't expected Vivienne to consent. “Vivienne, you're really willing to help Mara?” Vivienne affirmed. “Sure, but | have my conditions. I'm the Specter Healer; | don’t work for free.” Mara knew it. Vivienne wasn’t the type to offer help out of the goodness of her heart.

“I understand, but I'm broke right now. Can | write you an I0U and pay you back once | have the money?” Mara pleaded.

Vivienne smiled, her red lips lifting in a beguiling curve. “That's not what I'm asking for.” A shiver ran down Mara’s spine as she locked eyes with Vivienne’s smile. She felt like she had just fallen into a bottomless pit - a trap that could spell her doom! Leaving the hospital, Percival drove Isolde back home.

Isolde took every chance to stick close to Vivienne. “Vivienne, what was the deal you made with Mara back there?” Vivienne scooped Isolde into her arms, meticulously parting her hair to craft a sweet hairstyle for the youngster.

“Little ones shouldn't pry.” Isolde sat still, leaning against Vivienne, her tiny shoulders pressed against her chest.

After a while, Isolde murmured, “Vivienne, you're really busty, you know.” Percival nearly choked on his own spit. [x] Unfazed, Vivienne continued her task while Percival’s face turned a shade that would've given any artist's palette a run for its money.

“Kids shouldn't talk about such things,” Percival cleared his throat.

Isolde scoffed. “Percival, why so prudish? I'm just saying she’s got a great figure. It's just a fact.” Percival slammed on the brakes and parked by the roadside, swiftly moving Isolde to the passenger seat.

“One more word, and you're going to boarding school tomorrow!” Isolde muttered under her breath.

Soon, Isolde was dropped off at home, where her father, Nathan, was waiting outside.

As Isolde got out of the car, she whispered to Percival, “Percival, don’t tellyou never noticed how great Vivienne’s figure is?” “Isolde! Boarding school for you tomorrow!” A huffy Isolde scampered into Nathan's arms, urging her dad to whisk her home.

Nathan watched, bemused by his son’s anger and his daughter's smugness, totally clueless about the situation.

After Isolde departed, Vivienne couldn’t contain her laughter any longer and burst into giggles in the backseat.

Percival’s face grew even redder. “Vivienne, stop laughing.” But she couldn't help it. She had never imagined Percival could be so shy - adorably so.

Listening to the laughter from the back, Percival felt his manhood challenged for the first tin his life. He adjusted his tie and stepped out of the car, opening the back door to put an end to the giggling - with a more hands-on approach.

Inside the car, things got heated, while outside...

An awkward Nathan stood there, holding a thermos of soup Aurelia had made for Vivienne, unsure how to interrupt.

“Ahem... maybe you two could take a break.” Percival froze, then bumped his head hard on the roof. Without pausing to rub it, he scrambled out of the car.

“Dad.” Percival tried to appear calm as he faced Nathan.

Nathan nodded, passing the thermos to Percival with a meaningful look. “The soup’s freshly made. Don’t rush; it can wait a moment.” The double entendre was not lost on anyone.

With that, Nathan turned and entered the house, leaving Percival alone in his embarrassment.

There was no going back to the Ellington Mansion now.

Inside the Perez Mansion, Karen was tending to Jasper’s health.

“Dad, did you stay up late again last night?” Karen felt his pulse, and her brows knit with concern.

Jasper shook his head vigorously. “No, no, of course not. You sawgo to bed!” Karen let out a sigh. “Three forty-five AM. That's about when you actually went to sleep. Caught up in a binge- watch, huh?” Jasper smacked his lips, amazed at the accuracy of her methods.

“Sasha, are you hungry? I've got a bit of an upset stomach and could use something light,” Jasper complained, clutching his belly.

Karen gave him a knowing look, pointing to the pastries. “You just had two pieces.” As Vivienne walked in, she caught Jasper cajoling Karen, with Maddox enjoying the scene.

“Ganging up to bully a defenseless old man?” Vivienne approached, handing a bag to Jasper.

Maddox thought to himself: Defenseless? Who's old man can bend a steel bar with bare hands? And he uses that strength to keepin line! Jasper finally found an ally. “Exactly, they're so mean. Only my granddaughter understands.” “Grandpa, | got you the latest comic from your favorite series,” Vivienne said, standing protectively by Jasper’s side.

The grandfather and granddaughter shared a moment of bliss, impenetrable to all others.

Just then, Yuri returned, bringing not only Natalia and Yasmine but also an invitation for Vivienne.

“What's this?” Vivienne asked, taking the invitation with a flicker of surprise in her eyes.

It was an invite from the Linklater family.

“Ran into Dracon Linklater at the office today. He mentioned Yorick wants you and Sasha to join them for a casual dinner at the Linklater Mansion.” Yuri couldn’t help but find it odd. It wasn’t a holiday or a special occasion, so why the sudden invitation for dinner with Vivienne and her mother? With a sly lift of her brows, Vivienne mused, “Maybe he’s grateful for that t| helped him out? Mom, shall we go?” Without hesitation, Vivienne passed the invitation to Karen.

Karen studied the card with a composed gaze. After a moment, she declared firmly, “Of course we should go.

When there’s a chance for a good meal, how can one refuse?” Vivienne chuckled, “Alright then.” At the Linklater Mansion.

Dracon was bustling about, prepping for the evening's dinner party.

Bustling was perhaps a generous term, as he was not cooking or cleaning - just trying to make himself useful by directing the staff on how to set up the table.

Laughter echoed from the study - a deep, mature voice mingling with the bright chof younger ones. It sounded slightly out of place, yet not altogether discordant.

Dracon pursed his lips, amused by the thought that to the unacquainted, it might seem as if his father had taken up with a much younger lover.

Soon enough, Vivienne and her mother Karen arrived, invitation in hand. Yorick himself had penned it, and after a thorough security check, they were finally ushered into the Linklater estate.

Dracon was waiting at the entrance. “Ms. Perez, Ms. Hawthorn, right this way, please.” Karen eyed Dracon up and down, searching for a hint of familiarity in his features, but found none.

“Mr. Linklater,” Karen greeted him with a nod.