The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Seeing Jasper looking glum, Zelda could not help but offer some words of comfort. “Dad, I know each child is dear to you, just like Natalia and Yasmine. I always try to be fair, too. But respect is earned. Diana hasn’t even apologized to Vivienne yet. Instead, she’s playing the victim. How can we not complain?

Besides, you’ve been nothing but good to Diana over the years. Whatever others have, she has too, and often more. It’s her own lack of gratitude that’s the problem.”

Jasper knew in his heart that Zelda was not one to make a fuss. Raised in the affluent Lynette family, she was not inclined to pettiness or suspicion.

Her words now were a sign of genuine anger and disappointment towards Diana.

“Alas, Diana’s temperament isn’t as adaptable as the others. She only had Willa to play with when she was little, and Willa was quite the ice queen herself. If Sasha were around, Diana might not have turned out so reclusive…” Jasper made a feeble excuse, but it was enough for the moment.

Zelda gave a wry smile, saying nothing more. She knew all too well that a father’s heart always aches for his daughters.

Just then, Natalia and Yasmine came running in, laughing out loud. “Grandpa, Vivienne’s here!”

At the mention of Vivienne, Jasper sprang from his recliner and hurried to welcome her.

Zelda shook her head in mild exasperation. “Dad, slow down. Vivienne keeps telling you to take it easy.”

Jasper usually took Vivienne’s words as gospel, but now, eager to greet her, he cast caution to the wind.

“Vivienne, have you eaten yet? I thought you were not coming until tomorrow. I haven’t prepared anything special,” Jasper chatted affectionately with Vivienne.

Vivienne stayed by Jasper’s side all day, from morning till night, joining them for all three meals.

The Perez family was overjoyed. Vivienne’s visits were usually brief, just long enough for a meal, but today, it felt like she had truly come home.

After dinner, Vivienne joined Jasper for a game of chess in the yard.

“Grandpa, have you heard of Noah?” Vivienne inquired.

paused, “Noah?

“That’s him. Do you know

The guy’s a bit of an oddball. We don’t play along… I mean, we couldn’t

well aware of Jasper’s playful

odd about him? I’ve heard a lot of people at Vanguard Agency were trained by him. He

climb the ranks, Noah never chased power. He would decline promotions, saying he preferred to be on the front lines. That’s admirable. But he seems to have this fascination with the ancient warrior lineages,

a flicker of doubt in her eyes as she asked, “He’s interested

the ancient warrior lineages with the internal factions of the

fought to protect Vance because they share

head slightly. “He wants the ancient warrior lineages to take charge, not like Vance, who wants to kick them out of the

ancient warrior lineage, so why would he

touch with Noah. All I know is that he stayed on the front lines before being rehired, and all his

two factions within

included families like the Martinez family, who supplied the Agency with

squad, like Vance and Micah, who also provided financial support

for years, each holding sway and influencing major decisions.

Percival’s position and why Leopold could easily join the Martinez family’s

you bring up Noah?” Jasper

a piece on the board, “Nothing much, Grandpa. You’ve

been distracted by the conversation. He looked down at the board, his fingertips subtly

chess pieces beside him, something seemed to

sight of the situation and swiftly grabbed the bowl. “Grandpa, no cheating! You promised me you’d go to

of pink, and he glanced over at Yuri, who was busy entertaining the kids. With a mischievous smirk, he picked up a nearby glass of water and lobbed it towards

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