The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Harrison caught the punch without flinching, his grasp firm and unyielding.

Victoria's eyes widened in shock as he soothed her with a seemingly tender voice, "Alright, I won't bring her up. Let's talk about your biological mother instead. You don't seriously believe that Gavin would just hand her over after you've pulled off this stunt, do you?"

His voice was steady as the pressure around Victoria's waist loosened a fraction. "Believe it or not, in the Abernathy family, I'm the only one who can help you and the only one you can trust. Finding your mother on your own is a dead end, Victoria. You need to learn to ask for help."

Victoria's knitted brows relaxed slightly. With a quick movement, she broke free from Harrison's hold and put some distance between them. "What makes you think I can trust you?"

"I won't lie to you; I despise Gavin just as much as you do." Harrison brushed off imaginary dust from his suit and settled back into his seat. "What you said earlier isn't exactly what I had in mind, but it's close enough-say, sixty percent accurate."

Seeing the surprise in Victoria's eyes, Harrison gave a sincere smile and continued, "I know you hate Gavin too. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Surely I don't need to teach you that, Victoria?" He seemed genuinely intent on helping Victoria find out where her mother was.

Doubt flickered in Victoria's heart. She scrutinized Harrison, searching his face for any sign of deceit. But the man's eyes were clear, devoid of any guile or even a hint of remorse.

Perhaps she really could use him to her advantage?

With that thought, Victoria's eyes flickered, and she slowly moved closer to Harrison, working her wrists, "Aren't you afraid I'll spill our conversation to my dad?"

"Gavin won't believe you anyway."

Harrison was confident about his standing with his father-in-law. "He won't believe you, Victoria."

Victoria cursed inwardly-what a showoff!

eyes, a mix of speechlessness and disdain on her face, void of the

and so did Harrison. He leisurely sipped his iced coffee, the ease of his demeanor making

pause, it was she who broke the silence with an

the table to get Harrison's attention, "If

reminded him of the cautious yet utterly naive kitten he used to have. Suppressing the

...

Emerald City.

stepped out of the car, umbrella

by her side, gazing at the endless stretch

revealing the

at the village entrance. Seeing Vivienne, he jogged over

Abernathys live at the far

Leopold and Percival, Matthew led them in. "The nearest house to theirs is a

amusement. "That certainly makes

the car around, and remember not to

and Leopold, and couldn't help but add, "Actually, ruffling some feathers might not be an issue. In the few days I've been here, I've learned that the Abernathys, being newcomers, haven't meshed well with

paused, a bizarre look on his face. "When I was asking around about them, I ran into an Abernathy. The locals even covered for me. It's been days, and the Abernathys haven't noticed anything amiss." Leopold, Vivienne, and Percival exchanged speechless glances.

to feel they weren't shocked enough, Matthew rubbed his nose and continued, "Leopold, you can drive in from behind the mayor's house-the one with the flagpole. It's more discreet and less likely to tip off the Abernathys. They're probably

pointed to a building that stood taller than the rest, with a flag waving proudly above it-visible even on the

black trousers, and canvas shoes standing in the field, hoeing with an air of experience before picking up his tool and heading

weeds in the field were taller than the crops; everywhere else was a sea of gold, but their land was a lush