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 hint

her gaze, not daring to meet

disappoint me,” F-Poison said with

of relief. “Enjoy your drink.

back to

the villa and rushed to her car, her hands finally ceasing their tremble after

was haunted by the memory of that

six

man scale the fence

Sasha positioned herself in front of Diana, eyeing the intruder warily. “Who

by a half-mask, revealed only his

Sasha, about the same age as my daughter. I’m F-Poison.

“What do you want? Stay

to 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 Sasha, his demeanor still

behind Sasha, did not know

she heard ‘make your father lose you forever,’ something

fiercely protecting her, and took

in her own skills. Yet, Diana picked up a

turned with disbelief in her eyes before collapsing

voice timid. “You said to

Diana back to reality,

took a deep breath, and started the car, her gaze hardening

the Perez family. I managed to get rid of you thirty years ago.

…

At the Rivenwood Penitentiary.

through

on the floor, clutching at his collar, gasping for breath, his body tormented as if covered in

a seat, twirling a lollipop in her mouth, her face etched with

quite a bit of pain,” she remarked, her tone dripping with sarcasm as she

in the Ellington family, a figure he

stature was no less

what had Flynn

plunging him into the maelstrom time

to try