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!

the Perez family mocked the young master over this,

it

with distaste. "I thought it was something serious. The mighty Asher, beaten by a

pass down their lack of

past with Zelda when a furious Asher couldn't take it anymore. A swift hand sent a blast toward

"Whoa there!"

and dodged, "Asher, sneaking around, is that

waste words?

and a huge rock appeared out

was hurt again, wouldn't he and Isaac be

Asher froze in place.

generations, ancient warrior lineages had guarded

current state of the Perez family's offspring hadn't escaped

the fiercest

this new development

it landed, wouldn't he be dead

run, but his feet might as well have been rooted to the spot. He could only watch as the massive boulder rushed toward him! Maddox had already

completely petrified, the brothers exchanged a knowing smile. This had all been part of their plan

as mild-tempered as he

him strike first. That way, even if it came to Oliver's attention, they'd have nothing to say in

"Young master! Dodge it!"

to Asher's side with lightning

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!