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?"

Jasper "Dad"? Was

A sleepwalking "War God" could

into you, calling 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 serious, offered, "Dad, a son-in-law is as good as a son. If you wish, I'll even change my last name to South! I'll be Arthur South from now on!" Jasper,

The Perez brothers, "?!"

Vivienne remained expressionless.

the bridge of

turned exceedingly

pause, Jasper finally managed, "This is big news!

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

wouldn't dream of letting such an

glanced at Jasper,

country, changing my name and transferring households is just a phone call

basking in the joy of gaining a "War God" son, was unprepared for Arthur's

twenty years. It's time to make it right. She's still unconscious, which isn't ideal for a wedding, but I can't wait any longer. I need to give her and our daughter their due recognition. They've suffered because

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 if it pleases

for the bride's dowry, we won't need

Damn!

the bar high. How could he compete

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

turn to Fariana Isle for

Thomas, dealing with the Grimshaw family's fallout, sensed trouble

reeling from Arthur's

stunned, having heard something even more shocking than Arthur

Vivienne remained stoic.

at the Linklater household, Yorick was having a

turned to Vivienne, "My daughter, I'm sorry for arriving late and for all the hardships you and your mother have endured. Forgive me. With me here, no one will