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.

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 brow

in silence, absorbing every word, before finally speaking up,

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

"Havenwood?"

smiling, "Don't worry. What's done is

the difficulty 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 a scandal involving a teacher at Seafield High

case involving Julian and Sadie.

had made years ago, which turned out to be the best one. Without Vivienne, she

said nothing, simply patting Kaitlyn's hand

one thing; allegations of indecency are another, especially after so much time has passed. Any surveillance from the old

"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. During that time, Sadie, Tyler, and I tried everything to appeal, but it was

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 afford his education. Yet, he was the one who accused Julian of bribery and unauthorized tutoring!

Sophie was in a foul mood, roused from her bed in the dead of

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 needed to retrieve the item from Kaitlyn. They

at the thought, sparing another contemptuous glance at the couple behind bars before a venomous plot took root, "Give those

to the officers, they hesitated, "I'm sorry, Ms. Abernathy.

interrogation is nothing new. Are you saying you've

mosquitoes. Surely, that's not beyond your capabilities?" The two old geezers looked like a strong breeze could knock them over,

at the precinct lobby, the head of the local Education Bureau was