The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 1161

Arnold stepped forward, teasing Brooke as her eyes welled up with tears, "If you really can't hold it in, how about you save those tears for when Bobby and I tie the knot?"

"You're impossible!" The mood was instantly ruined by Arnold's jest, and Brooke lost any inclination to be sentimental.

Anna had just left the convenience store, planning to hail a cab to the lab, when Soren hurried up behind her. "It's kinda tough to catch a cab around here. Let me give you a lift; I need to check some stuff at the lab anyway." Anna was about to decline but, catching Soren's earnest look, she swallowed her words. "That would be great, thanks."

Even though they had cleared the air between them, Anna couldn't shake off a feeling of unease. Was this the awkward phase?

Their ride to the lab was marked by silence until they arrived.

Taking a deep breath, Soren glanced at Anna, his usual bravado replaced by a sheepish tone. "About yesterday, I'm sorry. I jumped the gun, thinking you were defending him. I didn't really get your relationship, so, you know..." Anna couldn't help but laugh at the thought, her sudden laughter cutting through the tension in the car.

Soren, catching on, exhaled in relief. "I was holding back from reaching out, afraid you'd block me or something."

"I wouldn't do that," Anna replied. "Aside from everything else, you're still my team leader."

Relieved, they headed into the lab together.

Upon their arrival, they found Vivienne laying into Brody, "This month alone, you've managed to knock over so many test tubes in my lab, fifty of them shattered. Each costs sixty grand, so you better start writing that check!" "My word, what kind of test tubes are those?" Brody retorted, disbelief in his voice as he confronted Vivienne, "You're not trying to scam me, are you? With your wealth, and here you are, nickel-and-diming me!"

Vivienne scoffed, "My sweat and tears are in those tubes. If my research pans out, each could be worth six million. You getting off with sixty grand is a steal."

The standoff continued as Soren and Anna entered, unnoticed, and went about their business, leaving the battleground to the combatants.

seeing Brody's stubbornness, decided to list every item he'd damaged over the

to her as she watched, only

at Soren and Anna, noting a change in their dynamic. It seemed

It's better they didn't let a small misunderstanding come

under Vivienne's meaningful gaze. "Ms. Vivienne, here are

her usual demeanor,

Vivienne asked, "So, you and Soren sorted things

off guard by Vivienne's insight. "Sort of, we just

me know when the wedding is,

hastened to clarify, worried Soren might overhear. Little did she know, Soren was right behind her, listening as she awkwardly tried to dismiss Vivienne's teasing. Embarrassed, Anna knew despite Soren's interest, their relationship was just starting. Nothing

for him," Vivienne

look, Vivienne departed, leaving Anna's

could gather her thoughts, Soren approached, "How about dinner

made Anna blush, missing the red tint on

a moment, she whispered,

Griffin nearly jumped

Vivienne warned, understanding why the Martinez family was always so worried about Griffin. She seemed to forget she

it; I

gossip," Griffin chuckled, then

was so much going on between them But with all

challenges Anna and Soren faced together, Griffin found it hard to imagine them having a moment to develop feelings amidst

fall for each other?" Vivienne mused, popping a cherry into