The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Hailey's keen gaze swept through every member of the Linklater family, pausing only when she spotted Sasha. Her sharp eyes narrowed slightly, and she pointed at Sasha, "And who might you be in the Linklater family? I don't recall ever seeing you before."

Before Sasha could respond, Yorick interjected, "This is Sasha, the daughter of the Perez family from Sea City and Arthur's fiancée, my future daughter-in-law."

Hailey pondered for a moment, familiar with the Perez family of Sea City, and didn't dwell on it. With a frown, she asked, "So, you're from the Perez family. Are you and Arthur married then? How come you're living here before getting married?"

Arthur's expression darkened, "She's staying with the Linklater family. Do you have a problem with that, Aunt?"

Everyone in the Linklater family tended to give Hailey some respect, except Arthur.

He had never liked this aunt of his.

If it weren't for his grandfather's sake, he wouldn't have bothered greeting her today.

And with his wedding to Sasha on the horizon, he didn't want any unpleasantness to make things difficult for Sasha.

Hailey frowned, her tone displeased, "Arthur, what's this? As your aunt, can't I ask about your bride-to-be?"

Arthur replied coolly, "You can ask, but don't interfere!"

It was a clear warning to Hailey.

Narrowing her eyes, Hailey then turned to Sasha, a cryptic gleam flashing in her gaze.

Nodding slightly, she didn't pursue further, "I heard you have a daughter? I haven't seen her around. Hasn't she moved in with the Linklater family?" This remark was somewhat intriguing.

Not knowing who Sasha was, but aware that Sasha and Arthur had a daughter!

Arthur and Sasha exchanged a glance, smiling but remaining silent.

Dracon watched the scene with schadenfreude.

his brother's family, while Sasha might escape Hailey's meddling, Vivienne wouldn't be so

There will be plenty of time to meet her," Yorick suddenly said. Though advanced in years, Yorick wasn't oblivious, especially regarding the incident where Dracon drugged him; that didn't mean he was foolish. Dracon was

was

her way in the household, and he had previously held his tongue out of respect for her

Vivienne and Sasha, he wouldn't stand

couldn't help but roll his eyes when unnoticed; the old man was clearly biased, always siding with his brother's family no matter what! Despite Yorick's elaborate explanation, Hailey's

hadn't heard

Vivienne off easily - it was time someone put that little

with a child? At your age, you should be enjoying life, not meddling in matters that

saying you're not

my

you respond with such hostility. As a younger member of the family, shouldn't she greet her elder? It's a significant event; her not showing up is

Hailey continued, "She's a Linklater, representing our family's image. Her lack

the family means she should be properly disciplined. The prosperity of the Linklater family should not be tarnished

I haven't even had the heart to scold her yet, and

his eyelids slightly,

warm nor cold,

daughter sleeping in could ruin that, then

glanced at Arthur, a smile playing on her

How dashing!

been a while since she'd seen

man

deepening as she slowly

her own home. If it means the Linklater family falls,

a

to be so

only Vivienne was a child of their blood. Yorick and his elder brother had always

uninterested in family affairs, the future leadership seemed

that

sake of the Linklater estate. Hand it over to someone else on a

into laughter upon hearing this, turning to Hailey, "Don't mind him, Hailey. Arthur's just got that kind of temper. He's finally found