The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Yorick sat at the head of the table, with space for four on one side. Arthur and Sasha, along with Percival and Vivienne, naturally chose to sit together, leaving the four seats on the opposite side momentarily empty.

Before long, Dracon and Hector Linklater entered together, even Hector, the seldom-seen youngest Linklater, had made it back for dinner tonight.

Vivienne's gaze landed on Dracon subtly. Her sources had recently informed her that Dracon had been busy searching for something outside. She was quite curious about what Dracon was looking for and whether he would find it. She wondered if Abigail would be dragged into this.

As soon as Dracon entered, he nervously chuckled, "Bro, Dad, I just bumped into our youngest as soon as I walked in. What a coincidence."

Yorick responded with a heavy silence, "Let's all sit down. Call Hailey down, let's have dinner together."

Hailey descended the stairs gracefully, taking her seat to Yorick's right. Her piercing gaze swept across each member of the Linklater family. Upon noticing Percival, her eyebrows furrowed, creating deep lines on her face, her voice low and displeased, "This is a family dinner, and the first meal I have upon returning, and there's a stranger among us."

Her comment instantly quieted the atmosphere. Vivienne's eyes shot a chilly glance, as sharp as a knife, "Let me introduce, Percival, my husband."

This was the first time Vivienne had publicly referred to Percival as her husband instead of Mr. Wolf. A simple title, which she never thought much of, but if someone was looking for trouble, she wasn't going to indulge them.

Hailey scoffed indifferently, her gaze darkening as she looked at Vivienne, "You rush to his defense with just one word from me. If the Linklater family ever faces trouble, are you going to side with him completely?"

"Enough!" Yorick's voice interrupted, "I gathered you all for a meal, not to argue. Percival and Vivienne are married; they're family now. And there's another important matter. I'm planning to set a date this week for Arthur and Sasha's wedding!"

every member of the Linklater

Arthur downed his drink in one go, "That's my brother!" Dracon, feeling awkward as Arthur's words seemed to exclude him, tried to dispel his irritation by also standing and toasting Arthur. Arthur reciprocated with a cheerful drink, while Sasha looked on with

Mr. Wolf and I

concern, "When did you

brisket, replied vaguely, "We discovered it tonight. The news is still under wraps. We don't know if it's the

bite of chicken, "It's unclear for now. We might need to check if

thinking. Mom, be careful out

concerned about Dracon, who suddenly felt nauseous at the conversation. Were Vivienne and Sasha doing this on

looking at the feast

towards his wife and daughter, Arthur's mood soured, "Bro, is there something wrong with the

managed to stammer, "No... I was

forced down his nausea, munching on some greens and washing it down with

that? Why blame Dracon?" Arthur raised an

shrank back, silently agreeing, feeling outmatched with Arthur's

squabbles, changed the subject, "Arthur, have

the mention, replied for Arthur, "Dad, we've almost decided. I really love the dress Arthur

sorted out as soon as possible.