The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Kaitlyn knew all too well that things couldn't be that simple; there must have been someone fanning the flames behind the scenes.

But by then, the Littletons had fallen from grace. Those who once flocked around her family with flattering words were nowhere to be found after her parents' untimely deaths. To seek their help now would be nothing short of a pipe dream.

Yet the persecution from the ancient warrior lineages did not cease.

Tears streamed down Kaitlyn's cheeks as she struggled to catch her breath, coughing twice. "My father-in-law, Julian, ever since someone accused him of taking bribes... It's been one thing after another. Private tutoring, disciplining students too harshly. And now... they're accusing him of... of indecency with a student."

Julian had once been a celebrated teacher at Rivenwood High, but now his reputation was in tatters.

His wife, Sadie, couldn't continue with her job either, taken in for questioning by the school board time and again. Only after the school let them go did the tumult finally begin to subside.

parents think it's Julian's fault, so... so they called the cops and had him taken away." Vivienne listened intently to Kaitlyn's account, her

finally speaking up, "What's the girl's

shaky, "Her name is Cassidy. After the incident, I heard her family was so ashamed that

"Havenwood?"

in ages. She paused for a moment before reassuringly smiling, "Don't

cell phone, "Check for a family in Havenwood, daughter

involving Julian and

heart swelling with gratitude for the most impulsive decision she had made years ago, which turned out to be the best one. Without Vivienne, she might have already crumbled under the pressure from the Abernathy

patting Kaitlyn's hand to comfort

another, especially after so much time has passed. Any surveillance from the old office would be long gone. Are there any witnesses

investigating. They just took her word for it. Julian wasn't jailed, but he was detained for weeks. During that time, Sadie, Tyler, and I tried everything to appeal,

surprised and switched gears, "What about the

she clenched her teeth, "Who else but that ungrateful brat? Without Julian's financial support, he wouldn't have been able to

Sophie was in a foul mood, roused from her bed in

seeing Julian and Sadie locked up, she felt a surge of disdain. They were the reason she couldn't sleep peacefully, and their clothes were worth less than a mere fraction of her blouse. But before leaving the Abernathy estate, Madeline had given her instructions: no matter what, they

contemptuous glance at the couple behind bars before a venomous plot took root, "Give those two a taste of their own medicine." Lurking in the shadows, she was out of Julian and

officers, they hesitated, "I'm sorry, Ms. Abernathy. We can't use

pressure during interrogation is nothing new. Are you saying you've never done that before?" The officers were in a bind. If not for Sophie's influential status, they'd be

their cell's air conditioning and let in some mosquitoes. Surely, that's not beyond your capabilities?" The two old geezers looked like a strong breeze could knock them over, let alone the chill of an air conditioner combined with the relentless assault of pesky mosquitoes. They were in for

arrived at the precinct lobby, the head of the local Education Bureau was still comforting the girl's mother, who had