The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

"Sophie, watch your tongue," Harrison chastised with a frosty tone, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife. "Victoria and Kaitlyn are like oil and water; how could she ever lift a finger to help her? You're trying to smear her name with nothing but empty accusations-it's completely out of line!"

Victoria was taken aback by Harrison's unexpected defense. She glanced at him, her eyes revealing a flicker of surprise but void of any real emotion.

She thought back to their past dealings, a shadow crossing her expression, as she found a seat next to Harrison. "Sophie, I'm beginning to question if you have any sense at all. After all I've done for this family do you really think I'd sabotage Kaitlyn? Do you take me for a fool? Helping her would be like shooting myself in the foot!

And let me remind you, it's none of a bastard child's business to meddle in my affairs! You'd best mind your words. Your eagerness to pin this on someone else only betrays your own guilt."

The couple was a rare spectacle, harmoniously united in rebuke.

Sophie found herself at a loss for words, nervously twisting her handkerchief, unsure how to counter.

Madeline stood beside Gavin, internally cursing the fool. She caught Gavin's suspicious gaze and blinked back tears, "Gavin, did you hear what Victoria just said? Despite everything, Sophie is her sister. How could she accuse her like that? She's still so young and hardly knows Kaitlyn. How could she be involved in this mess?"

Madeline's body wilted, leaning into Gavin for support, "Besides, every night the estate is guarded by professionals. With Sophie's limited skills, she couldn't possibly match them."

"Yes, Dad," Sophie added reluctantly, eager to clear her name. "You know I'm not exactly a martial arts expert. But my sister, and her bodyguard-they're the real deal in the Abernathy family." Harrison interjected, "Yet, the guards from last night didn't report seeing Victoria. And Seaton, skilled as he may be, couldn't possibly take on several seasoned fighters at once."

Victoria, growing tired of the back-and-forth with Sophie, pulled Harrison aside, "Why bother arguing with her? She can barely hold her own in a sparring session, let alone gauge the combat skills of our family.

"Sister..."

"Enough!"

his hand on the table, "Silence, all of you! I will get to the bottom of this! Until then, no one leaves the Abernathy estate unless absolutely necessary!" His command was final, brooking no

in frustration, but before

to the side, Sophie tugged at Madeline's sleeve, thinking

gently pushed Sophie's hand away,

estate was silent. Madeline lay curled up in Gavin's

on his chest after their intimate moment, Gavin's eyes half-closed

silently, her hesitance showing as

turned to her, taking her hand, "Something on your mind?" Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh

down, biting her lip demurely, her youthful coyness surprisingly evident. Her eyes, brimming with water, sought his, "I know it's not the best timing, but you promised we'd start

considered her, curiosity in his gaze, "I thought you weren't too keen on the

quickly recovered, playfully nudging Gavin, "I simply hadn't

some digging. The Sterling family may not be as prominent as the Ellingtons, but they have a certain standing in Rivenwood. And their son-he's quite the catch, a perfect match

laced with seduction, left Gavin momentarily entranced as he pulled her close. Yet his eyes betrayed no desire, "I initially wanted Sophie to mingle with the Sterlings for the sake of that recipe.

sitting up, "You heartless man! Using our daughter as a pawn for your own gains, and now you

You promised me, and you can't back out now. At the very least, let the young ones meet.

grip, contemplating the next move in the high-stakes game that mingled family interests and personal

an alliance with the Sterling family, it was because of their close ties to the Ellingtons. I thought maybe Sophie could leverage that to our advantage. I never really intended to marry her off. Besides, think about it, the Ellingtons