The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne screenshotted the group chat and sent it to Griffin.

Husky Smasher: [I knew Charlotte’s idea was right, oh Vivienne, I love you.]

Husky Smasher was Griffin’s nickname.

Vivienne pinched the bridge of her nose, somewhat speechless.

This Griffin, coming up with such an idea. Vivienne could not tell if Griffin was torturing herself or Leopold.

During the day, Griffin had pulled her aside into a room and, with utmost seriousness, stated that marrying Leopold was a given after a kiss, but she did not want to pursue it in this manner and asked for her help.

Then she went on with a whole spiel.

About how, yes, she would marry, but it depended on whether Leopold even liked her.

If not, she would not insist. She would only marry Leopold if there were mutual affection.

So, she had to test the waters!

Hearing Griffin’s lengthy explanation, Vivienne just asked whether she wanted to marry Leopold simply because of a kiss or if she genuinely liked him.

Full of righteous fervor, Griffin said, “Of course, it’s because I like him! Why else would I let him kiss me? I am the proud heiress of the ancient warrior lineage, the Martinez family. I have my pride, and not just anyone can wed me!”

Vivienne was speechless.

…

At the Perez Mansion in Rivenwood.

Jasper looked at a photograph of his daughter from her childhood, his eyes glistening with tears.

he still

knocked and entered, “Dad, why haven’t you gone to bed

and stood up, walking to the yard with Yuri. “Something on your

Martinez family,” Yuri said, helping Jasper into the rocking chair in

a heavy chuckle. “Those two working together, now that’s something. Alright, let them handle

pause, Jasper’s expression darkened. “What about CK? Any

pointed to Fiona from the second branch of the Ellington family, but after her

trail’s gone cold, find a new one. If we can’t find that person,

years, the Perez family had been searching for their lost daughter, Sasha

and Natalia’s kidnapping, they finally stumbled

was no common trafficker

underground syndicate, its

experiments, and organ sales were beyond the

dismantle RST’s headquarters, yet their leader, code named F-Poison,

seriously injured and hospitalized. When

that F-Poison had

years, there

the Perez family might never have found a lead on CK

CK is more cunning than RST ever was and is an expert at legalizing

Vivienne wants to work on that

trivial matter. One false

and

legality was not an issue; after all, all of Griffin’s patents

the right place

grasped his father’s meaning. “Don’t worry, Dad. Zelda has everything arranged. Her nephew will arrive in Rivenwood tomorrow

in satisfaction.

a moment, something else came to mind, “Remember, Vivienne mentioned that Scott from the Brooks family

“Yes, she has no blood ties to the Brooks family. Her mother seems to have had some reason to be with

had previously investigated Vivienne’s mother, Karen, and found little information.

Karen’s identity remained unclear, the details of her involvement with Scott