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?"

taken aback by the man now soaked from head to toe,

potent enough to make an elephant scratch incessantly.

him to toss her into the pond, ensuring that her mother witnessed the entire scene, leaving no room

jumped in

them, scooping Juliette up

from the scare, clung to Vivienne, crying, "Mommy, I was scared. It wasn't on purpose..." Connor took

at him, noticing the rash spreading on his arm, "Are you

Juliette, playing it down, "Must be an allergy to something in the water. It's nothing serious, I'll just need some medication." "I'll leave you

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

suggested using the family's pharmacy for quicker treatment. Connor hesitated, but after a nod from

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

mom to have any private interaction with Connor, pleaded, "Mommy, can you

stay with you.

her go, making one last request, "Can you promise to only get the medicine and not touch Mr. Boyd?" Vivienne paused, her eyes narrowing. Was her daughter

could respond, Juliette "volunteered" an explanation, concerned about the contagious nature

left, skeptical of

now alone with Juliette, couldn't hide his

on Connor before he even entered the

just one

exasperated, cautioned her to be careful not to let their mother find

back to the way Vivienne had looked

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

can step in as

the pharmacy, Vivienne handed it to the butler to

immediately after he