The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Arthur glanced at Dracon, breaking the silence, “How have you been holding up these past few years?”

Yorick scoffed dismissively. “How do you think? The guy’s been loafing around, never lifting a finger to do anything worthwhile.”

Yorick couldn’t help but compare him to his other sons, each carving out their own unique achievements in their chosen fields.

Dracon, meanwhile, remained at home, not even managing to take proper care of the family estate, the Linklater Mansion. His schemes were as transparent as they were numerous.

Just the other week, when Yorick had been poisoned, the investigation had been halted midway. The lack of inquiry didn’t mean Dracon was innocent.

But Yorick had stopped digging to protect Dracon. He knew that if the truth of the poisoning reached Arthur, with his fiery temper, Dracon’s days would be numbered.

Yorick, a man of integrity, would have made the same decision as Arthur in the past. But years had passed, Arthur and Hector had been away, and only Dracon had stayed by his side. Despite Dracon’s failings, he had taken decent care of him.

As he grew old, Yorick longed for family harmony over the anguish of a father burying his son. And so, he had covered for Dracon.

But…

Yorick’s eyes involuntarily drifted to Arthur.

Arthur’s return could only mean he was here for this very reason. If he decided to investigate, no cover-up would suffice.

The thought alone gave Yorick a headache.

Dracon had wanted to speak up, but hearing such a harsh critique from his father, he sulked into silence.

Arthur’s eagle-eyed gaze settled on Dracon for a few seconds before he spoke, “Dad, we all have our paths to maturity. Wasn’t I the same clueless kid once upon a time?”

been one to defend Dracon. He was doing good if he didn’t scold him—yet today, he was actually speaking

it be

Impossible!

soldier, far away on the battlefields where news traveled slowly. Even if Arthur had wanted to investigate something, it would take days, and there was no guarantee he

from the start. Even if Arthur wanted to pry,

be fishing

look, signaling him to keep

could elaborate, Arthur spoke again, “Dracon, don’t take Dad’s words to

eyes widened in disbelief. Was this really his big brother speaking? Was he possessed

over him. “What’s wrong? You think I’m

got it all wrong. I’m just not used to

battlefield hardened me. Now that I’m home for good, I’ll shed some of

“You’re staying for good? You’re leaving

become of his own chances to

Yorick and Hector were

this your choice

was a direct order, Arthur would

smile. “Arthur coming home is good news. I’ve been thinking of settling down, too. It’s about time we brothers

Yorick, “It’s my

return was now tinged

return would stir trouble in the Linklater family—a prospect far from

fit. Arthur patted his back, asking casually as if unaware of

Arthur of Yorick’s poisoning,

was about to dismiss it when Dracon burst out, “It’s all because of Percival and

we already settled this? Why are