The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 876

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Arthur and Karen, feeling out of place at the bustling garden party filled with high society's finest, decided to slip away for sair

in the quieter parts of his vast family estate.

"You just got back, and you can't even givea hug before ditching me?" Arthur feigned hurt, his deep voice laced with mock

indignation.

Karen couldn't help but chuckle, comforting her man with a heart full of affection, "How can | resist when | love you so much? I'll

have to endure."

As she gently ruffled Arthur's hair, it felt like petting a big, friendly dog.

Arthur, cheered by her words, suggested with a softer tone, "If it's too hot out here, how about we cool off with a swim? I've just

had a pool added behind the house. What do you think?"

Karen blinked, sensing a hint of mischief in his suggestion, her lips parting slightly to respond...

"Arthur!" Alyssa called out elegantly as she approached, with Kate following in a flowing violet dress. Karen hadn't even opened

her mouth when Alyssa intercepted, a flush of embarrassment coloring her cheeks as she faced Arthur, "I just stepped out of the

ballroom for sfresh air and, turning the corner, was so thrilled to see you here. With our history, | just forgot to greet you

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properly... How awkward of me."

Clutching the hem of her white dress, Alyssa's discomfort was palpable.

The reality was, Alyssa and Kate had almost scoured the entire Linklater property before finding Arthur, arriving with a sheen of

perspiration from their search.

Kate, picking up on Alyssa's embarrassment, also turned away, "Running into this situation in broad daylight, how terribly

awkward."

With two mentions of awkwardness, Karen lifted her chin slightly, her lips curling in a gentle smile, "I thought syoung lady had

wandered in by mistake. But seeing as we're about the sage, there's no need for awkwardness. Since you know my husband,

please, take a seat. There are two chairs right over there."

Her gesture was effortless, embodying the grace of a gracious hostess.

Arthur's brow furrowed, slightly annoyed that their peaceful moment was disturbed, "What's there to be awkward about? We're all

adults here. A little display of affection shouldn't make anyone squirm."

Alyssa's face stiffened, her nails digging into her palms. She hadn't expected Arthur to highlight her age, given the lengths she

went to maintain her youth with premium skincare and regular visits to the best beauty clinics. Her, old? Karen's few words had

effortlessly sown discord in her long-standing relationship with Arthur.

Arthur, puzzled by the mention of a long-standing relationship, thought, "Where's all this coming from? My life's been on the

battlefield. What years-long relationship are we talking about?"

Kate, too, was irked but what could she say? Even if she was younger than Karen, it wasn't by much. From the moment she walked

in, Kate had scrutinized Karen, finding her even more beautiful and well-preserved despite her travels and having a daughter. It

was infuriating.

Reluctantly, the two women settled into the armchairs provided.

Alyssa, trying to regain her composure, smiled sweetly at Arthur, "It's been a while, Arthur. You look even more dashing now. Your

victories on the battlefield are the talk of the town."

Arthur responded noncommittally, hardly impressed by a compliment he'd heard a thousand times before.

The conversation turned awkward as Kate mentioned Alyssa's undying affection for Arthur, hinting at their childhood connection.

Arthur, however, showed little interest, his thoughts wandering off to sleep.

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Karen, on the other hand, listened with amusement, snuggled comfortably in Arthur's embrace, her eyes sparkling with interest.

Kate, unable to contain her disdain, directly addressed Karen, "You might have sbeauty, but Alyssa here is a Wright from

Rivenwood—a significant step above anything the Linklater family could match."

Karen, unfazed, responded with a radiant smile, "Oh, is that so? And here | thought we were all just people, not titles or estates."

The air thickened with tension, Alyssa's pride clashing with Karen's simplicity, a stark reminder of the complex web of social

standings and unspoken rules that governed their world.

Kate's eyes shimmered with smugness. "Did you hear that? In what way are you better than Alyssa? If Alyssa becomes the War

God's wife, she would be his greatest support, a beauty with brains! Do you dare to compete with Alyssa in music, art, literature,

and chess?"

Arthur radiated a chilling aura, his heart pounding with anger. "Match for him? As if!"

"Who | marry is none of your business!"

"My Karen is the best match in the world!"

"And how dare you say you're better than my wife? | doubt you could even hold a candle to her!"

"Beat Karen, then cback and talk nonsense!"

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The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

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