The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne stepped out of the backyard, the voice of someone's frustration still echoing behind her.

"That little rascal, does she want to be the death of me? My treasures, meant to be passed down through generations, and she lets those rascals eye them..."

In the living room, Jasper and Percival had just finished a game of chess.

Looking at the narrowly won game on the board, Jasper nodded with a smile, "Not bad at all. You play much better than your grandfather ever did. He always tried to bend the rules, as if he could conjure up every trick in the book."

Percival withdrew his hand, smiling in response, "Grandpa, your skills are unmatched. Not just Granddad, I'm nowhere close either."

Jasper beamed even wider, "You flatter me, boy. If your granddad heard this, he'd accuse you of forgetting your roots."

Vivienne approached just as Jasper stood up, her face beaming with mischief, making him curious about her good fortune.

Before he could ask, Finnian's roar tore through the quiet of the backyard.

"Ah, my decades-old treasures!"

"That little menace, don't you dare run!"

Vivienne raised an eyebrow, pulling Percival towards the exit, "Grandpa, we'll be heading out."

Percival simply chuckled, without asking further.

Jasper, understanding the situation, waved them off and headed towards the commotion in the backyard, intercepting an irate Finnian.

He sighed, "Look at yourself, making such a fuss at your age. You'll become the laughing stock among the kids..."

Finnian, red-faced with anger, pointed at Jasper, "Wouldn't you be upset if your decades-old collections were stolen?"

Jasper retorted with undisguised pride, "Depends on who takes them. If Vivienne wants them, not just one, I'd gladly give her a whole warehouse!"

Finnian took a deep breath, "Generous, you are. But it's my treasures she took..."

Jasper scoffed, "Considering our ties, you her mentor and her growing up by your side, not to mention you've never married, all your possessions would end up hers anyway. What's the rush?" Finnian was speechless.

Elsewhere.

Vivienne fiddled with a dark agarwood bracelet she had snatched from Finnian, pondering over his

glanced out the window

over and gently

unclear, but their ultimate goal isn't too hard

out, "The secret to

slyly, "Is

straightforward, "Not at

in to ask

we were to extend

looking forward, "You and I think alike, Mr. Wolf. What's the use in chasing after immortality? A person

they arrived home,

The sight of their car

they were greeted by Richard,

saw Cecilia and Nathan Ellington emerging from inside, greeting

Vivienne call

uncontrollable, "Ah, Vivienne's back. Come in, see what delicious dishes

in agreement, "Vivienne's been through a lot these

let the dishes get cold. We'll have the butler bring in

himself that he had merely gotten married, not adopted

head seat, with Vivienne to his side, flanked by Cecilia, and Nathan across from her, next to Isolde, who

missing was

tapping Cecilia on

now? Eat your food and don't bother me... Here, Vivienne, have this soup. It's

a loss, "Mom,

gestured towards Nathan's seat, "You sit

look at her son, who was even jealous over seating arrangements,

The evening proceeded with

the family settled into their routine, leaving Percival and Vivienne to spend their first night back at the Ellington estate in a room meticulously prepared on the second floor. The tranquility was briefly interrupted by the soft creak of their bedroom

head, she caught sight of Isolde peeking through the barely opened

playful wink, Vivienne beckoned

through the door, Isolde tiptoed over and whispered,