The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Jeffrey felt a pang of embarrassment somehow. After all, painting was his pride and joy, his claim to

fame.

But now, having been publicly called out by Vivienne for plagiarism, he also faced the mortifying task of

confessing this to his parents. It was the ultimate disgrace.

As Heloise and Fiona watched him with piercing gazes, Jeff’s irritation boiled over into anger, “So I

copied Vivienne’s painting, then what? How was I supposed to know she was Eulalia? If I had known, I

wouldn’t have copied it!”

“Plagiarism?” Heloise looked bewildered. “How did plagiarism come into this?”

She believed in her son’s talent. Though she was no art connoisseur, Jeff’s paintings were always a

delight to the eye.

Jeffrey explained the whole fiasco to her.

Heloise’s brows knitted together in an instant, “It’s just a painting! Why is she being so aggressive?

She’s marrying into the Ellington family, for heaven’s sake. Does making us pushovers do good to

her?”

Fiona glanced at her and then settled herself on the couch, saying coolly, “I don’t know what good she

wants get. But we must pay the money.”

Heloise was instantly resistant, “The money is ours. If we don’t want to pay, what’s she going to do?

Twist our arms?”

This wasn’t just a million or two.

Handing the ten billion would leave their family penniless.

Jeffrey nodded in agreement, “Exactly! We’re not paying. What can she possibly do about it?”

Fiona’s eyes flickered with a chill. “So, you want to let them shut down the galleries?” she retorted.

“It’s just a few galleries; if they close, they close!” Judith dismissed the concern. “Worst comes to worst,

I’ll just open new ones for my son!”

Fiona scoffed derisively, “Huh. If you want to see my brother ruined, then don’t pay.”

Heloise wasn’t listening. The thought of handing ten billion to someone else made her physically

uncomfortable. “I don’t care; there’s no way I’m parting with that money,” she stated.

“Right, with ten billion, you could open countless galleries. I won’t let Percival and Vivienne get the best

of us,” Jeffrey added.

Fiona shot him a look and then turned to Henry, who had been silently listening to the conversation,

cup in hand. “Dad, what do you think?” she asked.

Prompted by Fiona, Henry set down his cup, “I agree with your mother. We’re all blood relatives here

and Percival’s been chosen as the heir by the old man himself. He’ll have far more than us in the

future. It makes no sense for him to come after our wealth. I will not part with that money.”

Fiona’s lips curved into a sly smile, “Even if it means risking our family?”

Henry paused, uneasy. “What do you mean?” he asked.

Fiona pulled out her phone, clicked on a photo, and handed it to Henry, “I found this in Percival’s room.

He’s investigating you! Dad, what do you think Grandpa would do if he found out you’ve been evading

taxes and swapping quality materials for subpar ones?”

Henry stiffened.

His father would not hesitate to throw him in jail. Or worse, he would disinherit their branch from the

Ellington!

After a moment, Henry spoke slowly with furrowed eyebrows, “I’ll arrange for the money to be sent

tonight.”

“Dad!” Jeffrey exclaimed in disbelief.

If they gave up the money so easily, what would become of them?

“Shut your mouth! If it weren’t for your foolish plagiarism stunt, we wouldn’t be in this mess,” Henry

bellowed.

Jeffrey recoiled instinctively, “I… I didn’t expect this to happen, but we also don’t need to just hand over

the money. Besides, they have no proof of your misdeeds. Even if it gets to Grandpa, we can argue our

case.”

Henry’s voice was icy, “We have no case! They’ll find everything if they start digging.”

“Honey?” Heloise sounded worried.

“Don’t worry, it’s only temporary. In the end, it’ll all come back to us.” Henry soothed her.

Heloise had been with Henry long enough to trust him at the most fundamental level.

Eventually, she too nodded in agreement.

Watching this unfold, Jeffrey couldn’t help but seethe with rage.

Why Fiona’s few words could convince his parents to give up a large sum?

Was Fiona siding with Percival and Vivienne?

But now, he was powerless to stop it.

…

Two days later, Calista was discharged from the hospital.

Scott Brooks called the family to welcome her home.

Vivienne was busy with Percival, playing with anime figurines with little Thaddeus.

Charlotte was stuck at school for the week.

Thaddeus had perked up considerably over the past few days.

Upon hearing Scott’s announcement, Vivienne raised an eyebrow.

A welcome party without consultation?

She and Percival headed downstairs with Thaddeus, only to see Calista striding in alongside Scott,

head held high like a proud peacock.

Her eyes, brimming with ambition, swept over Vivienne and settled on Percival with a possessive

intensity.

Vivienne’s gaze flickered over Calista, then just as quickly moved on.

Calista shuddered under Vivienne’s scrutiny, her fingers tightening in search of some comfort.

She couldn’t shake the memory of the last time when she was hit by Vivienne.

Scott took his place at the head of the table beside Judith and surveyed the room. “Now that

everyone’s here, I have something to say. I plan to host a family reunion dinner to officially

acknowledge Calista.” He announced.

“What?” Kala Brooks was the first to react. Her voice was laced with shock, “How can that be?”

She couldn’t believe these words were coming from Scott.

No matter what, Calista was just a bastard child, almost a blight on Scott’s otherwise impeccable

record.

But now…

Carl Brooks frowned too, his expression turning sour.

Only Judith, the Timothy couple, and some elders of the family including Melissa Brooks, seemed

unfazed by the revelation and remained silent.

Kala furrowed her brow as she turned to Scott, “Scott, I respect your choice, but this might not be

appropriate. She’s illegitimate. What right does she have to a family reunion dinner?”Books Chapters

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Vivienne also fixed her gaze on Scott as her lips curled into a mocking smile.

Percival’s deep eyes glinted coldly. He glanced at Vivienne and, seeing that the young girl didn’t mind,

his expression softened considerably.

Carl’s eyes landed on Calista, his disapproval evident as he said, “Just bringing her home is enough; a

family reunion dinner is really unnecessary.”

At first, Carl had taken a liking to Calista, but then the things she had done were quite unbecoming.

Carl felt a sense of shame at the thought of Calista joining the Brooks family.

Scott merely gave them a cool glance and let them argue. He didn’t utter a word.

That’s when Tristan spoke up, “I think the reunion dinner should be held. Calista is Dad’s daughter, and

that’s an undeniable fact. Not only should the dinner take place, it should also be a big to-do.”