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

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

of Director reflected Yorick’s high

he saw him

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

the point. You young folks have your own paths, and I understand that. The recent incident must have

faint smile

don’t know many of the new faces, so

laugh. “Seems Vivienne holds

I hit it off from the start, unlike you,” Yorick replied, giving Vivienne another

she was a member of the special squad

surprised, “You’re Lark’s daughter?

Karen had mentioned must

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

tell Yorick’s

who her father was, let alone her grandfather, so she felt there was really no

she had on her mind. “Mr. Yorick, I’m trying to find someone.

shook his head. “There’s no

Yorick. I got

time with Yorick, Vivienne and Percival took

Vivienne checked Yorick’s pulse and

because the mole was extraordinary, but

left, Dracon returned with Diana

while Diana seemed more enthusiastic, greeting Yorick

not to worry; this old body of mine has

were

hint, Diana quickly bid her farewells

she was gone, Yorick’s smile

waiting for so long. Why did you

you should keep your distance from Diana. That girl… she’s a wild

his father’s advice but knew better than to

his daughter Diana. You guys need to stop looking at her through those judgmental glasses just because she’s adopted,” grumbled Dracon with a