The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Victoria rolled her eyes at Gavin, her voice thick with defiance. “I’m talking to my dad; what’s it to you?”

Gavin slammed his hand on the table, his voice booming. “Victoria! You’re getting completely out of line. Harrison is your husband, a member of this family. Look at yourself; what kind of attitude is that?

I asked you to handle things because it’s for the good of our family! No respect for your elders, gallivanting about all day—what have you learned? Can’t even handle this simple task. It’s embarrassing to even admit to our acquaintances that you’re my daughter!”

Sophie twirled a lock of her blonde hair, sashaying towards Gavin in an attempt to calm him. “Daddy, please, don’t be angry.”

Then she turned to Victoria with a smirk. “Sis, you’re really out of line. Dad’s just trying to check in on your progress. After all, dealing with that Kaitlyn has been dragging on forever.”

Her smile was coy and suggestive. “You always seem to have plenty of tricks up your sleeve when it comes to dealing with me and my mom. How come none of them work outside? Don’t tell me you’re taking pity on Kaitlyn and dragging your feet on purpose?”

“Shut up!” Victoria’s gaze was icy. “I’m talking to Dad. What right do you, a bastard, have to interrupt? The Abernathy family’s main hall has, for generations, been a place for legitimate heirs and their offspring. Sophie Abernasy, a woman who can’t even claim her place in the Abernathy family tree and clings to the name for the sake of its sound—who gave you the audacity to stand here and squawk at me?”

“You!” Sophie’s face flushed a deep purple, “Dad, look at her! How can she speak to me like this? I—I’m just looking out for her. The deadline we promised the Grimshaw family is nearly upon us. If we can’t deliver the recipe, we’ll be in trouble. The Grimshaws have far more influence and wealth; how can our family stand against them?”

Sophie’s face bore a striking resemblance to her mother, especially in her pretentious and affected mannerisms.

Victoria felt sick just looking at her, and Harrison, witnessing the scene, couldn’t help but frown.

his daughters clash with a dark scowl on his face.

her fists, her eyes fierce. “And

in the dark, hissed, “Refuse? Guards! Today,

His daughter, just

day, her mother, flaunting her status as an Ellington heiress, had humiliated him time and again. His affection for her had been utterly worn down

Victoria dared to

The audacity!

the Abernathy family guards stepped forward, their voices

intent on bringing her to

standing to the side, would not let them near, fighting two against one, determined to

a malicious glee shining in her eyes, wishing she could

unsettled by Victoria’s defiant gaze, Sophie clung to Gavin as if frightened. “Daddy, her bodyguard is so fierce. He

was livid with his unruly daughter! He glared at Walter, his voice cold and menacing. “Walter, don’t forget whom you serve. I employed you to protect my daughter, not to join

head, a barely noticeable flash in his eyes. He murmured, “I have not forgotten who raised me, sir. But if I am to protect Ms.

“You!”

the tension. “Dad, Victoria just spoke out of turn; that’s just her nature. You know that. She is

graces, but his relationship with Victoria, his biological daughter, was not quite the same. Without a son of his own, Gavin had taken to grooming Harrison

how to speak. With a few words, he had calmed the storm brewing in the