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.

building and took her life. Her parents think it's Julian's fault, so... so they called the cops

finally speaking up,

shaky, "Her name is Cassidy. After the incident, I heard her family

"Havenwood?"

heard that name in ages. She paused for a moment before reassuringly smiling, "Don't worry. What's done is done, and it's high time we closed this

but Vivienne had already turned away, dialing on her cell phone, "Check for a family in

the bribery case involving Julian and Sadie.

with gratitude for the most impulsive decision she had made years ago, which turned

patting Kaitlyn's hand to

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 who can vouch for your

head, "No. Once Cassidy pointed her finger at Julian, those people didn't even bother investigating. They just took her word for it. Julian wasn't jailed, but he was detained for weeks.

wasn't surprised and switched gears, "What about the bribery case? Who accused

her teeth, "Who else but that ungrateful brat? Without Julian's financial support, he wouldn't have been able to afford his education. Yet, he was the one who accused Julian of bribery and unauthorized tutoring! And they

foul mood, roused from her bed in the dead

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

contemptuous glance at the couple behind bars before a venomous plot took root, "Give those two a taste of their own

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

expression darkened, "What do you mean you can't? Aren't they 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 rolling

down 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

the precinct lobby, the head of the local