The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Dracon hesitated, the words on the tip of his tongue dying before they could be born. He had no choice but to heed Yorick’s command.

Diana didn’t even offer a word of concern before Dracon led her out.

Yorick glanced at Percival, then at Vivienne by his side, his gaze softening with a touch of tenderness. “My dear, how old are you now?” “Twenty,” Vivienne replied.

Her twentieth birthday had passed, but she had never been one to celebrate. Birthdays always reminded her of her mother.

Thus, when Mr. Wolf suggested throwing her a birthday bash, she declined.

But she decided future birthdays could be celebrated.

The thought of all the years gone by without her mother's homemade strawberry cheesecake made her blood boil! All because Karen faked her death! From now on, she swore to indulge in strawberry cheesecake on her birthdays until she couldn't take another bite! Despite her disdain for Dracon, she held a fondness for Yorick.

She felt an indescribable familiarity in Yorick, just like the first tshe met Jasper.

Yorick clicked his tongue. “Putting up with this sourpuss for a boyfriend must be tough on you.” Vivienne chuckled. “It's not so bad; Mr. Wolf treatswell.” “A face like a block of ice, and you say he treats you well? Child, if that boy ever gives you trouble, you cstraight to me. I'll make sure he regrets it,” Yorick said with a deepening smile, his eyes shining with affection for Vivienne. a Percival could only sigh to himself.

No matter the company, when Vivienne was around, he might as well have been invisible.

Well, he mused, who could blhim for being willingly outshone by her? “Thank you, Mr. Yorick. But Mr. Wolf wouldn't dare. He knows he can’t outmatch me,” Vivienne said, not realizing she was becoming more talkative in Yorick’s company.

After a bit more chatter, Yorick finally turned his attention back to Percival.

He let out a deep sigh, “I thought the next t| saw you, you'd be the Director of Vanguard Agency.” The title of Director reflected Yorick’s high hopes for Percival.

Clearly, he saw him as his successor.

Percival bowed his head slightly. “I'm sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Yorick.” Yorick waved it off, “Disappointment is beside the point. You young folks have your own paths, and | understand that. The recent incident must have hurt you deeply.” Percival offered a faint smile in response.

The room fell silent for a moment before Yorick continued, “I've been out of the loop at Vanguard Agency for a while now. | don’t know many of the new faces, so | can’t offer much help. But your road ahead should be easier.

If you ever need me, for Vivienne’s sake, I'll be there.” Percival could not help but laugh. “Seems Vivienne holds more sway than me.” “Of course, she and | hit it off from the start, unlike you,” Yorick replied, giving Vivienne another meaningful glance. “My dear, what did your parents do?” Vivienne smiled. “You might have met my mother; she was a member of the special squad known as Lark. As for my father, | never met him.” Yorick straightened up, surprised, “You're Lark’s daughter? She had a child!” “Yes, that's me.” Vivienne knew then that the Linklater that Karen had mentioned must be none other than Yorick before her.

Yorick scrutinized Vivienne closely, then nodded in affirmation. “Yes, you resemble her. | always thought you looked familiar. | once hoped to have her join our family. To think she had a child and such a fine one at that. | envy her father-in-law.” Vivienne could tell Yorick’s envy was genuine.

But Vivienne did not even know who her father was, let alone her grandfather, so she felt there was really no need for envy.

After smore small talk, Vivienne broached the subject she had on her mind. “Mr. Yorick, I'm trying to find someone. Have you ever heard of a person named Vesper Linklater?” Yorick shook his head. “There's no Vesper in the Linklater family.” “Thank you, Mr. Yorick. | got it.” Vivienne acknowledged.

After spending a little more twith Yorick, Vivienne and Percival took their leave.

As they were parting, Vivienne checked Yorick’s pulse and noticed a mole on his wrist.

She smiled to herself, not because the mole was extraordinary, but because she had a similar one in the exact sspot.

Once Vivienne and Percival had left, Dracon returned with Diana to visit.

Dracon was clearly unhappy, while Diana seemed more enthusiastic, greeting Yorick warmly.

“You've done well coming here. Tell your father not to worry; this old body of mine has a few good years left to play chess with him,” Yorick said with a smile.

His words were a polite dismissal.

Catching the hint, Diana quickly bid her farewells and left.

Once she was gone, Yorick’s smile faded.

“Dad, Diana's been waiting for so long. Why did you send her away like that?” “Son, you should keep your distance from Diana. That girl... she’s a wild card,” Yorick remarked, his eyes narrowing.

Dracon bristled at his father’s advice but knew better than to argue.

“Jasper is head over heels for his daughter Diana. You guys need to stop looking at her through those judgmental glasses just because she’s adopted,” grumbled Dracon with a growing sense of displeasure.

Yorick did not say much in response, simply laid back and spoke with a deep, resonant voice, “Both Jasper and | disagree with this marriage arrangement. Diana herself doesn’t want it, too. You're the only one charging ahead like skind of one-man band.” “Dad, Diana is...”Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

“I'm tired.” Yorick closed his eyes, signaling the end of the discussion with Dracon.

With nothing left to say, Dracon clammed up and sheepishly made his way out.

Having left the Linklater residence, Diana did not head back to the Perez home. Instead, she took a path that led her in the opposite direction, up a winding mountain road.

Arriving at a quaint bungalow, Diana stepped out of the car and pushed open the door to enter.

“Are you a rabbit or something? With all these hideouts,” Diana complained with a hint of annoyance.

F-Poison shook her head, “I'm more of a dragon, actually.” Diana rolled her eyes, taking a moment to catch her breath before sitting down. “What about Vesper? What have you found out?” F-Poison set aside the book she was reading and removed her silver-rimmed glasses, “Nothing.” “What?” Diana exclaimed in shock. “Not a single clue?” “That's right.” F-Poison leaned back on the couch. Her curiosity was piqued as she looked at Diana. “Why are you digging into this Vesper character, anyway?” “Why else? If it were not for Vesper, Vivienne would have been skinned alive, if not dead, by now. It’s all because he’s been meddling,” Diana seethed with resentment. “I even went to the Linklater Mansion today and got nothing. They don’t have anyone named Vesper.”