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?"

now soaked from head to toe,

potent enough

him to toss her into the pond, ensuring that her mother

jumped in

reach them, scooping Juliette up with a

clung to Vivienne, crying, "Mommy, I was scared. It

him, noticing the rash spreading on his arm,

it down, "Must be an allergy to something in the water. It's nothing

upon seeing Connor's condition worsening, "That won't do. If it weren't for you, who knows what might have happened

butler to fetch new clothes and call for a doctor, while Arthur suggested using the family's pharmacy for quicker treatment. Connor hesitated, but after a nod

That wasn't her intention at all! Inside the house, after changing Juliette into

to have any private interaction with Connor, pleaded, "Mommy, can you not go? I need

stay

go, making one last request, "Can you promise to only get the medicine and not touch Mr. Boyd?" Vivienne

respond, Juliette "volunteered" an explanation, concerned about the contagious nature of Connor's rash, recalling

skeptical of Juliette's

couldn't hide

equally puzzled. She had noticed the rash on Connor before he even entered the water, a clear sign her itching powder had

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

be careful not to let their

Vivienne had looked at her earlier. She stubbornly

scheme that man was plotting, she wouldn't let him usurp her dad's

thinks he can step in as

Vivienne handed it to

worked immediately after he