The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Danielle twirled around in the garden, his face illuminated by the soft glow of the moonlight. He reached out his hands, trying to catch the light, a big grin spreading across his face.

Karen and Arthur, from a little distance away, watched the scene unfold with tender smiles. Seeing Danielle so happy warmed their hearts.

As the evening drew to a close and the fireflies began to dwindle, a tired Danielle wobbled over to Karen, his little legs barely keeping up. In his sweet, childlike voice, he reached out his hands and said, "Auntie Karen, uppy please?"

Karen's heart melted at the request, vivid memories of her own daughter, Vivienne, asking for the same thing when she was younger. With a gentle smile, she scooped Danielle into her arms. "It's getting late, sweetie. Your family is waiting in the hall. The fireflies have all gone to bed; maybe we should too."

Danielle's soft hands gently touched Karen's face. "Thank you, Auntie Karen, for showing me the fireflies. Can we play together again?"

How could Karen resist such a request? "Of course, but it's past your bedtime. You need to get some sleep so you can grow big and strong. Otherwise, you won't be able to hold even a small shovel!" Danielle nodded obediently, his admiration for Karen evident.

Upon entering the hall, Karen was greeted by two of the Wright family's staff, who were visibly relieved to see Danielle safe and sound.

"Master Danielle, you had us worried sick wandering off like that," one of them scolded gently.

informed, sir. The lord

reassured them, "Little champ, I'll leave you in

worry, I had a lot

were relieved to see him unharmed and happy. They quickly reported back to the Wright family, their anxiety finally

deeply, "Thank you for looking after our young master. We'd

chuckled, "No thanks needed. It's late; you

they left, Danielle waved goodbye, "Auntie Karen, I'll come to play

back, her heart

Karen took the stage. "Thank you all for joining us at my daughter's coming-of-age celebration. It's been a memorable day. With that, our evening comes to a close." Dressed simply yet elegantly, Karen's grace was undeniable, earning her

match for the War

the laughter and

is the chosen

revealing Karen's true mentorship under him at the Vanguard Agency, emphasizing her merits over her

hall, "Karen is my biological daughter, Sasha Perez! Lost to us years ago, but

needed no family name to stand out. Yet, the revelation of