The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Melissa was a wreck for a whole week when she heard the news of Karen’s passing. Even now, just the thought of it could bring tears to her eyes.

Karen reached out and wiped the tear from Melissa’s eye. “Come on, even your kids all grown up now. You shouldn’t be crying like when you were a little girl.”

Vivienne handed her a tissue. “Here, wipe your tears.”

Melissa looked up at Vivienne and then at Karen. “Auntie Karen, Vivienne’s had a tough time with the Brooks family. Now that you and Jasper are here, I want to apologize on behalf of the Brooks to both you and Vivienne.”

With that, Melissa bent forward in a deep bow.

Vivienne lifted her back up. “Auntie, you’re making us feel like strangers.”

“That’s right, if you keep this up, I’ll get cross,” Karen said, patting Melissa’s back. “Isn’t it great that we’re all here together now?”

Melissa nodded vigorously. “Yeah, you’re right. It’s nice, just like this.”

Vance watched from the side, well aware of the hardships Karen and Vivienne had endured over the years because of Scott and his organization. He knew that a mere apology or bow could not make up for it all.

But none of that mattered when it came to his beloved.

He put a comforting arm around Melissa’s shoulders, saying, “Melissa, we’ve finally got a chance to catch up with Karen. Let’s not dwell on the unhappy stuff. How about we talk about something cheerful?”

“Sure, Karen, let’s go chat over there.” Melissa affectionately linked arms with Karen, and they made their way over to where Zelda was.

Vance, Vivienne, and the ever-silent Jasper went to Jasper’s study in unspoken agreement.

Vance was aware that Vivienne’s invitation to join the Perez gathering was not just for pleasantries.

Inside the study, Percival was already there, serving coffee like a perfect gentleman.

Vance was surprised; he had not expected Percival to be at the Perez Mansion and was even more taken aback to see him waiting in the study.

put through the wringer this time,” Jasper said as soon

replied, “Jasper, you flatter me. I had no idea

heard from Percival that you’re quite interested in the ancient warrior

who was busy pouring coffee for Vivienne and not

my family, the Edwards, are connected by marriage to the ancient warrior lineage. After the Sheldon family met their demise, we took possession of the Mystic Vein. But since then, peace has eluded

knowing. He was well aware of the

family, the Perez family had considered keeping the Mystic Vein until they could return it to Ulysses Sheldon. But they were too late, and the

watchful eye on the Edwards, and when the head of the Edwards family

downfall, and then

was no saint and felt no

the Vanguard Agency and to have risen so rapidly

the ranks so quickly, only to realize he wanted

that the misfortunes of the Edwards family could be the

Vance’s eyes, “Are you suggesting that you know about my grandfather’s and my parents’ sudden deaths—that they were due to the Sheldon family’s curse? What exactly

was charged with emotion, and his hands balled into

Whatever has befallen the Edwards has nothing to do with

brow furrowed with frustration. “What do

a contract from his briefcase, a document between the Edwards Group and

Percy? Are you trying to meddle with whom the Edwards Group

warrior lineage and the Sheldons stirred Vance’s

to the name of the other party. “Don’t you want to

looked

“You really didn’t know? When the company went through the whole rebranding shindig and changed the CEO’s name, we penned a new deal

Martinez family. How could he have the time to fuss over a triviality like resigning some contract? He had not paid the slightest attention to who

the pharmaceutical company supplied – the only way

was not a man to be taken for a fool. His mind was sharp as a tack. “Who was

Ulysses.” Vivienne crossed her arms and leveled her

man he had been doggedly searching for, had been right under

She recounted the tale of how Finnian had once handed over the formula to Vance’s grandfather, only for him to disregard it as worthless.Books Chapters Are