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?"

expressionless, opting out of

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

signaled for someone to follow and keep an eye

asked, "Uncle, how's grandpa

handling him these past few days. Grandpa's been quite the handful, getting all cranky. Only Sasha seems to get through to him. Now that he's feeling a bit better, he's refusing his medication." Vivienne pondered for a moment, "Grandpa

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

family's information network fallen behind? That news should've

has some connections with the Perez family. If you think he's alright, why not give

not interested,"

underlying message, "So,

"Uncle, I'm not thinking about these

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

taken over his affairs both domestically

search for Mr. Wolf. She was pouring all her resources into the search, clinging to any sliver of

no room for anything else, least of

only twenty-five.

spend your life

Maddox hinted at a deeper concern, well aware

found in the sea years ago,

was tiptoed around for five years, but the truth

move on, regardless of

paused, "Are you rushing me

a loss for words, simply expressed his concern, "Uncle just doesn't want to see you headstrong against a dead end, wearing

then. I'll go check on the kids. Don't overthink,

walk away before heading towards Jasper's

taking medicine filled the air, a

a hearty