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.

loved that woman for over a decade, watched his daughters clash with a dark scowl on

clenched her fists, her eyes fierce. “And if

eyes, murky and venomous as a snake in the dark, hissed, “Refuse? Guards! Today, I beat

had indeed been too lenient with Victoria lately! His daughter, just like her mother, was stubborn to the

humiliated him time and

to mimic her mother’s rebellious

The audacity!

the Abernathy family guards stepped forward, their

charged towards Victoria, intent on bringing

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

sneaking glances at Victoria, a malicious glee shining

defiant gaze, Sophie clung to Gavin as if frightened. “Daddy, her bodyguard is so fierce. He won’t

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

in his eyes. He murmured, “I have not forgotten who raised me, sir. But if I am to protect Ms. Victoria, that is precisely what I shall do.

“You!”

to explode, but Harrison, who had been silent, casually glanced at Sophie, defusing the tension. “Dad, Victoria just spoke out of turn; that’s just her nature. You know that. She is your legitimate daughter, the only child

not quite the same. Without

speak. With a few words, he had calmed the storm brewing in the old man’s heart, which had been set