The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Yorick Linklater squinted his eyes, truly oblivious to the fact that his most well-behaved son had been stirring up such trouble behind his back.

To think his son had even ventured into the black market, exploiting his privileges!

He had surely underestimated this wretched boy!

The next moment, Yorick’s boot connected viciously with Dracon’s jaw, nearly shattering it. “You beast, shut your mouth! Worthless trash!”

Dracon was in too much pain to speak.

Yorick, tired of the spectacle, settled back into his chair. “Percival, come in.”

Percival stepped through the door, his steely gaze briefly sweeping over the maggot writhing on the floor. “Yorick.”

“This mess is my fault for not keeping a tighter leash. I’ll cover all the losses the Brooks family has suffered. Go back and tell Vivienne not to fret about the bionic tech incident. I’ll look into it discreetly. As for F-Poison, we’re blind until she surfaces again.”

Percival was of the same mind. “Understood.”

Yorick exhaled deeply, producing a contract. “Take this as compensation for Vivienne and the Brooks family. We’ll address the losses separately.”

Percival scanned the document—it was an international business contract. Without lifting a finger, they’d rake in thirty billion dollars a year.

He pocketed the contract unceremoniously. Vivienne, the little money-hoarder, would probably forgive all his transgressions at the sight of it!

“Yorick, I’ll take my leave then.” Percival grinned, knowing full well that Dracon was not his problem to handle.

With Dracon silenced by Yorick and Gillian taken away for investigation, it seemed peace would reign, at least for a while.

Matthew held the contract with a grin that threatened to split his face. Thirty billion dollars! That was his salary for three whole years! Now, with this windfall, he could certainly petition Vivienne for a bonus.

Percival shook his head at the sight of Matthew’s glee, musing how he mirrored Vivienne’s expression when it came to money. No wonder Leopold pinched pennies like no other—it was an Emerald Mountain tradition!

“Achoo!” Leopold sneezed so violently as soon as he woke up that he nearly tore his sutures.

to take it easy? Are you trying to undo your stitches? Do you have any

a constant presence at the hospital, forgoing sleep to watch over Leopold. Now that he was awake, her eyes were nearly swollen shut from

behind my back—why else would I be sneezing?” Leopold protested, propped up in bed, swathed in bandages, his only mobility in his restless eyes. “Griffin,

shook her head. “No. Dad mentioned your father’s not been well;

They’d be fretting over nothing. Ow, I’m starving. Is Soren awake

while feeding Leopold, “Still out. Anna’s with him. Don’t worry, Vivienne said it’s just

in agreement. “Yeah, with Vivienne and Boss on it, he’ll

Leopold’s eyes darted

concern, fetched a wheelchair and helped Leopold to

guys aren’t usually this chummy. Can’t it wait?” Griffin

just need some fresh

find Karen and Vivienne chatting outside. Vivienne frowned at Leopold. “Who let you

getting some fresh air. How’s Soren? Still out cold?” Leopold

all too well. “Anna’s with

with Anna being there? Let me

it back. “Vivienne and Cordelia are

complied,

Soren’s face with a damp cloth. Her motions were gentle, her gaze soft and

Leopold gasped.

world?

to bicker nonstop, and now they

that really Anna? It

smile. “Anna and Soren are a good match. They might seem

in surprise. “There must be a reason. Did Soren save Anna’s life

“Sort of. We heard from the team that Soren gave her his last life-saving pill, and

“I thought so. And here I’ve been rooting for Kenneth. I can’t let Soren get

devil, Kenneth arrived just

an assortment of health supplements, Kenneth stood behind the crowd, peering through the glass at how

Vivienne, when Anna comes out, hand her these things for me, will ya? I gotta run, but tell her to take it easy. I’ll swing by