The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Thinking about it, Leopold shook his head and glanced at the clock, realizing it was almost time. He quickened his pace towards the kids' bedrooms.

On the way to school, Leopold glanced at the rearview mirror, noticing the two munching on their sandwiches, and asked curiously. "Juliette, Isaiah, has Vivienne been under a lot of stress lately? Why did she suddenly tellI'm sick?" Juliette was too busy with her sandwich to care, continuing her silent munching, lost in her thoughts.

Isaiah hit the nail on the head, "Goddad, the scent of herbal tea isn't something you can just wash off with a shower." Leopold, "..." He subconsciously sniffed himself, his eyes darting away.

He only indulged in his herbal tea every other day, was it really that noticeable? Juliette swallowed her last bite, "Godad, the only thing getting better with that tea is your taste for it. You better watch it, or you'll pack on the pounds. Be careful, or Aunt Viv might not fancy you anymore." Leopold choked, coughed, and said, "What do kids know, Viv and I have a bond that goes way back. It's not something that can be swayed by something as superficial as looks." He could brag all day about his relationship with Griffin.

Juliette remained silent, just quietly observing him from the backseat.

Feeling guilty under her gaze, Leopold touched his slightly plumper cheeks, incredulous, "Did I really gain weight?" Juliette delivered the final blow, "You used to have a six-pack. How many can you count now?" Leopold, "..." That settles it; he was going to get back in shape.

He remembered how Griffin seemed to enjoy tracing his waistline at night...

Cto think of it, he'd only seen her twice this month.

No matter how career-driven Vivienne was, it seemed she could easily forget him once she buried herself in work.

If it weren't for his occasional presence, her world would be nothing but her arsenal of gadgets and accessories.

Seeing Leopold genuinely disheartened, Juliette couldn't bear to tease any further.

She nudged Isaiah with her elbow.

After a moment, Isaiah spoke up, "Godad, isn't Aunt Viv's birthday coming up soon?" Leopold's eyes lit up, "Right, Griffin's birthday is next month. I need to think of a way to surprise her." Isaiah took a sip of his milk, his eyes glued to his tablet, and said, "Aunt Viv's job is super secretive. Traveling abroad might not be a good idea." Leopold, agreeing while stroking his chin and keeping his eyes on the road, contemplated.

"Then let's plan it at the Hot Springs Resort. It's private, Viv can truly relax, and I can spend squality twith her." It would also be a twhen Vivienne was likely to be back.

No need to worry about the kids then.

With the plan shaping up, Leopold's spirits were lifted. He decided to treat his little "strategists," "I'm free this weekend. You two pick a place, and we'll go!" "Anywhere's fine!" Isaiah, distracted by his tablet, wasn't too interested in the weekend getaway idea.

Leopold raised an eyebrow, "What about you, Juliette? I'm telling you, miss this chance, and there won't be another." A spark gleamed in Juliette's eyes, "Godad, I miss Grandpa Finnian. When can we visit Emerald Mountain?" At the mention of Emerald Mountain, Leopold's expression froze.

He shook his head, very sure, "Not possible, not these days." Not just these days, without a word from his mentor, he dared not set foot on Emerald Mountain again. "Why?" Juliette was puzzled.

"Going there now, you want to seeget beaten up, or do you want us to get beaten up together!" Juliette blinked, "I just want to apologize to Grandpa Finnian and check on the house's progress. If worst comes to worst, I can use my allowance to help with the repairs. That should be okay, right?" Content belongs to en.kikistoriesAfter all, Grandpa Finnian was their biggest supporter. She needed to maintain that relationship.

Mentioning money only made Leopold sigh.

Emerald Mountain's mishap was entirely blamed on him by his mentor.

Luckily, Vivienne arrived in tto smooth things over.

Given his mentor's pettiness, this wasn't going to be easily forgotten.

Just thinking about his mentor's furious expression made him shudder.

No doubt, his mentor had streasures he didn't manage to save in time. But he refused to tell them what exactly.

Juliette and Isaiah were his treasures, so he'd be the one to bear the brunt.

Seeing no way forward, Juliette shifted gears, "If not Grandpa Finnian, how about Dawson?" "Dawson?" Leopold snapped back to reality, "No way. I'm not letting Dawson take you kids on another one of his 'adventures."" The last tDawson sneakily took them to a shooting range, Vivienne almost had his head when she found out.

He wasn't about to let that happen again while Viv was away.

"Who said anything about going out? I just want to see Dawson, is that a problem?" Juliette pleaded.

Leopold was skeptical, "Really?" Juliette nodded, "Really. We won't go anywhere. I just miss Dawson, it's been nearly two months..." She added, "But even after seeing Dawson, you're still the best in mine and Isaiah's hearts, irreplaceable and most important." Leopold's lips curled slightly, “Alright, I'll reach out to him. If he's free, I'll take you guys after school." Dawson was mostly at Rivenwood these days, hardly leaving.

It would be easy to catch up with him.

Juliette beamed, "I knew it, godad is the best." The car pulled up outside the school, and Juliette along with Isaiah stepped out, waving at Leopold. "Bye!" Leopold leaned against the car, nodding his head slightly, watching them enter the school.

As he turned around, he noticed a figure standing not too far off.

His gaze shifted past Leopold, fixated on Juliette and Isaiah walking into the school.

Leopold's eyes narrowed, his voice cold, "What are you doing here?" Connor diverted his gaze back to Leopold, replying calmly, "Just passing by." Leopold didn't buy it for a second, glancing at the luxury car behind him, sarcastically, "Oh, just passing by, huh? What, do you live on the street now?" Connor wasn't ruffled, simply looking back at him, "Got a problem with that?" "You bet I do," Leopold snapped back, irritated by his demeanor. "Letmake something clear, Connor don't think your little status gives you any leverage here. Even in Percival's absence, you're the fast person Vivienne needs around her!" Content belongs to en.kikistoriesConnor looked up, "This person you mentioned, Percival, right?" A shadow crossed Leopold's eyes, "Percival's nisn't for you to casually throw around." Connor's lips curved into a smirk, "And why not?" "He's been gone for five years, and Vivienne's been searching for him all this time. If he doesn't care for her, naturally, someone else will."