The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Kenneth, still in the throes of his rebellious phase and not yet graduated from college, held a defiant air even when chided by Richard. With a wrinkled nose and a slap of his phone onto the table, he exclaimed "It's not like I said anything wrong! Even our school's septuagenarian professor knows about yesterday's drama. She looks quite youthful; how could she be out of the loop?!"

"Now, the whole of Veridia knows about Kipling getting probation. She's playing dumb on purpose, clearly has an ulterior motive!"

Kenneth was no stranger to the gossip about the Abernathy and Ellington families, not to mention Gavin's infamous affair, which he had overheard from Aaron Miller and Anna's conversation.

Disdain crossed his face at the mention of Kipling, "Given Kipling's dubious reputation, how could the Abernathy heiress be unaware? Knowing full well he's the brother of the woman who hurt Aunt Holly, and yet she comes asking? What's her angle, trying to plead on his behalf?"

Victoria was taken aback. She had been pondering how to broach the subject without upsetting Richard, and now Kenneth had blurted it out.

Victoria, seldom on the receiving end of such sarcasm, wasn't too put off.

Sitting up straight, she feigned annoyance, "Listen here, kiddo, watch your mouth! So, you think I'm advocating for Kipling, huh? Well, it seems I must prove your accusation right today!"

As she spoke, she grabbed Richard's hand, playing the victim, "Grandpa, I do believe Kipling deserves some leniency. Perhaps, Cousin Keith and Kaitlyn could be persuaded to draft a letter of forgiveness to let him off."

Her words suggested one thing, but her eyes, gleaming with mischief, were clearly taunting Kenneth.

Before Richard could even respond, she continued, "Dad said if they agree to let Kipling off, he'll ensure a generous reward for the Littleton family and have the Abernathys formally apologize to Kaitlyn!" Brady interjected, "Well, at least you said something. But this sounds more like you're throwing a tantrum. I'm not sure Richard will go for it."

He pondered, recalling the recording pen Gavin had sneakily given him, wondering if Gavin Abernathy could discern through the audio that his daughter wasn't seriously pursuing their plot.

Kenneth's eyes bulged in disbelief, "Victoria, have you no shame? Even in a fit of pique, how can you utter such words?!"

Victoria looked puzzled, "I'm merely fulfilling your earlier slander. Whether or not Grandpa agrees is his business, not yours."

does it not concern me? I'm part of the Ellington family too! You, as Aunt Holly's daughter, siding with the Abernathys,

their bickering

gaze towards Victoria, "You've heard it yourself. As Holly's father, I cannot justify actions that would only hurt

younger generation dictate such matters?" Victoria, mouth agape, looked towards Brady, her expression screaming "I tried my best." But Brady, undeterred, seized the

really

hall with Victoria leisurely seated at the head, enjoying a plate of fruit as if the tense reports being delivered had

.ne

Richard's words to Gavin without lifting his gaze, "Yes, Richard said the Ellington family is now under Rèrcival's stewardship. any matters, we should approach him directly. He's

relay the final message, knowing well

before he could decide,

down her fruit plate, "Richard said

for the Abernathy family

for me, of course. He even vowed to

tone, light and provocative,

enough!" Gavin's patience had reached its

made everyone quiver, and when word got out that Victoria had returned from the Ellingtons, Madeline, who came rushing for news, paused

whether to proceed or retreat amidst the fallen autumn

hesitation, her concern for Kipling won

and her high heel clicked

way into the living room in just a

seemed like the umpteenth shattered teacup of the week, thinking to herself that, at Gavin's rate of breaking things, they might actually

deep in thought over the mess