The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Maddox furrowed his brow, “Did Vivienne really say that?”

Diana’s eyes flickered with hope, “Yeah, she said exactly that, Maddox. What do you think she’s trying to pull?”

She thought she had finally found a crack in Maddox’s armor, a chance to see him stop shielding Vivienne.

But Maddox just shrugged it off. “That kid, talking nonsense. She doesn’t need to replace you; you were never comparable to her in the first place.”

With that, Maddox shook his head and walked away, muttering about how Vivienne always overthinks things.

Diana felt like she had been struck by lightning. Her nails dug into her palms, but she could not feel the pain.

Maddox had said she was never comparable to Vivienne!

All things aside, she had been part of the Perez family for nearly three decades, ever since she was a baby.

And Vivienne was just an outsider whose place in the family had not even been confirmed.

How could Maddox say such a thing?

Diana was seething. She would see to it that Vivienne paid with her life, now, immediately, without delay!

After leaving the Perez Mansion, Vivienne received a call from Maddox, “Vivienne, I did what you told me to, but it’s kind of odd. Why provoke Diana like that? She’s not one to take things lightly; she must be fuming by now.”

Vivienne chuckled on the other end. “No worries, as long as it’s been said.”

Maddox did not press further. “Alright, mission accomplished. Watch your back, and if you need me, just holler.”

“Actually, there’s one thing,” Vivienne said playfully, “Tomorrow, could you take Grandpa and everyone out? Leave someone behind, an auntie or anyone apart from Diana.”

Maddox paused, “What for?”

“It’ll come in handy.”

“Okay, you call the shots.” Maddox laughed and hung up.

He never questioned Vivienne’s motives or tried to stop her. He just played along.

all, he was the best uncle

stretched in the car and

glanced at her with a smile. “What’s

you’ve been driving yourself, I’ve missed

the brakes hard enough to launch

becoming

But he liked it.

next day, Maddox herded the family out early, claiming they were going

so sleepy she refused

Maddox left with the rest of the family in

to

before she could reach her room, dizziness overwhelmed her,

her, Diana’s face twisted into a sinister smile as she looked down at the

my shield for the day. If something fatal happens, don’t

the unconscious Zelda and whisking her away from the

only to wake up and

up – Zelda’s

dare hurt me, the Lynette and Perez families will

cracked across Zelda’s

your husband either he pays up or get ready to pick up your

the video, squeezed out a

Zelda’s in trouble. I can’t reach Dad

the phone, Diana’s voice was heavy with

confusion. “What’s that?

want a ransom, but I can’t get hold of Dad or my brothers. Vivienne, you’ve got to come quick. Zelda’s in

said, hanging up and

“I’ve got enough money, Vivienne. They can’t be reached. Let’s go pay the ransom. I’m afraid if we’re late, Zelda

Vivienne nodded. “Let’s go.”

Vivienne rush to the car, a sly smile on

Zelda’s rescue; after all, Zelda had always treated her

it meant risking her own neck, Vivienne would come for the

Diana kept trying to reach the kidnappers, but there was no trace

at the designated spot, they were told to move to

had been

instructing them to carry the

no choice,