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

enough to make an

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

jumped

them, scooping Juliette up

shaken from the scare, clung to Vivienne, crying, "Mommy, I was scared. It wasn't on purpose..." Connor took the blame onto himself without hesitation. "It was my fault for not watching

the rash spreading on

It's

it weren't for you, who knows

a doctor, while Arthur suggested using the family's pharmacy for quicker treatment.

her mom. That wasn't

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

"Isaiah will stay with you. I'll be back

"Can you promise to only get the medicine and

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

skeptical of Juliette's

couldn't hide his disbelief, "You said

She had noticed the rash on Connor before he even entered the

was just one of many inventions.

to be careful not to let

had looked at her earlier. She stubbornly

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

if he thinks he can step in

Vivienne handed it

immediately after he took