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.

bit more chatter, Yorick finally turned

next time I saw

title of Director reflected Yorick’s high

he saw him as his

“I’m sorry to disappoint you, Mr.

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

faint smile

silent for a moment before Yorick continued, “I’ve been out of the loop at Vanguard Agency for a while now. I don’t know many of the new faces, so I

could not help but laugh. “Seems Vivienne holds more

Yorick replied, giving Vivienne another meaningful glance.

met my mother; she was a member of the special squad known

“You’re Lark’s daughter? She had

that the Linklater that Karen had mentioned must be none other than Yorick before

her. I always thought you looked familiar. I once hoped to have her join our family. To think she had a child

tell Yorick’s envy

alone her grandfather, so she

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

his head. “There’s no Vesper in

Yorick. I got it.” Vivienne

with Yorick,

checked Yorick’s pulse and noticed a mole on

not because the mole was extraordinary, but because she had

left,

Diana

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

were

the hint, Diana quickly bid her

gone, Yorick’s

waiting for so long. Why did you send her away

from Diana. That girl…

advice but

daughter Diana. You guys need to stop looking at her