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.”

her lips, her calm eyes betraying a hint

not daring to

Perez, I look forward to our continued partnership. Don’t disappoint me,” F-Poison said with a smile, standing

relief. “Enjoy your

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

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

haunted by the memory

was six

a man scale the fence and approach herself and

of Diana, eyeing the intruder warily. “Who are you? What are you

features obscured by a half-mask, revealed only his lips,

crouched down, smiling at Sasha’s question. “You must be Sasha, about the same age as my daughter. I’m F-Poison. It’s our first meeting, and I didn’t bring a gift.

“What do you want?

fun. Come on, Sasha. Let’s go,” F-Poison said, extending a hand

did not

your father

who was fiercely protecting her, and

to fight, confident in her own skills. Yet, Diana picked up a stone and struck Sasha hard on the

with disbelief in her eyes before collapsing into

handed the stone to F-Poison, her voice timid. “You

sound of the car horn snapped Diana back to

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

I won’t let your daughter return to the Perez family. I managed to get rid of you thirty years ago. I

…

At the Rivenwood Penitentiary.

through

on the floor, clutching at his collar, gasping for breath,

in her

pain,” she remarked, her tone dripping with sarcasm as she flipped the

favorite uncle in the Ellington family, a

stature was no less than

what had

cornering him, plunging him into

moments, Flynn had the audacity to try to use the entire Ellington family to