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.

you to take it easy? Are you trying to undo your stitches? Do you have any idea how many wounds

watch over Leopold. Now that he was

fine. It’s got to be Percival badmouthing me behind my back—why else would I be sneezing?” Leopold protested, propped up in bed, swathed in

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

nothing.

Anna’s with him. Don’t worry, Vivienne said it’s just the anesthesia—he’ll wake up

his meal, nodding in agreement. “Yeah, with Vivienne and Boss

his nonchalance, Leopold’s eyes darted

his concern, fetched a wheelchair

usually this chummy. Can’t it wait?” Griffin fretted over Leopold’s

just need some fresh air,”

at Soren’s room to find Karen and Vivienne chatting outside. Vivienne frowned at

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

all too well. “Anna’s with him. Just take a peek

Anna being there? Let me check

held it back. “Vivienne and Cordelia are staying out here. You can see from the

complied,

in a chair, tenderly wiping Soren’s face with a damp cloth.

Leopold gasped.

the world? When

and

really Anna?

a knowing smile. “Anna and Soren are a good match. They might seem cold on the outside, but they’re both tender-hearted

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

heard from the team that Soren gave her his last life-saving pill, and

I’ve been rooting for Kenneth. I

devil, Kenneth arrived

a bouquet, a collection of thoughtfully chosen gifts, and an assortment of health supplements, Kenneth stood behind the crowd, peering through the glass at how tenderly Anna was

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