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.

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

word, before finally speaking up, "What's the girl's name? Is she

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

"Havenwood?"

heard that name in ages. She paused for a moment before reassuringly smiling, "Don't worry. What's done is done,

for a family in Havenwood, daughter named Cassidy, moved there five years ago from Rivenwood, left because of a scandal involving a teacher at

ending the call, she texted Draven, [Dig into the bribery case involving Julian and Sadie. I want details, as much

most impulsive decision she had made years ago, which turned out to be the

nothing, simply patting Kaitlyn's hand

another, especially after so much time has passed. Any surveillance from the old office

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

"What about the

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

in the local precinct, Sophie was in a foul mood,

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

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

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

new. Are you saying you've never done that before?" The officers were in

manicured finger pointing accusingly, "Then at least turn 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

head of the local