The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

At the Perez Mansion.

After Yuri returned, he found Zelda in her walk-in closet, rummaging through several designer bags still

in their pristine packaging.

Each one was a unique, limited-edition treasure!

“This one would look adorable on Vivienne. A little lady her age would look just darling with this color.

This one’s not bad either; it goes with everything and is perfect for any outfit.

This one isn’t for everyday use, but when Vivienne and Percival get married, she’ll need something for

the galas. This clutch would be just right.”

Yuri watched his wife meticulously select each item, his smile indulgent. “That’s enough for now, love.

We can always gift more another time.”

They were having dinner with Vivienne’s family tomorrow, and Zelda was taking it very seriously,

spending days picking out the perfect present.

“There will always be a next time. How long has it been since we last saw Vivienne? Besides, just the

other week, she sent some medicines for Yasmine and Natalia. We’re already discharged, and still, she

showed so much care, so we have to show our appreciation, don’t we?”

Zelda rolled her eyes at Yuri. Then, her gaze fell on a set of matching outfits in the closet.

She had stumbled upon them while shopping and could not resist buying them. However, she had yet

to wear them with Yuri.

Perfect, she thought, they could give them to Vivienne and Percival.

Jasper, leaning on his cane, frowned, “I still say that Ellington boy isn’t good enough for Vivienne.”

Zelda chuckled in disbelief, “Dad, why wouldn’t he be? Percival is one of the station’s most capable

and strategic young men. If he weren’t still climbing the ranks due to his youth, he’d have been

promoted to a desk job by now.”

Jasper scoffed. “Hmph! And Vivienne isn’t exceptional? With her talents at such a young age, is that

man really her match?”

Yuri sighed. “Dad, I think you believe there aren’t many out there who are worthy of Vivienne, right?”

Jasper finally nodded with satisfaction, “Exactly.”

Zelda shook her head in resignation. Luckily, Vivienne was not her granddaughter. Otherwise, Jasper

would have scared Percival off long ago.

In her eyes, Percival and Vivienne were a match made in heaven – in looks and capabilities.

She had been quietly shipping them for ages. In fact, she was the queen bee of their shipping

community on Twitter!

After a bit more chit-chat, Jasper pulled Yuri aside.

Once the door closed, Jasper asked, “How did it go?”

Yuri nodded. “Got it.”

Technically, they could have gotten Vivienne’s DNA after tomorrow’s dinner, but to be safe, Yuri had

arranged to get them from Vivienne a day early.

Though expected, Jasper was still somewhat surprised. “Vivienne wasn’t upset?”

Yuri smiled, “She wasn’t. She just asked me to tell you that running more paternity tests won’t change

anything. She wants you to let it go.”

Jasper sighed. “I’m not obsessed. It’s just she feels so close to me. Even if the result is disappointing, I

have to try.”

Understanding his father’s feelings, Yuri replied, “I’ll have the items sent over as soon as possible.

Don’t worry, Dad. You’ll be the first to know as soon as the results are in.”

Reassured, Jasper relaxed.

…

The next day.

Zelda arrived early at the restaurant they had chosen, only to find Dawson already there, waiting.

“Auntie, you’re finally here. You have to stand up for me. I can’t let Vivienne really marry Percival. No

one on this earth is worthy of her!”

Dawson was Zelda’s only nephew and had always been close to her. He had always talked to her

about Vivienne, singing praises so high that, at first, Zelda had thought he was seeing through rose-

colored glasses.

Now that she knew who Vivienne was, she realized Dawson’s words had been true.

But now Dawson was trying to break up her favorite couple, and that was something she could not

allow.

“What right do you have to meddle in Vivienne’s affairs? Say another word, and I’ll have Vivienne

render you speechless!” Zelda eyed Dawson with disdain.

Besides Vivienne, the person Dawson feared most was his aunt. He clamped his mouth shut at her

rebuke.

Soon, Vivienne arrived, supporting Jasper, with Yuri and Percival trailing behind.

Zelda greeted them, “You all came together?”

“We ran into each other outside,” Vivienne replied, helping Jasper to his seat and sitting down beside

him.

Jasper beamed, “I told you, Vivienne and I are fated.”

“Grandpa, we had planned to meet for lunch. What fate are you talking about?” Not fully aware of

Sasha’s situation, Dawson did not quite grasp the tender bond between Jasper and Vivienne.

At this, both Vivienne and Jasper shot him a look.

“Is this any of your business?”

Dawson muttered, “Talk about fate. Jinxed it.”

Percival, who sat next to Vivienne, said with a light smile, “Vivienne often remarks on her deep

connection with you, Jasper. It seems destined.”

These words struck a chord with Jasper; throughout the meal, he could not have been more fond of

Percival.

Dawson gnashed his teeth in frustration. Percival always knew how to charm the people close to

Vivienne!

Percival thought, “That’s called personal charisma.”

The meal was more conversation than eating, and the topic shifted to the piece of land from the Brooks

family that Dawson had purchased.

Jasper’s expression darkened. “Vivienne, the main reason we wanted to talk to you today was to

discuss a partnership in developing a new type of explosive.”

Vivienne was not surprised in the least.

Griffin hailed from an ancient warrior lineage, as did the Perez family.Books Chapters Are Daily

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These two families probably shared a closeness unknown to the common folk.

She had heard from Percival before that some of these ancient warrior lineages served the nation as

hidden dynasties.

Take Griffin, for instance; all her patents were surrendered to the state without a dime in return, and the

new type of bomb she was working on would be no exception.

Once she perfected her invention, it was a given that Griffin would hand it over to the nation.

And Vivienne? She merely provided a covert space for Griffin’s research while conveniently dismantling

GTO’s weapon production.

She was the third party, what one would call an investor in business parlance.

The Perez family was surely aware of what the Martinez family was up to.

As for the development of the new bomb, the Perez family wanted a slice of the pie, or rather, to tighten

the grip of this patent within the nation’s hands, which was understandable.

“What’s your take on this?” Vivienne asked with a smile.

Jasper was increasingly impressed with Vivienne, not just because of her natural familiarity but also her

astuteness.

Conversing with her required no effort to clarify or elucidate; Vivienne instinctively grasped his

intentions.

In this regard, even Yuri fell short.

She reminded him of Sasha, like a comforting warm jacket on a chilly day.

Jasper produced a contract and said, “Take a look at the terms here. If there’s anything you’re

dissatisfied with or wish to change, just let me know. I’ll have Yuri make the amendments.”