The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Diana flipped open the report, her eyes widening in disbelief as she saw today’s date stamped at the top.

“What on earth?” She exclaimed, her voice tinged with alarm.

How could this be happening?

Why had Yuri not given up on the paternity test with Vivienne?

She had already tampered with the test results back in Sea City!

Gillian shrugged dismissively. “How should I know? If I had not been on my toes, Vivienne’s true identity would have been exposed by now. Ms. Perez, it seems your standing in the Perez family is hanging by a thread.”

“There’s no need for your reminder, F-Poison!” Diana snapped back, her eyes ablaze with resentment.

And the woman in the villa, the one masquerading under Gillian’s guise, was indeed F-Poison.

F-Poison examined her reflection in the mirror, apparently quite pleased with her current facade. She reveled in Diana’s animosity without a hint of discomfort.

“Ms. Perez, anger leads to wrinkles, you know. You’re still so young; you should take care of your skin,” F-Poison advised, patting her own face gently.

Diana tore the paternity report into shreds and tossed it angrily into the trash bin.

She sat back, her gaze heavy with a cold intent. “Says someone who doesn’t have to live off her own face. Do you really care about it?”

F-Poison did not shy away from the question. “Of course, I take good care of my skin. Even with a mask, I wouldn’t let it suffer. A woman should never neglect herself.”

As F-Poison spoke, she settled opposite Diana, lifting a glass of red wine. “Ms. Perez, I’ve done you a huge favor. Shouldn’t I see some form of gratitude by now?”

Diana took a deep breath, her agitation subsiding. “I’ve only just arrived in Rivenwood, using my father’s illness as an excuse to come. Otherwise, the Perez family wouldn’t have wanted me here, fearing I’d charm my father into handing over the family fortune to me.”

“But you are here now, aren’t you? When will you fulfill your promise?”

F-Poison’s tone was light, as though she was commenting on the fine taste of the wine.

But Diana stiffened, a tingling sense of dread washing over her. She swallowed hard, fighting to keep her hands steady. “I’ll make good on my promise soon enough. Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten our deal.”

lips, her calm eyes betraying a

averted her gaze, not daring

continued partnership. Don’t disappoint me,” F-Poison said with a smile, standing to

relief. “Enjoy your drink.

care,” F-Poison replied, still with her back to Diana, her voice airy

rushed to her car, her hands finally ceasing their tremble after a long

wheel, she was haunted by the memory of

was six years

she had watched a man scale the fence and approach herself

the intruder warily. “Who are you?

a half-mask, revealed only

as my daughter. I’m F-Poison. It’s our first meeting, and I didn’t bring a gift. You don’t

do you want?

take you away, make your father lose you forever. That’s my fun. Come on, Sasha. Let’s go,” F-Poison said, extending a hand toward

did

your father lose

at Sasha, who was fiercely protecting her, and

was ready to fight, confident in her own skills. Yet, Diana picked up a

disbelief in her eyes before collapsing into

F-Poison, her voice timid. “You said to make her go away

sound of the car horn snapped Diana back to reality, her forehead

straight, took a deep breath, and started the car,

of you thirty years ago. I won’t let your daughter become an obstacle now!’ With malice,

…

At the Rivenwood Penitentiary.

pushed through the

gasping for breath, his body tormented as if

her mouth, her

seem to be in quite a bit of pain,”

favorite uncle in the Ellington family, a figure he had admired

was no less than Richard

what had Flynn

Percival’s trust, gradually cornering him, plunging him into the

try to use the entire