The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne's cheeks were flushed, yet she didn't seem inclined to pull away.

Just as their hands were about to touch, a ringtone broke the moment.

Percival was visibly annoyed. "Who is it now?" Vivienne picked up her phone, showing him the caller ID, "It's my dad." Percival just sighed.

As soon as the call was connected, Arthur's voice cthrough, trying to sound cheerful. "Honey, don't forget we have a family dinner tonight. Make sure you're here." Vivienne acknowledged with a hum, ready to end the call, but then heard Arthur add, "Wait, don't hang up..." "What is it now?" Arthur sounded like he was wrestling with his conscience. "Your granddad asked if, um, your friend could also come." Percival raised an eyebrow. Friend? Was that his title now? Arthur continued, sounding slightly bitter, "Just letting you know, it was your grandfather's idea, not mine. I never agreed to let him set foot in this house." Vivienne pinched the bridge of her nose, "We're already married, dad. Your approval isn't exactly crucial now." Arthur was caught off guard.

He couldn't let his daughter get swept away over a guy, but he caved in a second, "I was just pulling your leg. He can cif he wants. I won't stop him." "And honey, what do you want to eat tomorrow? I'll cook..." Vivienne hung up before he could finish.

She wasn't ready to let the dread of tomorrow's menu overshadow her day, not when the stress of it felt more daunting than undergoing surgery ten times over.

Holding hands, they headed towards the car.

Thinking about the evening's plans, Vivienne asked, "Mr. Wolf, are you free tonight?" "Absolutely!" Percival was quick to respond, "It's my first official visit as part of the family. I'll need to bring a few gifts, aside from dressing up for the occasion." Vivienne couldn't help but laugh, "You've met them before. Why do you sound like a nervous bride meeting her in-laws for the first time?" Percival squeezed her hand gently, "I just want your dad to think well of me, to officially give us his blessing." "He wouldn't dare object!" Vivienne was confident.

Percival's smile carried a hint of mischief, "Then I'll use this opportunity to talk about setting a wedding date." On the way, Vivienne called her friend Matthew to dig into the Rama family's past overseas, hoping to unearth sclues.

She also filled Percival in, so he'd be in the loop.

Percival texted his buddy Thomas, asking him to keep an eye on local matters, preparing for all eventualities.

That evening, Percival arrived at the Linklater residence on time, Vivienne leading him by the hand.

Arthur and Sasha were in the living room.

Sasha greeted them warmly, "You're here." Percival greeted her as usual, "Master." And then turned to Arthur, saying, "Father-in-law," managing to turn Arthur's frown even deeper.

Sasha chuckled, "Still calling'master' after getting married?" Percival was about to say "Mom" when Arthur, looking utterly scandalized, shouted, "Don't you dare change what you call me! I do not approve!" Being married meant nothing to him; as long as there wasn't a wedding, his precious daughter was still his.

Arthur couldn't bear the thought of his beloved daughter, whom he had cherished for so many years, being taken away so easily. Vivienne, ignoring Arthur's protests, coolly took a seat. "He's not calling you anything different. What's it to you?" Arthur was at a loss for words.

His daughter wasn't siding with him, and he felt wronged and upset. "It's not okay... You've just recognized us, and now, srandom guy is taking you away." Random guy? Percival wondered if he was ever going to be anything more than that in Arthur's eyes.

Sasha, accustomed to the family , invited Percival to sit, dismissing Arthur's sulking, "Ignore him. He's just upset about Frost leaving the nest so soon. He can't get over it." Percival understood, but he couldn't grasp why, as a son-in-law, he had to relive the hardships Arthur faced with the Perez family.

Vivienne didn't want to engage further with Arthur.

Since their marriage, Arthur had been either clinging to her mom or experimenting with his culinary disasters in the kitchen, treating the rekindling of their father-daughter relationship as his life's mission.

Content belongs to en.swñovelsThe transformation from a war hero to a domestic chef was a narrative she found hard to believe.

Sensing his daughter's dissatisfaction and seeing his wife and Percival getting along made Arthur retreat to a corner of the sofa, eyeing Percival with a mix of resentment and jealousy.

Vivienne, deciding to ignore Arthur's mood, looked around the empty hall and quipped to Sasha, "Grandpa mentioned a family dinner, but it seems we're a few guests short." Sasha replied nonchalantly, "Your granddad is upstairs. Dracon went to pick up your aunt from the hospital. They'll be back soon." Vivienne smirked coldly, "So the nearly buried can recover that quickly." This dinner was nothing but a pretense cloaked in familial bonds, an attempt to smooth over deeper issues.

As Dracon and Hailey entered, the contrast between the lively chatter inside and their arrival couldn't have been starker, highlighting their status as outsiders in what was supposed to be a warm family scene.

Dracon's eyes were filled with resentment.

Ever since Arthur returned, Draconfelt his place in the family diminishing. He had hoped Arthur would move out after marrying, especially since he and Hector were rarely home. But Arthur had settled in comfortably, disrupting Dracon's sense of control over the tinklater household. Content belongs to en.swThe last tJason conspired with Alyssa to set up Sasha, he nearly got himself kicked out of the group.

And yet, that person was still pestering him for the item.

Now, he was even more cautious, fearing that a single misstep would tip off Arthur to his schemes.

Hailey observed Dracon's expression closely, a glint of opportunity flashing in her eyes before turning her gaze towards Yorick, who sat at the head of the table, and spoke with a feigned weakness.

"Bro, I'm back." Yorick glanced up, acknowledging Hailey with a cool "hm." Hailey's face fell, her eyes momentarily darkening. Clutching her left cheek, she said with a sorrowful tone, "Bro, the doctor said the nerve in my ear got damaged. It's pretty bad; I might end up with permanent damage." Content belongs to en.swHer glance slid towards Vivienne, the implication clear as day.

"In that case, you should probably head back to the hospital and rest up. Wouldn't want to risk going deaf if you neglect it!" Arthur retorted instantly.

Permanent damage? He thought, if anyone dared to harm his daughter, being spared a trip to the ICU was already showing mercy.

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