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.

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

chuckled. She was well aware of

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

promotions, saying he preferred to be on the front lines. That’s admirable. But he seems to have this fascination

flicker of doubt in her eyes as she

he’s been trying to merge the ancient warrior lineages with the internal factions of the

said, “So he fought to protect Vance because they share the

to take charge, not like Vance, who wants to kick

not part of the ancient warrior lineage, so why would he want them in

“That’s why I find it strange. After Yorick moved up, I lost touch with Noah. All I know is that he stayed on the

been two factions within the Vanguard

the ancient warrior lineage, which focused on defense and included families like the

Agency special squad, like Vance and

had coexisted for years, each holding sway and

position and why Leopold could easily join the

made you bring up Noah?” Jasper

shook her head, placing a piece on the board, “Nothing much, Grandpa. You’ve lost

distracted by the conversation. He looked

chess pieces beside him, something

“Grandpa, no cheating! You promised me you’d go to bed. What kind

turned a shade of pink, and he glanced over at Yuri, who was busy entertaining the kids. With a mischievous smirk,

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