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.

to the Ellington estate, Vivienne fiddled with a dark agarwood

glanced out the

hand, reached over and gently tapped her,

Abigail remains unclear, but their ultimate goal

out, "The secret to

"Is

straightforward, "Not

leaned in to

of life. If we were to

pursed her lips, looking forward, "You and I think alike, Mr. Wolf. What's the use in chasing after immortality? A person without purpose, even with eternal

home, it was

waiting in the hall. The sight of their car lights made him

they were

saw Cecilia and Nathan Ellington emerging from inside, greeting them in

Vivienne call

first time after the wedding made Cecilia's smile nearly uncontrollable, "Ah, Vivienne's back. Come in, see what delicious dishes I've

been through a lot these past days, she needs

"Let's not let the dishes get cold. We'll have the butler bring in

that

Vivienne to his side, flanked by Cecilia, and Nathan across from her, next to Isolde, who had just scampered down the stairs calling

missing was a place

tapping Cecilia on the shoulder,

your food and don't bother me... Here, Vivienne, have this soup. It's great for your

himself at a loss,

Nathan's seat, "You sit next to Dad. Vivienne's side is reserved

son, who was even jealous over seating arrangements, Cecilia moved to sit opposite, muttering about

The evening proceeded with

family settled into their routine, leaving Percival and Vivienne to spend their first night

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

a playful wink,

through the door, Isolde tiptoed over and whispered,