The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Gavin glanced at the bruise beneath his eye, so faint it was almost invisible.

A flicker of disdain crossed his eyes, but for Madeline's sake, he tempered his expression. "What's the rush? As long as you all stick to your story and don't budge on Julian's harassment charges, I can't believe Vivienne, that little tramp, has any chance of overturning the case!"

"But what about the bribery allegations from before..." Kipling wanted to say that since they'd filed charges, they'd surely not focus only on the hardest to prove. Back in the day, to climb the ladder, he had done quite a few things to undermine Julian. If all that came to light, who would believe his judgment?

Gavin waved his hand dismissively, as if such concerns were trivial. "You took bribes? As if Vivienne's people are clean? That country girl from nowhere, how does she have the clout to sue you?"

Kipling's eyes lit up with understanding at the implied message. He slapped his thigh, "Right! How does Vivienne have the nerve? It must be her man behind her! Gavin, I know what to do now. Don't worry, this time, I won't let Kaitlyn and Vivienne get away with it!"

Gavin nodded with satisfaction, "Then get to it. And don't mess it up."

Kaitlyn, Vivienne. You really think that by handing over the secret recipe, you'll be worry-free?!

Just wait. The real show is yet to come!

Watching Kipling's eager departure, Gavin dusted off his jacket and stood to leave.

Unnoticed by all, two figures had been standing in the most hidden corner of the side hall the entire time. Victoria only emerged from the shadows once the room cleared.

Looking in the direction Kipling had left, then at Gavin's retreating figure, she said with a mix of mockery and wistfulness, "Vivienne really does have some talent, pushing Gavin to this point. The old man's truly a waste of space!"

Seaton dared not speak; lately, Victoria seemed to have less and less restraint in her speech. She'd just had a spat with Harrison, and now she was insinuating against Gavin. She was practically declaring war on him without saying it outright!

Victoria didn't expect Seaton to say anything. After venting, she remembered the task at hand, "Did you find what I asked for?"

"Miss, everything you requested is on this flash drive." Seaton instantly became serious. He handed the silver flash drive to Victoria.

it in her hand for a moment before pocketing it, "This should make things interesting. Vivienne had better not disappoint me." Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ FindNøvᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ

asked, "Miss, about earlier-should we report to

no longer surprised by any of her actions. After all, anyone capable of desecrating her own

Seaton's internal commentary, Victoria waved him off, "No need. Vivienne surely knows already. Just make sure our

matters to attend to and couldn't afford to be exposed because

Seaton bowed, "Understood."

conversation remained

Kipling stormed out of the Abernathy estate and immediately

they discussed was known

trial began

and in the courtroom, Jerry laid out one

weak, yet each point was crafted to steer the judge's thoughts

Tobin lied, and it's normal for my client to be unable to discern the truth and

wasn't worried;

one's own and being coerced to lie. Kipting, to entrap Julian, bribed the then-impoverished Tobin with a thousand dollars and a year's college tuition to slander Julian for taking bribes. Here's the receipt

the years, Tobin had always felt guilty about what he had done to Julian,

the passage of time, the writing on it was still clear and legible, and the court had no shortage of experts to verify

confirmed beyond doubt that the note was

looked solemnly at Kipling's side, "The plaintiff's evidence is valid. Defendants, do

hadn't expected Tobin to

Tobin was no longer the vulnerable kid he once manipulated, meeting his

Kipling's lawyer