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.

from her building and took her life. Her parents think it's Julian's fault, so... so they called the cops and had him taken away."

in silence, absorbing every word, before finally speaking up, "What's the girl's name?

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

"Havenwood?"

before reassuringly smiling, "Don't worry. What's

ahead, Kaitlyn started to protest, but Vivienne had already turned away, dialing on her cell phone, "Check for a family in Havenwood, daughter named Cassidy, moved there five years ago from Rivenwood, left because of

case involving Julian and Sadie. I want details, as

her, at a loss for words, her 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

said nothing, simply patting Kaitlyn's

fixed on the road ahead, spoke, "Bribery and unauthorized tutoring are one thing; allegations of indecency are another, especially after so much time has passed. Any surveillance from the old office would be long gone. Are there any witnesses

didn't even bother investigating. They just took her word for it. Julian wasn't jailed, but he was detained

"What

wouldn't have been able to afford his education. Yet, he was the one who accused Julian of bribery and unauthorized tutoring! And they believed him without considering

in a foul mood, roused from her bed in

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 needed to retrieve the item from Kaitlyn. They had to show their strength to the Grimshaws, or she'd end up married to that Leopold

root, "Give those two a taste of their

sorry, Ms. Abernathy. We

accused of murder? A little 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

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

the precinct lobby, the head of the local