The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Yorick shot him a glare, "You always have too much to say!"

"Come on, help me soothe the kids."

At the mention of the kids, Arthur instantly caved.

It was a good thing there were two of them; otherwise, he, as their grandad, wouldn't even have a fighting chance against their own dad. Vivienne was already immune to their antics.

Out of sight, out of mind.

At least for now, she could play the role of a hands-off manager.

She turned to Arthur, "Dad, where's Mom?"

Arthur awkwardly held one of the kids in his arms, too nervous to even glance around freely, and just jerked his chin towards the back.

"She's in the north wing, giving that lad one last round of acupuncture, hoping to stimulate his nerves. If all goes well, we should see some reaction in a couple of days." Vivienne checked on the kids to make sure they were truly sleepy before she left.

On her way, Leopold called, "Vivienne, Mr. Watson has heard the news and asked me to pass on a message."

Vivienne hummed as she walked, signaling him to continue.

"He said the Watson family owes you one. Just say the word if you need anything."

"Okay."

After hanging up, Vivienne knew the weight of a favor from the Watson family.

But, there was no need for it now.

She'd save it for when the time came.

Entering the room, Sasha was in the middle of an acupuncture session.

Vivienne quietly took a seat nearby.

Soon, she was sweating from the warmth.

Ever since Mr. Wolf had been brought to the Linklater family's care, the room's temperature was kept slightly higher to maintain his normal body heat. Now that spring was here, just sitting made her feel overheated.

Mr. Wolf

it been a month already, and he didn't miss

while, Sasha finished her session and checked his pulse, frowning at Percival's body that

of inquiry crossed her

approached, "Mom, how's

and stated frankly, "His internal injuries are all healed, but when he'll wake up is up

frowned at her

renowned physician, she understood all

Mr. Wolf couldn't

right through Vivienne's thoughts and patted her shoulder, "Don't overthink it. It's common in such cases. As soon as his consciousness decides, waking up will happen in a

see Mr. Wolf

her Vivienne

feel his

her from becoming too sentimental,

Maddox and Willa's engagement party. Grandpa has already arranged a private

it, "I'll pick a gift for Uncle Maddox

suggested she didn't need to be so formal, "We're all family here; no need

every day Uncle Maddox and Willa make it official. I

went shopping alone and was back in

about the unmarked box in her hands, asked, "What did you buy?"

box again "Well, keep your secrets, but don't give them anything too outlandish. Willa is

en

mother's imagination. Willa indeed wouldn't

mother realize, at an engagement party full of elders, what could she possibly

day of the

at the Perez Homestead in a

small affair, just family,

had insisted on staying home with the kids, claiming they couldn't relax

items had been packed into the car in

by an eagerly waiting Jasper, who only brightened upon seeing his daughter

look past them, asking, "Vivienne,

Vivienne exchanged glances before focusing on Jasper's sons beside

while Fredrick and Yuri Perez

important, and nobody wanted to upset the old man, especially since Maddox would

with Jasper to console him, "Dad, the kids are still too young for the wind. We'll bring them

the two men