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?"

remained expressionless, opting out of the

seeing no reason to wait, started toddling towards the yard, with

to follow and keep

asked, "Uncle, how's grandpa

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

"By the way,

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

connections with the Perez family. If you think

interested,"

the underlying message, "So, it's him pursuing

"Uncle, I'm not thinking about

were vast, and if it weren't for the

disappearance, she'd taken over his affairs

She was pouring all her

heart had no room for anything else, least

only twenty-five.

planning to spend

Maddox hinted at a deeper

in the sea years ago, though Vivienne refused to believe it

but the truth was laid bare, and denial wasn't

move on, regardless of

you rushing me

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

"Alright then. I'll go check on the kids. Don't overthink, and remember, you can talk to Uncle Maddox about anything,

slightly, watching Maddox walk

mother about taking medicine filled the air, a comforting reminder of

gave a hearty nod