The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The lock clicked open, revealing its contents in the dim glow of the room. It was a stack of neatly enveloped documents and a book.

Vivienne rifled through the papers until her eyes fell upon a particular envelope marked boldly: [Paternity Test Results]!

[Test Subjects: Scott Brooks, Vivienne Hawthorn]

[Result: Positive Paternal Match]

Percival’s heart skipped a beat as he read the results.

“A positive match?” He murmured, turning to Vivienne with a puzzled frown.

“What’s going on? Didn’t Vivienne say she was not Scott’s daughter?” He thought.

He had investigated Vivienne’s background only once initially, and it had come up empty. Thus, everything he knew about her was only everything she wanted him to know. Back then, she told him she was not Scott’s daughter, and he had taken her at her word.

However, the paternity test showed that this was clearly not the case.

Vivienne sifted through the rest of the documents. There were ten in total, each one a paternity test from a different testing center, all with the same result. With a sly smile, she tucked the papers back into the envelope.

Turning to Percival, she explained, “I’m not his daughter. My mother had my genes altered. No matter which agency conducts the test, it’ll always show a match.”

Vivienne did not say more, but Percival understood her. There had to be a reason for Vivienne’s mother to do this.

Without further ado, Vivienne directed Percival’s attention to the book. It was not ancient, but it was worn, the kind that had been used often.

The book was actually a journal. Its pages were filled with handwriting added over time. However, the script within was foreign to Vivienne and Percival, not belonging to any known language or script they had ever encountered.

Glancing at the clock and noting the half-hour they had spent, Vivienne suggested, “Let’s take photos and study this later.”

mysterious text with his smartphone. They then carefully placed the box back and vanished from the

Mansion was buzzing with guests. After emerging from Scott’s room, Vivienne and Percival parted ways. Percival exited the mansion only to re-enter from the front,

spotted

and Darren. All the people Vivienne did not mind being

whispered, “After we finish eating, we plan to

ensure Vivienne would not feel

a smile. “Maybe… I’ll treat you all to

Kala glanced at the spread before her. There were over a dozen appetizers, with more courses to come. Surely, they would be

grinned, keeping

impatience. She had insisted on greeting the guests, especially to catch Percival’s eye

she was about to excuse herself, she caught

of sophistication and aloofness

approached Percival with a dignified smile. “Mr. Ellington,

could finish, Percival strode past her without a glance, his indifference cutting her deeper

place, Calista watched as Richard gave her

but his pride would not allow him to miss it after the Brooks family had caused his granddaughter-in-law such grief. If Vivienne was not happy, neither was he. And when he was unhappy, he was going to stir the pot. He

of stormy blue. One man ignored her, and the other openly insulted her. She was the Brooks family’s

eyes fell upon her, Calista clenched her fists and forced a smile, her thoughts seething with indignation. They may not see her worth now, but she was

party, Richard immediately sought out Vivienne. Spotting her, he made his way over

Instead of joining her, he made his

spotted him, he nearly jumped out of his skin and instinctively shuffled behind his dad

a crooked smile, Percival spoke in a soft, teasing tone, “Leopold, have a few days

crawled, and he chuckled awkwardly. “Ahem! I’m, uh, quite comfortable here, thanks… You enjoy your meal, okay? All

smile

gaze of a hungry wolf, his heart

the last of the guests arrived, Calista’s family reunion

be seen, so Scott took the stage