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.

been put through the wringer this time,”

no idea

formalities. I’ve heard from Percival that you’re quite interested in the

Percival, who was busy pouring

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

knowing. He was

until they could return it to Ulysses Sheldon. But they were too late, and the Edwards

watchful eye on the Edwards, and when the head of the Edwards family and Vance’s parents died under mysterious circumstances, it was hard for them not to

complete downfall, and

no saint and felt

the Vanguard Agency and to have risen

Vance had climbed the ranks so quickly, only

misfortunes of the Edwards family could be the result of

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 is in that Mystic

was charged with emotion, and his hands balled

do with the Sheldon family. On the contrary, you might want to consider whether the fault

frustration. “What do you mean

pulled out a contract from his briefcase, a document

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

warrior lineage and the Sheldons stirred

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

then looked closely—the chairman was none other than

said with a smirk, “You really didn’t know? When the company went through the whole rebranding shindig and

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

cutting-edge gas masks that the pharmaceutical company supplied – the only way to halt the sacrifice of their workers and safeguard

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

her arms and leveled her gaze

doggedly searching for, had been right

of emotions across Vance’s face and could not help but curve her lips into a sly smile. She recounted the tale of how Finnian had once handed over the formula to Vance’s grandfather, only for him to disregard it as