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

seeing no reason to wait, started toddling towards the yard, with Juliette chasing after them, "You think you can run? Just

someone to follow and

Vivienne asked, "Uncle, how's grandpa

cranky. Only Sasha seems to get through to him. Now

the way, I've heard a bit about

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

speechless, "Uncle Maddox wasn't joking. That man has some connections with the Perez family. If you think he's alright, why not give it a try? Knowing the

not interested,"

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

sighed, "Uncle, I'm not thinking about these things right

and if it weren't for

disappearance, she'd taken over

hadn't ceased their search for Mr. Wolf. She was pouring all her resources

no room for

twenty-five. Are

to spend your

hinted at a deeper concern, well

had found in the sea years ago, though Vivienne refused

around for five years, but the truth

on, regardless of the pain of

paused, "Are you rushing me into marriage,

words, simply expressed his concern, "Uncle just doesn't want to see you headstrong against a dead end, wearing yourself thin for nothing." She

I'll go check on the kids. Don't overthink, and remember, you can talk to

Maddox walk away before heading towards Jasper's

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

a