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.”

tracing her lips, her calm eyes

not daring to meet

our continued partnership. Don’t disappoint me,”

of relief. “Enjoy your drink. I

her back to Diana, her voice airy

hurried out of the villa and rushed to her car, her hands finally ceasing their tremble

the steering wheel, she was haunted by the memory of that fateful

six years

scale

positioned herself in front of Diana, eyeing the intruder warily. “Who are you? What are you doing in our

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

down, smiling at Sasha’s question. “You must be Sasha, about the same age as my daughter. I’m F-Poison.

you want? Stay away

Come

hidden behind Sasha, did not know

your father lose you

fiercely protecting her, and took

skills. Yet, Diana picked up

in her

timid. “You said to

car horn snapped Diana back to reality, her forehead

up straight, took a deep breath, and started

get rid of

…

At the Rivenwood Penitentiary.

through the

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

a lollipop in her mouth, her face etched with a

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

was Percival’s favorite uncle in the Ellington family, a figure he had admired

stature was no less than Richard

had

trust, gradually cornering him, plunging him into the

had the audacity to try to use the