The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Alyssa's eyes blazed with fury, her knuckles white with tension, her chest heaving with barely contained rage. That Karen really had a nerve! To think she could say whatever she pleased!

Arthur was hers and hers alone. No one else stood a chance!

Her face was a mask of icy disdain, "Since you're so keen to challenge me, I won't back down. Let's settle this in the ballroom, in front of all the guests. Do you dare?!"

She couldn't swallow her pride unless she made Karen a public spectacle. Let's see if the Linklaters would still welcome her with open arms after this embarrassment! No one was going to stop her from marrying Arthur. Karen was just the perfect opportunity to make a statement!

Karen lifted her eyelids lazily, a smirk playing at the corner of her mouth, "Ms. Wright, if you're so bothered by seeing me cozy up with Arthur, just say it. Why beat around the bush?" Alyssa hadn't expected Karen to see right through her, her gaze darkening.

From the moment she entered and saw them wrapped in each other's arms, she was green with envy, itching to slap Karen across the face. But she was powerless to do anything! Karen stood up, Arthur's arms suddenly empty, the warmth between them dissipating, fueling Alyssa's fury even more. These two women would never step foot inside the Linklater estate ever again!

"Let's head to the ballroom," Karen said with a teasing smile, leading the way, her voice calm but commanding.

Arthur wrapped his arm around her waist, almost causing a whirlwind as they passed Alyssa and Kate.

Alyssa's mood was stormy all the way to the ballroom, a far cry from her usually demure self, her eyes no longer soft.

As they approached the ballroom, Karen turned around with a light smile, "Ms. Wright, drop the sour face. You were all prim and proper when you came to see me, what happened to that? Your beloved is right beside you, better fix that expression."

"You could never match Kate here; she's always carried herself with grace, something you lack."

Alyssa forced a smile uglier than tears, "I was just startled by a grasshopper on the way here."

retorted, "Stop

ignored them, walking into the ballroom with an air

ever so attentive, adjusted her dress as they entered, making her look every bit

buzzed with excitement. Everyone wanted a moment with Arthur, but he declined all offers, protective of Karen

pushed to the sidelines, frantically

Alyssa, who was more focused on Karen than Arthur, determined not to let Karen escape

Karen to face utter embarrassment in front of

swept over Alyssa, who walked up to join

quieted down, the

voice gentle, Good evening, everyone, I'm

Hawthorn and

competition. Let's see whittle

"Since it's a competition, there must be a winner and a loser. Let's livestream it and let the online audience vote. It'll add an exciting

thinking. If the decision were left to the guests, they might be biased

national audience. Let's see if she'd still

feigned concern, asking Karen, "What do you think, Karen? If you're uncomfortable with this, we can call it off. It's just a family gathering after all. We can keep it lively amongst ourselves." Karen, untroubled, replied with a

clenched her teeth and nodded for

viewership skyrocketing

enough to draw a crowd online, eager to witness a showdown between two ladies of the Rivenwood

comment section exploded with anticipation and curiosity about Karen,

first competition, a