The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Juliette didn't find switching schools to be a hassle at all. In fact, she preferred her new school to the elite prep schools she'd attended before. Here, no one was constantly monitoring her every move or imposing a list of strict rules on her. She felt a sense of freedom she hadn't experienced before.

Jasper, however, wasn't as easily convinced. He turned to Isaiah, seeking reassurance, "Is that so?" Isaiah nodded, "The school Maddox found for us is great. No need to switch." That put Jasper at ease.

During lunch, Maddox took care of the kids without a word, only looking up to exchange a glance with the old man when necessary. Luckily, Jasper was too busy chatting with those around him to inquire about anything else.

After the meal, Vivienne helped Jasper back to his room, casually mentioning, "Grandpa, you seem a bit under the weather. How about I do sacupuncture to help you relax?" Jasper was about to decline when Vivienne suddenly brought up, "I recently discussed a partnership with the Boyd family. I heard you're quite familiar with them. I'd love to get your insights." Jasper paused, "You're working with Connor?" Vivienne nodded thoughtfully, "We just signed the contract. He's a good partner." Jasper seemed to sense something, chuckling, "Just partners?" "Connor is about your age, comes from a good family. It would be nice if you two could get to know each other better. That would ease an old man's worries." Vivienne pressed her lips together, neither confirming nor denying Jasper's implications.

This made Jasper more certain of his intuition.

Connor seemed like a good match for Vivienne.

Their thoughts were worlds apart; Jasper hoped to see Vivienne move on from a shadow that had loomed over her for five years. But Vivienne was more concerned about how the Boyd family, known for being an ancient warrior lineage, had suddenly emerged five years ago.

At that time, she was abroad, following a lead on Mr. Wolf.

She was unaware of the Boyd family's true nature.

Even the Nine Mystics Society had difficulty uncovering the origins of such an ancient warrior lineage.

The matter had been shelved.

"Grandpa, I want to know what the Boyd family was like before, where they had been hiding, and why they suddenly appeared!" Jasper smiled knowingly, "You're interested in Connor, aren't you?" Vivienne didn't confirm or deny but continued, "As you said, he's capable. But I'm curious if it's his background or his personal abilities that support him." Jasper agreed with Vivienne's perspective. It's not just family influence that matters but personal capabilities.

He nodded, "It's a long story. Weren't you going to perform acupuncture...?" Vivienne nodded, her expression serene, "Let's talk while I work on it." Juliette, who had cto find Vivienne, overheard their conversation and was taken aback.

Had she heard right? Was her mom actually praising that man? She couldn't possibly be forgetting about dad and moving on with someone else...

That couldn't happen.

If mom was taken away, wouldn't dad be left alone? "Juliette, why are you standing here by yourself?" Sasha, noticing Juliette who had just been in her room a moment ago, cover and took her hand.

Juliette bit her lip, "Grandma, I was looking for mom..." "Your mom is treating your great-grandpa. Let's go back to your room," Sasha said, picking her up. After a few steps, she noticed the tears welling up in Juliette's eyes.

Sasha gently wiped away the tears, softly asking, "Who upset our Juliette? Tell grandma, and I'll take care of it." Juliette shook her head; nobody had bullied her.

She hugged Sasha tighter, her voice quivering, "Grandma, I miss dad. Mom said he just disappeared, but when will he cback?" If he didn't return soon, mom might really be taken away by another man.

Sasha paused, her eyes flickering with depth as she glanced towards Vivienne's room, "Don't cry, Juliette. If your dad truly had a good reason, he'll cback someday." Juliette looked up, tears still on her face, "Really? Dad will really cback!" If something seemed too mysterious, there was likely a reason behind it not meant for prying eyes.

With her grandmother's words, Juliette felt reassured.

But her resistance to Connor grew stronger.

As long as her dad hadn't returned, no one could take her mom away.

Nobody could separate her parents.

The next day after another acupuncture session with Jasper, Vivienne and the kids stayed at the Perez family's home. As they were leaving, Maddox, carrying the kids, walked out with Sasha to see them off Content belongs to en.kikistoriesUMS On their way back, the butler suddenly appeared, blocking Maddox's path, "Maddox, the old man wants to see you." Maddox felt a lump in his throat, looking down at the kids in his arms, "Oh, I just remembered, did we leave something in Vivienne's car? I should check..." The butler remained unmoved, "Sir, please don't make this hard for me." Maddox was on the verge of tears.

Who was making it hard for whom? Could his dad really not overlook the little money he had in his pocket? Sasha took the kids from him, "Let them go with me; seeing the kids might soften his heart." Maddox, "..." That night, Vivienne received a call from Thomas.

Over the years, he had been overseas, managing a piece of the empire for Mr. Wolf.

Together with the people Mr. Wolf had trained, they had been dispatched around the globe in search of any leads on Mr. Wolf.

Bits and pieces of information would trickle in from tto time.

But it was never him.

Holding an international call, Thomas's voice fluctuated slightly, "Ma'am, we've spotted someone resembling Percival. Just appeared on our turf the day before yesterday, but it was only from behind. Content belongs to en.kikistoriesswnov Vivienne didn't hesitate, knowing that if Thomas felt there was a resemblance, the chances were significantly higher than before.

"Keep an eye on him, I'll be there tomorrow." Thomas's voice tinged with excitement, "Yes, Ma'am." The next day, Monday.

Leopold was called over at six in the morning, stepping out of his car and into the Linklater residence, his eyes heavy with sleep.

In the foyer, Vivienne was dressed in a sleek black casual outfit, ready to head out.

Seeing her, Leopold quickly perked up, "Vivienne, leave the kid to me, you do what you need to." Vivienne nodded slightly, and as she passed by him, she paused to give Leopold a look, dropping a comment, "We'll talk about your illness when I get back." Leopold was stunned.

Turning his head, Vivienne was already walking away.

He hadn't misheard, had he? Vivienne said he was sick? Could it be that his secret health tonic intake had been discovered? That shouldn't be.

He had been exceedingly cautious, not telling a soul.

Even when he last went to the armory to see Griffin, she hadn't noticed. She even asked if he had been eating too much lately, wondering how he managed to put on weight.