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.

they say... the girl who accused Julian... she jumped from her building and took her life. Her parents think it's Julian's fault, so... so they

speaking up, "What's

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

"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

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

case involving Julian and Sadie. I want details, as much

work?" Kaitlyn watched 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 the Abernathy

simply patting Kaitlyn's

especially after so much time has

even bother investigating. They just took her word for

switched gears, "What

clear and bright, were tinged with resentment as 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

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

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

before a venomous plot took root, "Give those two a taste of their own medicine." Lurking in the shadows, she was out

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

during interrogation is nothing new. Are you saying you've never

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

the precinct lobby, the head of the local Education Bureau was still comforting the