The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The next day.

"Ah!"

A startled cry echoed through the Linklater household.

Isaiah was the first to dash out, only to see Juliette holding a note, looking utterly dumbstruck. "What happened?" he asked.

Juliette turned around, handing the note to Isaiah with a complicated expression. "Mom's left us to go on a retreat!"

Isaiah, "A retreat?"

Juliette was fuming. "Yes! That's exactly what mom wrote. She also told us to get on good terms with Mr. Boyd, to treat him like he's our real dad!"

As the words left her mouth, Yorick, Arthur, and Sasha entered the room.

Yorick, anxious, asked, "Juliette, why did you scream so loud? What's happened?"

Juliette threw herself into Yorick's arms, "Grandpa, mom doesn't want us anymore. She said she's going on a retreat with no set return date!"

Yorick was stunned. He turned to Arthur and Sasha, "Vivienne's gone on a retreat? Did she mention anything to you guys before this?"

Arthur was equally perplexed. "She didn't tell me anything."

He then turned to Sasha, "Did she tell you?"

Sasha shook her head. "No."

"What's with this sudden retreat, then?" Arthur's expression grew serious. "Could something have happened?"

Over the years, he had gradually stepped back from the forefront, letting Vivienne handle most things.

They hadn't inquired much about Vivienne's work or why she would suddenly decide to go on a retreat, whether it was work-related or something else.

what she's doing. If she wants to go on a

at Sasha but didn't

Don't be upset. Why don't you two visit your grandparents in the meantime? I doubt your mom has told them yet." Juliette and Isaiah exchanged looks and

had left, Juliette turned to Isaiah. "What do we do now? Mom's

a moment before saying, "Let's try to get on

Juliette's eyes widened. "And you

rolled his eyes. "Who

we should get on Mr. Boyd's good

do you think I want to get on his good side? And why

moment before her eyes lit up. "I overheard mom talking with Grandpa Finnian yesterday. He's been pretending to go on retreats these past years, but he hasn't actually been. He's been investigating

"So..."

finish her thought, Isaiah interjected, "Mom's

Juliette chuckled, "Right!"

Harbor City. Luck Village.

along a rugged path, surrounded by

some distance, the man looked at his companion, his lips pressed together in

mist, making it difficult to see far. Her expression

entering like

Logan Wood was concerned. Though

if I can't diagnose Mr. Ellington's condition

talented students from her time teaching at Rivenwood High,

the college entrance exams, Logan had managed to get into Rivenwood University. Although it wasn't as prestigious as some

the girl he admired, who was also studying medicine. Initially,

the girl he cherished, Faye, was his

into a top

design and

was a secret. Ever since Vivienne cured her facial

a doctor

people heal.

approached Vivienne, wishing to become her apprentice, but was initially turned