The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The blistering sun scorched everyone outside, but Jasper seemed utterly unfazed. His face showed not a trace of discomfort as he quietly observed the melodrama unfolding before him.

It wasn't until Asher spoke again that Jasper, with a playful tap of his cane on Fredrick's shoulder, intervened, "Asher, don't stoop to his level. My son here has never been much of a handler. He just can't stand to see me bad-mouthed."

Jasper's cool gaze swept over Isaac, who had fainted on the ground, his look as indifferent as if he were staring at a piece of trash. "However, your man really doesn't have the gift of gab. After all, I'm from the same generation as your father. For a mere servant to play the hero in front of me... The Grimshaw family's manners sure have decayed over the years, haven't they?"

Asher, irritated by the relentless heat, snapped, "Never mind him. Jasper, I don't have all day to waste with you. Where the hell is Vivienne?!"

"How should I know where Vivienne is?" Jasper spread his hands innocently.

With a subtle nod to Carmen, a chair was swiftly placed beneath him. "Ah, I'm getting on in years. When I see a promising young person, I can't help but wish they were one of my own. That's why I took the gir as my goddaughter. But blood is thicker than water, and she doesn't report her whereabouts to me. What's the matter, Asher? Got business with her?"

Facing Jasper's probing little gaze, Asher choked, his eyes growing more cruel by the second.

Before he could get a word out, Joss, one of the other bodyguards, jumped in, "She hurt our young master. We've been giving the order to bring her back!"

A snicker rippled through the crowd at his statement.

Asher's face flushed with anger and embarrassment, his eyes glaring daggers at Joss, "Shut your trap!"

Idiot!

Realizing too late that he'd misspoken, Joss grew frantic.

With one menacing look from Asher, he felt like his soul had been scared out of him. He hastily retreated behind the crowd, wishing he could vanish into thin air and be forgotten by Asher.

He was doomed!

master over this, he was a dead

he prayed, but it seemed

thought it was something serious. The mighty Asher, beaten by a girl?

the loop. Some families just shamelessly pass down their lack of decency. You don't know

share Oliver's dark past with Zelda when a furious Asher couldn't take it anymore. A swift hand sent a blast toward Maddox's face,

"Whoa there!"

"Asher, sneaking around, is

words? Let's

appeared out

out in alarm. If the young master was hurt again, wouldn't he and Isaac be dead

Asher froze in place.

lineages had guarded secrets

five major families didn't fully know each other's secrets. The current state

that the fiercest

new

rock-if it landed, wouldn't he be

been rooted to the spot.

Asher completely petrified, the brothers exchanged a knowing smile. This had all been part

wasn't as mild-tempered as

make him strike first. That way, even if it came to Oliver's attention, they'd have nothing to say in their defense. They wanted to capture their precious niece?

"Young master! Dodge it!"

to Asher's side with

a mighty leap, he shoved Asher aside; then the rock crashed down. Joss's body flew through the air like a weightless punching bag, out towards the open!