The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Gavin held the phone away from his ear as the busy tone droned on. After confirming that the line was indeed dead, he slammed the device down and spat in disgust.

"That old coot really thinks he's at the top of the ancient warrior lineage," he sneered. "Pfft! If it weren't for the Abernathy family hitting hard times, do you think I'd give him the time of day?"

Sensing his frustration, Madeline sashayed over and ran a soothing hand across Gavin's chest. "Come on, there's no need to get worked up over that bully. Oliver might be a bit heavy-handed, but he's been good to us over the years. What did he want us to do this time?"

Ever since the patriarch of the Abernathy family, Victoria's grandfather, had passed away, their allies had dwindled. Most had defected to the Grimshaw family, who had shot up from a middle-ranking family among the five major families to the top spot in just a decade.

Gavin might not have been the most capable leader, but he knew how to hitch his wagon to a star. Remembering the benefits they had reaped under the Grimshaws' wing, his mood lightened slightly. "What else could it be? Waking me up in the middle of the night to berate me for some perceived failure in my duties! He acts as if we're nothing but a subsidiary of the Grimshaws. Go fetch Victoria; tell her to make a trip to the police station."

As he dressed with Madeline's help, Gavin stomped towards the main hall, grumbling under his breath, "That useless girl! If she had any skill, she would have secured the Littleton family's secret by now. If she fails again, we're all done for!"

Madeline followed quietly, a smug satisfaction swelling in her as she heard her husband berate Victoria. Her eyes gleamed with opportunism as she caught up to him. "Gavin, it's late. Victoria and Harrison have surely retired for the night. Besides, with the Littletons already in custody, anyone could ask them a few questions. Why not let Sophie handle it? She's a night owl, probably still up. It could be a good experience for her, don't you think?"

Gavin halted, considering her suggestion. Victoria was not a morning person and might resist being dragged out at this hour. Plus, Harrison had advised easing up on her to avoid pushing her to defiance, which could ruin their plans.

But could Sophie handle it?

a different approach. She's hot-headed and clashes with people too easily. Kaitlyn seems no pushover, either. Maybe a softer strategy with Sophie could work. The item's with Vivienne now, but what's been given can be taken back. If Sophie can build rapport with Kaitlyn, securing the secret

struck a chord

Littleton elders in custody, they'd retrieve the secret one way or another. Without further

family estate. It

utterly defeated. Amelia, exhausted from crying, had finally fallen asleep in her mother's arms, tears still visible on

sound of the door, fearing the

to Vivienne's side. "Oh, Vivienne, you're here! I don't know what to do! My in-laws... they're so old, and it's all my fault.

buried her face in

limped over, his heart aching for her. "It's not your fault. Blame

then handed Kaitlyn a handkerchief.

"Tyler, you should stay and take

his limited mobility, Tyler

reassurance to her husband, Kaitlyn wiped away her tears and

the late hour upon them, Percival floored the gas pedal, determined to

patted Kaitlyn's shoulder while asking, "Kaitlyn, can you break it down for me? How is it that something not thoroughly investigated can be dredged up years later?" She had had her people look into the old couple's troubles before. Upon discovering that Kaitlyn was the benefactor who had helped her and her mother, Vivienne had

with too many other things on her plate and over a decade having passed, the