The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne had thought she was doing Paula a kindness when she sent her to meet Arabella on Jericho Isle, suggesting Arabella was her long-lost daughter.

But that was a lie.

Who Paula’s real daughter was, or where she might be, Vivienne neither knew nor cared to discover. It was enough to let Paula believe she had been reunited with her daughter, to share in mutual suffering.

Jasper grunted. “We found her, alright, but it was too late. She was barely recognizable as a human. By the time we got to her, both her kidneys were gone. She didn’t last long after that.”

Vivienne recalled that the Brooks family once asked CK to find Paula’s daughter. Little did they know that CK was the very culprit of the disappearance of Paula’s daughter.

“Flynn spent years using his botanist cover to hunt for targets at universities abroad, amassing wealth for CK, while Fiona managed the operations back home. Using the Ellington family’s name, they covered up many crimes.”

After handing Flynn over to the Perez family, Vivienne had stopped inquiring into his affairs. It was mainly to spare Percival from reopening old wounds.

The extent of Flynn’s cruelty had surpassed even Vivienne’s imagination. But then again, as a disciple of F-Poison, how could he be anything but vicious?

Jasper chuckled. “Did he tell you he wants to meet someone from the Perez family?”

“Yes, he probably wants to see F-Poison’s daughter.” Vivienne shared her thoughts with Jasper.

Jasper nodded in agreement, “Too bad he won’t get to see Willa, but there are others in the Perez family he can meet. How about we go see them together tomorrow?”

Vivienne’s gaze flickered, sensing that Jasper seemed to know everything.

Jasper looked at her with a gentle tap on her head, “Vivienne, I know. Our bond is unbreakable.”

Vivienne felt a lump in her throat. She had been right. Jasper knew everything but kept silent for her safety, never acknowledging their relationship openly.

With a choked sob, she nodded vigorously. “Yes, Grandpa. Our bond is unbreakable.”

Jasper’s smile deepened, clearing the mist from his eyes as he took her hand and continued their walk through the garden.

The following day, the entire Perez family visited the secret prison.

close to Jasper,

system was flaring up, tormenting both his

cell with eyes devoid of sympathy.

on the floor, sweating profusely, roaring like

head away,

an hour, Flynn’s screams finally

on the floor, he took a while to recover before sitting up nonchalantly, scanning the faces before him with

aren’t you? Bringing everyone

chin in disdain, a smirk on her lips. “There’s a certain charm in watching a

face

how he vented his anger, he could not

mother is dead, Vivienne, and soon it’ll be your turn!” he

indifferently. “Well,

turned on the

hands were clenched on the bars, and the sudden shock sent spasms

up,” Maddox growled,

to laugh hysterically. “You’re Maddox, right? Perez family’s third, fallen for the enemy’s daughter, Willa? You’ve got some guts. And you, old man, aren’t you

I raised. I’m proud of her. If she reciprocates the feelings for Maddox, I’d gladly give them my blessings. Flynn, what do you think your mentor would say if he knew his daughter

laughed outright. Jasper’s words were a sharp

much F-Poison cared for Willa by Flynn’s desperate desire to see her. Jasper’s

up! Let

to see you. She said if F-Poison dies, she will exhume his ashes if necessary to

as his poison

button, and a hatch opened above

administered a mild antidote; they needed Flynn to be

did you and your mentor abduct

twist in anxiety as she watched

knew, what would she

after all, whose actions led

no, there was no way F-Poison would

must

his breath, Flynn let out a snicker and said, “My mentor killed her just to vent his anger, and damn it felt good. Old