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

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

of Director reflected Yorick’s high hopes for

him as

his head slightly. “I’m sorry to disappoint

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

offered a faint smile

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 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

unlike you,” Yorick replied, giving Vivienne another meaningful glance. “My dear, what did

the special squad known as Lark. As for my father,

up, surprised, “You’re Lark’s

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

hoped to have her join our family. To think she had

Yorick’s envy was

not even know who her father was, let alone her

her mind. “Mr. Yorick, I’m trying to find someone. Have

“There’s no Vesper in the

you, Mr. Yorick. I got

time with Yorick, Vivienne and Percival took their

pulse and noticed a mole on his

extraordinary, but because she had

and Percival had left, Dracon

Diana seemed

not to worry; this old body of mine has a few good years left to play chess

words were

Diana quickly bid her

gone, Yorick’s

for so long. Why

your distance from Diana. That girl…

at his father’s advice but knew

his daughter Diana. You guys need to stop looking at her through those judgmental