The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 1078

The moment Augustine and Sebastian hesitantly poked their heads out, Juliette, with the cunning of a fox, lured them over with candy she had prepared in her pocket. Without warning, she squeezed their cheeks, her joy uncontainable, "Oh, so squishy! Augustine, Sebastian, how can you two be so adorable?"

Maddox stood by, laughing as though he had no part in this, while Augustine and Sebastian could only look towards Vivienne for salvation. "Big sis... Big sis." Vivienne squinted her eyes, "Juliette, what do we say?"

Reluctantly letting go, Juliette pouted, "Got it."

Then, she begrudgingly called them, "Little uncles!"

She couldn't wrap her head around it. They were three years younger than her; why should a five-year-old have to call these toddlers her little uncles?

Maddox stepped in to speak on Juliette's behalf, "However she wants to call them is fine. They're just kids; no need for formalities."

Having someone to keep these two little rascals in line was more than he could ask for.

Juliette's eyes sparkled, "Uncle Maddox is the best. I love Uncle Maddox the most."

Maddox's smile widened, "Whatever Juliette likes, Uncle Maddox will get for you."

Juliette's eyes shimmered, "I don't want anything. Can I just play with the little uncles for a bit?"

Augustine and Sebastian, not yet versed in speech, understood the adults' conversation and widened their eyes in anticipation.

They silently waved at their dad for help, but to no avail; he easily "sold" them out.

"Go play, but don't wander too far."

The boys looked towards Isaiah.

Juliette caught on instantly, "He's my brother. Whose side do you think he'd be on?"

opting out

reason to wait, started toddling towards the yard, with Juliette chasing after them, "You think you

for someone to follow and

asked, "Uncle, how's grandpa

past few days. Grandpa's been quite the handful, getting all cranky. Only Sasha seems to get through to

"By the way, I've heard a bit about you and Connor. Is

"Really, has the Perez family's information network fallen behind? That news should've

family. If

interested," Vivienne stated

message,

"Uncle, I'm not thinking about these

if it weren't for the kids being here, she'd hardly ever

disappearance, she'd taken over

for Mr. Wolf. She was pouring all her resources

for anything

twenty-five. Are

planning to spend

search?" Maddox hinted at a deeper concern, well aware

the sea years ago, though Vivienne refused

around for five years, but the truth was

regardless of the pain of

"Are you rushing me into

his concern, "Uncle just doesn't want to see you headstrong against a dead end, wearing yourself thin for nothing." She bit her lip, looking down, "I

kids. Don't overthink, and remember, you can talk to

watching Maddox walk away before

familial banter between her grandfather and her mother about taking medicine filled the air, a comforting reminder of normalcy amidst the

gave a hearty nod