The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne's back stiffened, her usually delicate face now as dark as a thundercloud, pitch black and stormy.

Percival barely suppressed a smirk.

When had the so-called "War God" become such a fool?

Arthur: "Hey, kid, watch your mouth. I am your future father-in-law. Be careful, or I might not let her marry you!"

Percival: "Do you really think you hold that much sway in my lady's heart?"

Arthur: ...

Stabbed in the heart!

Jasper, on the other hand, didn't catch the tension between Vivienne and Percival. He was distracted by an almost maniacal voice growing louder outside, approaching rapidly.

"When did Arthur arrive? What's he doing here?" Jasper wondered aloud.

The Perez and the Linklater families were acquaintances, but barely interacted.

Their most significant connection was through Yorick, who had a slight acquaintance with a few of the Perez sons. Arthur, known far and wide for his military exploits as the "War God" of Veridia, was respected by the Perez family, though they rarely saw him, given his duties.

"Why has Arthur come to the Perez household now? And in such a hurry?" Jasper pondered.

As Jasper stood there, puzzled, Arthur approached, hands clasped in apology, "Dad! Sorry I'm late! I'll make it up to the family, I promise!"

Jasper, "?!"

Maddox, Yuri, and Luke Perez emerged, equally baffled. "What's going on?"

calling Jasper "Dad"? Was he

sleepwalking "War God" could spell

me 'Dad'?" "While I'd love to have a 'War God' for a son, I'm not about to steal someone else's, especially not my daughter's mentor's son. That's completely off-limits!" Arthur, dead

The Perez brothers, "?!"

Vivienne remained expressionless.

the bridge

turned

pause, Jasper finally managed, "This is big news! Think it through,

was about to respond when Jasper cut him off, "If you're sure, we can head

"War God" as his son! Jasper wouldn't dream of letting such an opportunity

at Jasper,

is just a phone call away," Arthur, now beaming, said, "Since you've accepted me as

the joy of gaining a "War God" son, was

longer. I need to give her and our daughter their due recognition. They've suffered because of my absence,

Arthur continued, "Originally, I wanted it sooner, but the soothsayer advised against it. Ten days from now is auspicious for marriage. Don't worry about the dowry; I'm offering ten billion dollars, ten houses, ten luxury cars, ten plots in Rivenwood suburb, a hundred sets of jewelry, a hundred outfits, and I'm even willing to take your family name

we won't need one. Whatever she wants, I'll provide." Percival,

Damn!

the bar high. How could he compete with

to up his game, perhaps doubling what the "War God" offered, but his finances were tied up in

to

the Grimshaw

reeling

heard something even more

Vivienne remained stoic.

Linklater household, Yorick was having a breakdown in

arriving late and for all the hardships