The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

In the heart of Northway City stood the formidable Grimshaw Castle, a bastion of power and legacy. Asher knelt in the castle's solemn chapel, his back as straight as an arrow, beads of sweat tracing a path down his forehead. His lips were sealed tight, and as he lifted his gaze to meet that of Oliver, the patriarch seated before him, his elongated, phoenix-like eyes betrayed a storm of discontent beneath their submissive facade.

Oliver saw right through Asher's facade, but he didn't give it a second thought. "You've really grown some nerve, haven't you? Strutting off with a handful of men to challenge the Perez family as if you've got a death wish! If it wasn't for Joss taking that hit for you today, you'd be the one lying on a deathbed!"

His paused. "Asher, if you find the title of Grimshaw heir too hot to handle, just say the word. There's no shortage of brothers in this family itching for the throne. We won't miss one!"

Indeed, they wouldn't miss just one.

There was always Ethan Grimshaw, the bastard son.

Asher bit back the retort that bubbled to his lips, knowing full well it would only fuel Oliver's anger. His eyes shifted subtly, suppressing his resentment. "Dad, you insisted we find that bioweapon. I finally tracked down Vivienne's whereabouts and learned of her ties to the Perez family... It was careless of me. I didn't anticipate how crucial she would be to them."

"Crucial, my foot!" Oliver couldn't help but let loose a curse. "You think I'm unaware of your schemes? You thought the Perez family, scattered and weakened over the years, would be an easy target? You don't even weigh enough to throw your hat in the ring, yet you dared to snatch someone from their grasp? You're lucky Jasper didn't finish you off for the insolence you showed! Vivienne? You've slapped the Perez family in the face, and you think Jasper's as spineless as Gavin Abernathy?"

Oliver stood up, snatching a document from the table and tossing it into Asher's lap. "Take a look. There are ways to handle Vivienne, but not by barging into the Perez family's territory like a bull in a china shop. You accomplished nothing and managed to come back stinking of trouble!"

scanning it quickly. The familiar name 'Kaitlyn Littleton' caught his eye, and he frowned, "The Littleton family? You mean to approach from their end? But isn't their line all but extinguished? And hasn't the Abernathy family always been the one to handle Kaitlyn? How

the Abernathys when

dust, exhaling deeply, "You blockhead! Gavin's been useless, unable to retrieve what's ours. What's left to collaborate on? The Littleton line might be gone,

me; I'll find someone else to take care of it. You want to deal with Vivienne? Here's

left Asher alone in the chapel. Holding the business card, Asher's face was

mysterious call. No one knew what was said, but moments later, the superintendent, accompanied

to guide him to the couch for

Kaitlyn immediately

the Grimshaw family's intrusion when she took Kaitlyn's call. Hearing the situation, she frowned, "Aren't

from before. So, they took them away. Vivienne, can you help? Please, can you

Abernathy household, Gavin was lounging in the blissful company of his wife,

the caller ID, Gavin answered with a contented sigh,

with contempt, "Gavin, seems like you're living the life. How's that little