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

month already, and he didn't miss her at

checked his pulse, frowning at

look of inquiry

"Mom, how's

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

at

Specter Healer and a renowned physician, she understood all too

couldn't wake up; he didn't

such cases. As soon as his consciousness decides, waking

see Mr. Wolf awaken

call her Vivienne with

his

distract her from becoming too sentimental, Sasha led

after tomorrow is Uncle Maddox and Willa's engagement party. Grandpa has already arranged a private jet

raised an eyebrow, nearly forgetting about it, "I'll pick a gift for

to be so formal, "We're all family here; no need

not every day Uncle Maddox and Willa make it official. I have to

Vivienne went shopping alone and was back in less

asked, "What did you buy?" Vivienne hid the box behind her, simply stating, "A

the mention of a secret, glancing at the box again "Well, keep your secrets, but don't give them anything too outlandish. Willa is

en

mother's

party full of elders, what could she possibly give that

the day of the

and Sasha arrived at the Perez Homestead in a chauffeured

a small affair, just family, to keep things

staying home with the kids, claiming they couldn't relax not knowing if the

items had been packed into

at the Perez Homestead by noon, they were greeted by an eagerly waiting Jasper, who only brightened upon

couldn't help but look past them, asking, "Vivienne, didn't the kids

glances before

something, while Fredrick and Yuri Perez awkwardly

man, especially since Maddox

forward, linking arms with Jasper to console him, "Dad, the kids are still too young for the wind. We'll bring them over when they're a

men were too attached