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.

Yorick finally turned his attention

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

of Director reflected Yorick’s high hopes for

saw him as

slightly. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, Mr.

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

a faint smile in

don’t know many of the new faces, so I can’t offer much help. But your road ahead

but laugh. “Seems Vivienne holds more sway than

you,” Yorick

might have met my mother; she was a member of the special squad known as Lark. As for

straightened up, surprised, “You’re Lark’s daughter?

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

hoped to have her join

tell Yorick’s

even know who her father was, let alone her grandfather, so she

Vivienne broached the subject she had on her mind. “Mr. Yorick, I’m trying

no Vesper in the Linklater

Yorick. I got

time with Yorick, Vivienne and Percival

Yorick’s pulse and noticed a mole on

was extraordinary, but because

Percival had left, Dracon

unhappy, while Diana seemed more enthusiastic, greeting Yorick

mine has a few good years left to play

words were a

Diana quickly bid her

she was gone,

been waiting for so long. Why

Diana. That girl… she’s a wild

father’s advice but knew

at her through those judgmental glasses just because she’s