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

was serious. A sleepwalking "War

'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

The Perez brothers, "?!"

Vivienne remained expressionless.

the bridge of

turned exceedingly

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

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

wouldn't dream

glanced at

that hassle. With all I've done for the country, changing my name and transferring households is just a phone call away," Arthur,

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

longer. I need to give her and our daughter

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

the bride's dowry, we won't need one. Whatever she wants,

Damn!

bar high. How

what the "War God" offered, but his

to turn to Fariana Isle for a quick

the Grimshaw

Jasper was reeling from Arthur's

were stunned, having heard something even more

Vivienne remained stoic.

back at the Linklater household, Yorick was

all the