The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 1076

Over the weekend, Connor had just arrived when Isaiah received a message to discreetly send Vivienne away.

As Juliette entered the foyer, she spotted a figure standing there, casting a long shadow towards her. Approaching the man, she tugged gently at his sleeve and softly asked, "Mr. Boyd, could you do me a favor?" Connor crouched down, amused by Juliette's rare "warm" approach, a smile playing on his lips. "What do you need?"

With her eyes sparkling, Juliette pointed towards the backyard, "I want to give Mommy the flower in the middle of the pond. Can you carry me there? I can't reach it by myself."

Connor glanced at the distance, then back at Juliette. "You wait here; I'll fetch it for you."

"No!"

"The flower has to be picked by me to be meaningful for Mommy."

Juliette blocked his way, her face serious. If he went alone to fetch it, it would ruin her entire plan.

Without another word, Connor bent down, lifted her in his arms, and walked towards the backyard.

Upon reaching the center of the pond, Juliette, now thrilled at the sight of the flower, leaned forward, stretching her tiny fingers towards it. Her other hand sneakily sprinkled some "special powder" around the man's neck. Suddenly, Connor felt something was amiss.

Losing his balance for a moment, Juliette seized the opportunity to tumble towards the water.

Just before breaking free from his grip, she yelled towards Isaiah's direction, "Ah, Mommy, help!"

Hearing her, Vivienne rushed over, followed closely by Arthur and Yorick.

To their shock, they saw a figure in the pond tossing Juliette safely to the shore before plunging into the water himself.

As Connor emerged, dripping wet, his first concern was Juliette. "Did you get hurt anywhere?"

man now soaked from

upgraded itching powder was potent enough

plan was for him to toss her into the pond, ensuring that her mother witnessed

jumped

first to reach them, scooping

to Vivienne, crying, "Mommy, I was scared. It wasn't on purpose..." Connor took the blame onto himself

at him, noticing the rash

it down, "Must be an allergy to something in the water. It's nothing serious, I'll just need

condition worsening, "That won't do. If it weren't for you, who knows what might

to fetch new clothes and call for a doctor, while Arthur suggested using the family's pharmacy

wonder if she had inadvertently given someone a chance to get closer to her mom. That wasn't her intention at all! Inside the house, after changing Juliette into dry clothes, Vivienne prepared

with Connor, pleaded, "Mommy,

stay with you. I'll

you promise to only get the medicine and not touch Mr. Boyd?" Vivienne paused, her eyes narrowing. Was

about the contagious nature of Connor's

left, skeptical of Juliette's

couldn't hide

rash on Connor before he even entered the

to try again, "This was just one of many inventions. He won't see what's

careful not to let their

the way Vivienne had looked at her earlier. She stubbornly insisted,

was plotting, she wouldn't let him usurp

he thinks he can step in

from the pharmacy, Vivienne handed

immediately after