The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Dracon hesitated, the words on the tip of his tongue dying before they could be born. He had no choice but to heed Yorick’s command.

Diana didn’t even offer a word of concern before Dracon led her out.

Yorick glanced at Percival, then at Vivienne by his side, his gaze softening with a touch of tenderness. “My dear, how old are you now?”

“Twenty,” Vivienne replied.

Her twentieth birthday had passed, but she had never been one to celebrate. Birthdays always reminded her of her mother.

Thus, when Mr. Wolf suggested throwing her a birthday bash, she declined.

But she decided future birthdays could be celebrated.

The thought of all the years gone by without her mother’s homemade strawberry cheesecake made her blood boil! All because Karen faked her death! From now on, she swore to indulge in strawberry cheesecake on her birthdays until she couldn’t take another bite!

Despite her disdain for Dracon, she held a fondness for Yorick.

She felt an indescribable familiarity in Yorick, just like the first time she met Jasper.

Yorick clicked his tongue. “Putting up with this sourpuss for a boyfriend must be tough on you.”

Vivienne chuckled. “It’s not so bad; Mr. Wolf treats me well.”

“A face like a block of ice, and you say he treats you well? Child, if that boy ever gives you trouble, you come straight to me. I’ll make sure he regrets it,” Yorick said with a deepening smile, his eyes shining with affection for Vivienne.

Percival could only sigh to himself.

No matter the company, when Vivienne was around, he might as well have been invisible.

Well, he mused, who could blame him for being willingly outshone by her?

“Thank you, Mr. Yorick. But Mr. Wolf wouldn’t dare. He knows he can’t outmatch me,” Vivienne said, not realizing she was becoming more talkative in Yorick’s company.

finally turned his

let out a deep sigh, “I thought the next time I saw you, you’d

title of Director reflected Yorick’s high hopes for

him as

head slightly. “I’m sorry to

is beside the point. You young folks have your own paths, and I understand that.

a faint smile in

of the new faces, so I can’t offer much help. But your road ahead should be easier. If you ever need me, for Vivienne’s sake, I’ll be

but laugh. “Seems Vivienne holds more sway

course, she and I hit it off from the start, unlike you,” Yorick replied, giving Vivienne another meaningful glance. “My

have met my mother; she was a member of the special squad known as Lark. As for my father, I never

“You’re Lark’s daughter?

that’s me.” Vivienne knew then that the Linklater that Karen had mentioned must

Vivienne closely, then nodded in affirmation. “Yes, you resemble her. I always thought you looked familiar. I once hoped to have her join our family. To think she had a child and such

could tell Yorick’s envy was

father was, let alone her grandfather, so she felt there was really

subject she had on her mind. “Mr. Yorick, I’m trying to find someone. Have you ever heard

no Vesper in the

Mr. Yorick. I got it.”

more time with Yorick, Vivienne and Percival took

were parting, Vivienne checked Yorick’s pulse

herself, not because the mole was extraordinary, but because she had a similar one in the exact same

left, Dracon returned with Diana to

clearly unhappy, while Diana

Tell your father not to worry; this old body of mine has a few good years left to play chess with him,” Yorick said

words were

the hint, Diana quickly bid her

she was gone, Yorick’s smile

been waiting for so long. Why did you

Diana. That girl… she’s a wild card,”

at his father’s advice but knew better than to

her through those judgmental glasses just because she’s adopted,” grumbled Dracon with a growing sense