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.”

glass, the wine tracing her lips,

not daring

forward to our continued partnership. Don’t disappoint me,”

of relief. “Enjoy your

F-Poison replied, still with her back to

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

haunted by the memory of

was six years

Perez Mansion’s backyard, she had watched a man scale the fence

herself in front of Diana, eyeing the intruder

a half-mask, revealed only his lips,

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

do you want? Stay away

here 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

hidden behind Sasha, did

‘make your father

who was fiercely protecting her, and took a step

skills. Yet, Diana picked up

turned with disbelief in her eyes before

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

of the car horn snapped Diana

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

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

…

At the Rivenwood Penitentiary.

through the

collar, gasping for breath, his body tormented as if covered in

a seat, twirling a lollipop in her mouth, her

seem to be in quite a bit of pain,” she remarked, her

uncle in the Ellington

was

had Flynn

him, plunging him into the maelstrom

audacity to try to use the entire Ellington