The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Juliet was baffled by the questioning, "Why do you care what my mom does?"

"I didn't mean it like that," Floyd waved his hands, trying to explain himself, "It's just, it's just..."

He wasn't sure if he could really say what was on his mind, especially considering the state he was in. After all, his dad had strictly forbidden him from meddling with or even asking about certain family affairs. If he were to spill the beans to Vivienne, his dad would have a fit.

But to Floyd, Vivienne had been a benefactor. In his eyes, her family's arrival had filled the void of affection that had been missing in his life for years.

He was utterly lost.

Watching Floyd's internal struggle, Juliet's patience was wearing thin, "If you don't want to talk about it, fine. I didn't want to hear it anyway!"

As she brushed past Floyd to leave, she muttered under her breath, "Good thing you didn't mess up those items, or my mom's efforts would have been for nothing."

Floyd caught the murmur, his lips tightening as he watched Juliet walk away, his hand slowly clenching at his side.

Isaiah, hidden in a corner of the hallway, witnessed the entire exchange and sent the video he'd captured to Percival. "Evidence."

Percival's lips twitched upon reading his son's message.

What did that mean? Couldn't he be more explicit?

As he shared this with Vivienne, she couldn't help but chuckle at Percival's complaint.

"Don't forget who his father is. He's just like you. Are you really complaining about yourself now?"

"Me? I've never been like that with you."

Vivienne thought about it and realized it was true; the father and son were indeed cut from the same cloth.

just like that with you. He's like that with

up and watched the video of Floyd's struggle. As expected,

all about whether Floyd was willing to take the

spent the day hoping Floyd would approach them, especially since their mom had assured them Floyd would

end, Floyd showed no signs

then Floyd looked up,

out, Floyd dropped a note on

wait after school. She nodded at Floyd and stealthily signaled an OK to Isaiah, who simply looked down and tapped something on his

afar as Floyd followed Juliet and Isaiah

eyebrow at Percival, as if to say, "Looks like Mr. Wolf lost

mentioned it to Vivienne, thinking it was trivial, but to his surprise, the boy

Vivienne said with a smile to Floyd. "Your nanny is here too; we'll head out

courage to speak, "I have something to

Vivienne squatted to

the things in your study," Floyd said, glancing nervously at Percival

expecting the boy to understand

"What about them? If you want to talk, talk. I'm here;

opened up, "I understand some of it. If you're stuck, I could

just promised strangers something potentially

confirmation, "You're willing to share this with us?

hadn't considered why, and his momentary silence

shake off a feeling of mistrust towards Floyd, his image somehow overlapping

discrepancies. The figure in her memory, though childlike, was taller and differently built than Floyd, possibly someone with

any further mistrust could develop, their immediate concern was

looking for you; what are you doing here?" The nanny approached, her face relaxing