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 head to toe, instinctively shook

potent enough to make an elephant scratch incessantly. How did

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

jumped in

to reach them, scooping Juliette up with a frown. "Are

scare, clung to Vivienne, crying, "Mommy, I was scared. It wasn't on purpose..." Connor took the blame onto himself without hesitation. "It was

at him, noticing the rash spreading

at his arm, then at Juliette, playing it down, "Must be an allergy to something in the water. It's nothing serious, I'll just

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

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 from Vivienne, he

but wonder if she had inadvertently given someone a chance to get closer to her mom. That wasn't her intention at all!

any private interaction with Connor, pleaded, "Mommy, can

will stay

to only get the medicine

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

left, skeptical of Juliette's

with Juliette, couldn't hide his

he even entered the water, a clear sign her itching powder had worked. Yet, he hadn't exposed

"This was just one of many inventions.

be careful not to let their mother

had looked at her earlier. She stubbornly insisted, "No

plotting, she wouldn't let him usurp

thinks he can step in

medication from the pharmacy, Vivienne handed it to the butler to

immediately after he