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.

she jumped from her building and took her life. Her parents think it's Julian's

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

I heard her family

"Havenwood?"

in ages. She paused for a moment before reassuringly smiling, "Don't

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

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

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

said nothing, simply patting Kaitlyn's hand

after so much time has passed. Any surveillance from the old office would

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. During that time, Sadie, Tyler, and I

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

eyes, 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 bribery and unauthorized tutoring! And they believed him without considering that his family

in the local precinct, Sophie was in a foul

peacefully, and their clothes were worth less than a mere fraction of her blouse. But before leaving the

at the couple behind bars before a venomous plot took root, "Give those two a taste of their own medicine." Lurking in the shadows, she was out of Julian and Sadie's sight

"I'm sorry, Ms. Abernathy.

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 their eyes

patience was wearing thin, her 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

her group arrived at the precinct lobby, the head of the local Education Bureau was