The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Seeing Jasper looking glum, Zelda could not help but offer some words of comfort. “Dad, | know each child is dear to you, just like Natalia and Yasmine. | always try to be fair, too. But respect is earned. Diana hasn't even apologized to Vivienne yet.

Instead, she’s playing the victim. How can we not complain? Besides, you've been nothing but good to Diana over the years. Whatever others have, she has too, and often more. It's her own lack of gratitude that's the problem.” Jasper knew in his heart that Zelda was not one to make a fuss. Raised in the affluent Lynette family, she was not inclined to pettiness or suspicion.

Her words now were a sign of genuine anger and disappointment towards Diana.

“Alas, Diana's temperament isn't as adaptable as the others. She only had Willa to play with when she was little, and Willa was quite the ice queen herself. If Sasha were around, Diana might not have turned out so reclusive...” Jasper made a feeble excuse, but it was enough for the moment.

Zelda gave a wry smile, saying nothing more. She knew all too well that a father’s heart always aches for his daughters.

Just then, Natalia and Yasmine came running in, laughing out loud. “Grandpa, Vivienne'’s here!” At the mention of Vivienne, Jasper sprang from his recliner and hurried to welcome her.

Zelda shook her head in mild exasperation. “Dad, slow down. Vivienne keeps telling you to take it easy.” Jasper usually took Vivienne's words as gospel, but now, eager to greet her, he cast caution to the wind.

“Vivienne, have you eaten yet? | thought you were not coming until tomorrow. | haven't prepared anything special,” Jasper chatted affectionately with Vivienne.

Vivienne stayed by Jasper’s side all day, from morning till night, joining them for all three meals.

The Perez family was overjoyed. Vivienne's visits were usually brief, just long enough for a meal, but today, it felt like she had truly come home.

After dinner, Vivienne joined Jasper for a game of chess in the yard.

“Grandpa, have you heard of Noah?” Vivienne inquired.

Jasper paused, “Noah? Yorick's partner, Noah?" Vivienne nodded. “That's him. Do you know him?” “Not really, just had a few dealings with him. The guy's a bit of an oddball. We don’t play along... | mean, we couldn't work together.” Jasper’s face was a study of conflicting emotions as he tried to maintain his image in front of Vivienne.

Vivienne chuckled. She was well aware of Jasper’s playful personality.

“What's so odd about him? I've heard a lot of people at Vanguard Agency were trained by him. He can't be that strange,” Vivienne commented.

Jasper nodded. “He certainly deserves the respect. Unlike Yorick, who was eager to climb the ranks, Noah never chased power.

He would decline promotions, saying he preferred to be on the front lines. That's admirable. But he seems to have this fascination with the ancient warrior lineages, which I find unsettling.” Vivienne looked up, a flicker of doubt in her eyes as she asked, “He’s interested in the ancient warrior lineages?” “Yes, he’s been trying to merge the ancient warrior lineages with the internal factions of the Vanguard Agency.” Vivienne realized something and said, “So he fought to protect Vance because they share the same goal!” “No.” Jasper chuckled, shaking his head slightly. “He wants the ancient warrior lineages to take charge, not like Vance, who wants to kick them out of the Vanguard Agency.” Vivienne was taken aback. Noah was not part of the ancient warrior lineage, so why would he want them in power? Jasper saw the confusion on Vivienne'’s face and explained, “That's why I find it strange. After Yorick moved up, | lost touch with Noah. All I know is that he stayed on the front lines before being rehired, and all his files are top-secret within the Vanguard Agency.” There had always been two factions within the Vanguard Agency.

One was the ancient warrior lineage, which focused on defense and included families like the Martinez family, who supplied the Agency with weaponry.

The other was the Vanguard Agency special squad, like Vance and Micah, who also provided financial support for the defense teams.

These two factions had coexisted for years, each holding sway and influencing major decisions. They worked independently, but their interests were interwoven.

This explained why Jasper could decide on Percival's position and why Leopold could easily join the Martinez family’s tech company.

“Vivienne, what made you bring up Noah?” Jasper asked.

Vivienne shook her head, placing a piece on the board, “Nothing much, Grandpa. You've lost this game.” Only then did Jasper realize he had been distracted by the conversation. He looked down at the board, his fingertips subtly twitching.

In the bowl of chess pieces beside him, something seemed to stir.

Vivienne caught sight of the situation and swiftly grabbed the bowl. “Grandpa, no cheating! You promised me you'd go to bed.

What kind of old man stays up late watching cartoons anyway?” Jasper’s cheeks turned a shade of pink, and he glanced over at Yuri, who was busy entertaining the kids. With a mischievous smirk, he picked up a nearby glass of water and lobbed it towards Yuri's head.

“That'll teach you to snitch!”"Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

Rubbing his head, Yuri could not help but regret not being the lucky one in their game of chance. If only the draw had been in his favor, maybe it would be him messing with Jasper’s game night now! After finally getting Jasper to bed, Vivienne prepared to leave the Perez Mansion.

On her way out, she bumped into Diana.

Vivienne gave Diana a long, piercing look, her lips curling into a mocking smile.

Diana had never imagined Vivienne to be so bold, so forthright! Vivienne let out a laugh and said to Diana, “Auntie, you once claimed that even though the Perez family adopted you, Grandpa treated you just like his own daughter. Well, now | see it's not quite the case.” “Vivienne, you...” Vivienne raised a finger to her lips, silencing her. “Don’t worry; I'll be taking your place soon enough.” Diana watched in disbelief as Vivienne walked away with a sneer. Clenching her fists, she seethed.

“I always thought you'd be the forever innocent little bunny, but you're nothing but a sly fox, Vivienne. Just wait; your moment of triumph won't last long!” “What are you mumbling about in the dead of night? You scared the daylights out of me. | heard you mention Vivienne. What's up with her?” Startled, Diana spun around to see that it was Maddox.

“Maddox, | don't know why, but Vivienne just told me she’s going to replace me someday. It's so weird.” Diana forced a wistful smile, masking the turmoil inside.