The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne froze for a moment.

Was Maddox implying that she should carry on with this contract?

“Exactly as you’re thinking,” Maddox slid the contract toward Vivienne. “The Perez family has its own fish to fry these days, not focusing on bionic tech. And I know the reason the Ashfords have stood the test of time has a lot to do with this project.”

He paused, his gaze growing intense before he continued, “The person who got the Ashfords involved in the first place was your mother, Karen, right?”

Vivienne nodded but remained tight-lipped.

She was not ready to stir the pot with the Perez family’s waters still uncharted.

“Vivienne, only the Perez and the Boyd families are in on the bionic tech secret. Your mother managed to bring this concept to life, and it’s nearly identical to what the Perez family envisioned. I think she must have seen their initial concept draft. I’m not saying she copied or stole it. I’m just saying…”

“Uncle, I get what you’re trying to say.”

Vivienne smiled at Maddox.

She knew he was beginning to question her identity.

If her mother had indeed introduced those concepts, matching the Perez family’s ideas, it only meant she had some connection with them.

If that was the case, could Karen perhaps be Sasha?

Maddox hesitated to voice his suspicion, fearing another disappointment.

Vivienne tucked the contract away. “Thanks, Uncle. I’ll take it from here and push the research forward.”

Maddox nodded. “Yeah, I believe in you.”

He also believed that she must be his niece, his sister’s daughter.

But with a paternity test looming, this was a matter that still needed resolution!

…

At the Ashford Mansion.

of Eliza came as an abrupt

intended to consolidate his power by winning over the Boyd Group’s shareholders with her

from Vivienne, and the

murder footage spreading like wildfire online, no one could bail

turned pale with

his trump card had

for ages; you’re making my head spin. What’s going on with Eliza? Did she really kill Wendy?” Gillian had woken up

preoccupied with dreams

down and asked, “Gillian, has Mara

why would she bother? Besides, I don’t want to deal with her anymore. Percival has already cut ties with them, so she’s useless to me now.” Gillian snorted with disdain for her once

with someone

one of mutual

find a way to get close to Vivienne and retrieve the Boyd family signet ring. And try to find the contract Wendy left behind. Tell her you can help her turn things

“Dad, you still want to entangle with them? A family

our family. We won’t be at Vivienne’s mercy anymore if you manage to get them. Hurry before

wanted to probe further, but seeing Patrick’s ashen face, she

seen her father so

For the Boyd family

heard

she reviewed

relying on GTO.”

fixated on the

monitoring satellite imagery on his computer, where three red dots were converging

to

“Traitors

later, Mara’s call came

“Bro, it’s Mara.”

sobs, still not fully comprehending how the Boyd family had

turned on the

I… Can I come to you? I want

the Ashford Mansion. Tell Gillian I’ll bring

Percival hung

run out of patience for playing games with

her gaze settling on Percival’s expression with a hint of