The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne screenshotted the group chat and sent it to Griffin.

Husky Smasher: [I knew Charlotte’s idea was right, oh Vivienne, I love you.]

Husky Smasher was Griffin’s nickname.

Vivienne pinched the bridge of her nose, somewhat speechless.

This Griffin, coming up with such an idea. Vivienne could not tell if Griffin was torturing herself or

Leopold.

During the day, Griffin had pulled her aside into a room and, with utmost seriousness, stated that

marrying Leopold was a given after a kiss, but she did not want to pursue it in this manner and asked

for her help.

Then she went on with a whole spiel.

About how, yes, she would marry, but it depended on whether Leopold even liked her.

If not, she would not insist. She would only marry Leopold if there were mutual affection.

So, she had to test the waters!

Hearing Griffin’s lengthy explanation, Vivienne just asked whether she wanted to marry Leopold simply

because of a kiss or if she genuinely liked him.

Full of righteous fervor, Griffin said, “Of course, it’s because I like him! Why else would I let him kiss

me? I am the proud heiress of the ancient warrior lineage, the Martinez family. I have my pride, and not

just anyone can wed me!”

Vivienne was speechless.

…

At the Perez Mansion in Rivenwood.

Jasper looked at a photograph of his daughter from her childhood, his eyes glistening with tears.

After so many years, he still wondered how his Sasha was doing.

Yuri knocked and entered, “Dad, why haven’t you gone to bed yet?”

“Can’t sleep.” Jasper put away the photograph and stood up, walking to the yard with Yuri. “Something

on your mind?”

“Yep, it’s about that little girl from the Martinez family,” Yuri said, helping Jasper into the rocking chair in

the yard. “The girl is teaming up with Vivienne to study the new type of explosive we’ve been

investigating.”

Surprise flickered in Jasper’s eyes, followed by a heavy chuckle. “Those two working together, now

that’s something. Alright, let them handle it. Young people have their own ways.”

After a pause, Jasper’s expression darkened. “What about CK? Any progress on that front?”

Yuri shook his head. “All leads pointed to Fiona from the second branch of the Ellington family, but after

her arrest, the trail went cold.”

Jasper’s brow furrowed. “If the trail’s gone cold, find a new one. If we can’t find that person, we’ll never

know Sasha’s whereabouts.”

For years, the Perez family had been searching for their lost daughter, Sasha Perez.

With Yasmine and Natalia’s kidnapping, they finally stumbled upon a clue.

The child thief was no common trafficker but an organization known as CK.

Though CK was a newly risen underground syndicate, its predecessor was the infamous and nefarious

RST.

RST’s dealings in human trafficking, unethical experiments, and organ sales were beyond the pale.

Jasper himself led the charge to dismantle RST’s headquarters, yet their leader, code named F-Poison,

managed to escape.

It was during that operation that Jasper was seriously injured and hospitalized. When he awoke, his

beloved youngest daughter had vanished.

He was certain that F-Poison had taken her in revenge.

Yet, for so many years, there had been no trace.

Had it not been for CK targeting Natalia and Yasmine, the Perez family might never have found a lead

on CK or uncovered its connection to RST.

Yuri said firmly, “I understand. CK is more cunning than RST ever was and is an expert at legalizing its

deeds. It won’t be easy to deal with.”

Jasper looked down, contemplative. “You’ll take care of this. By the way, if Vivienne wants to work on

that new explosive, is there a place for her?”

Explosives research was no trivial matter. One false move and disaster could strike.

Thus, a legal and suitable location was essential.

The legality was not an issue; after all, all of Griffin’s patents were state-owned, and this new invention

would be no exception.

But finding the right place was the challenge.

Yuri, of course, grasped his father’s meaning. “Don’t worry, Dad. Zelda has everything arranged. Her

nephew will arrive in Rivenwood tomorrow and will reach out to Vivienne.”

Jasper nodded in satisfaction. “Good.”

After a moment, something else came to mind, “Remember, Vivienne mentioned that Scott from the

Brooks family isn’t her biological father, right?”

Yuri paused, puzzled by the sudden mention of Scott. “Yes, she has no blood ties to the Brooks family.

Her mother seems to have had some reason to be with them.”

They had previously investigated Vivienne’s mother, Karen, and found little information. But after

Scott’s arrest, some things became easier to investigate.

Although Karen’s identity remained unclear, the details of her involvement with Scott were now known.

Jasper looked up at the dark night sky, pointing to a star right in the middle, “See that Parent-Child

Star? It’s drawing closer to us.”

Yuri looked up, his expression changing. “Could it be that Sasha has appeared in Rivenwood?”

“No!” Jasper shook his head. “It doesn’t represent Sasha.”Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join &

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He had never believed that Sasha was dead, but he always felt she was slipping further away.

And that star did not seem to symbolize the connection between a biological parent and child.

Yuri was somewhat lost. “Then what does it mean?”

Jasper did not reply directly but said instead, “If Scott isn’t Vivienne’s biological father, why did we find

ten paternity tests confirming their relation?”

They suspected that Vivienne was Sasha’s daughter, so naturally, anyone related to Vivienne was

under scrutiny.

Those ten paternity tests were discovered only recently.

Yuri jolted. “Yeah, why do the tests show a valid relationship if there’s no blood connection?”

Even he was perplexed at this point.

Jasper cracked a smile. “It means that Vivienne’s DNA has been altered in the national database. This

implies that no matter who tries to do a paternity test with her, the only match will be Scott.”

Yuri was shocked. “But the last paternity test was conducted in our hospital. How capable must

someone be to change DNA records in our facility?”

Jasper’s lips curled slightly. “In this world, there are many skilled people. A hacker, for example, could

breach the security of hospitals big and small nationwide.”

Yuri fell silent.

After a while, he looked up at Jasper, saying, “Dad, are you suggesting we need another paternity

test?”

Before Jasper could respond, Yuri added, “Why do you believe Vivienne is Sasha’s daughter?”

Jasper sighed softly and pulled a piece of paper from his pocket, “Take a look at this.”

Yuri took the paper, and his brow furrowed. “Who gave you this?”