The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Percival watched Vivienne disappear into the building before starting his car and driving away.

Along the drive, he dialed Thomas.

“Check out the Perez family. Don’t miss a soul, not even a pet—especially those who've passed on or gone missing. No stone unturned,” he instructed with a sense of urgency.

Thomas did not ask for details, simply acknowledging the order before hanging up.

Despite comforting Vivienne earlier, Percival could not shake his doubts. If it had anything to do with the Perez family, Vivienne was inevitably entangled in the web.

After all, the person who tampered with Vivienne’s paternity test was still at large.

The next day, Percival parked outside Vivienne’s place before the crack of dawn, and she soon emerged, surprisingly skipping her usual lie-in.

“Mom whipped up sfusion breakfast for you. Give it a go,” Percival said, handing her a food container as she climbed into the car. Inside was a twist on the classic: buttery English muffins stuffed with fried eggs, accompanied by slices of tomato.

Vivienne took a bite, pleasantly surprised by the flavor.

“Did your mom make this?” she asked between bites.

Percival sighed. “Sort of. She cut the muffins herself, but Dad had to fry the eggs. Last tmom tried, she turned the eggs into charcoal.” Vivienne could picture it all too well; after all, she had her own culinary disasters. Her mother had to ban her from the kitchen before she finally gave up. a They arrived at the Perez Mansion to the sound of crying—but it was not Natalia or Yasmine, nor was it Zelda.

Walking in, the sight of a flashy sports car in the driveway gave it all away.

Maddox was here, along with a woman, judging by the weeping. Maddox was not the one crying, that was for sure.

Zelda was outside, perfecting her strawberry cake recipe, finally mastering the art of separating whites from yolks. She halted Vivienne at the door.

“What's going on?” Vivienne inquired.

“Wait out here a sec. It’s quite the scene inside. Been crying since sunrise,” Zelda said, evidently annoyed by the commotion.

Zelda was usually easygoing, never showing disdain or giving anyone the cold shoulder. Whoever was causing such a reaction must have been quite the handful.

Respecting Zelda's hint, Vivienne sat in the yard, watching as Zelda continued her battle or rather, her study of cream ratios.

Soon, a familiar voice called from the gate.

“Is that my darling niece? | saw your car! I've been waiting!” Zelda looked up, “Your Uncle Maddox's here. He's been hollering about seeing you. | told him you'd be by today, and that’s the only thing that calmed him down. Man, he’s annoying.” Though Zelda spoke with a hint of exasperation, her smile starkly contrasted with the sobbing inside.

Maddox approached Vivienne with a bouquet and an assortment of pastries, saying, “Long tno see. Missed your uncle?” “Sure have,” Vivienne replied with a smile, reaching for the flowers only to have Percival intercept them.

No way he was going to let Vivienne accept another man’s flowers, family or not.

Maddox looked on with approval. “Ah, you've got my spirit! A jealous man is a good man!” Yuri, who could not take any more, said, “Maddox, that’s enough. Go inside and make yourself useful before folks think there's a real tragedy in our family.” Zelda nodded. “Yeah, Maddox, cut the act and help out.” Maddox sighed. “Zelda, that cake will never get done at this rate!” Zelda nearly splattered the not-quite-right cream all over Maddox in frustration.

Luckily for him, he was quick on his feet.

Vivienne could not help but laugh. Maddox was nothing like a typical older brother.

Within a minute of Maddox entering the house, the crying stopped, and out he cwith a woman pushing Jasper in his wheelchair, a smile blooming on Jasper’s face at the sight of Vivienne. “Vivienne, chere. | want you to meet someone.” As Vivienne approached, Jasper introduced the woman behind him, “This is Diana Perez, my goddaughter, a few years younger than Sasha. Diana, meet Vivienne.” Diana stepped forward and embraced Vivienne warmly. “Vivienne, I'm Auntie Diana. | wanted to visit you in Sea City, but Maddox said you were busy. I'm glad | finally met you.” Vivienne bristled at the sudden intimacy from a stranger, but in Jasper’s presence, she held her tongue.

“Nice to meet you, Auntie Diana,” she greeted, noting Diana's red eyes from crying.

Holding Vivienne’s hand affectionately as though she were her niece, Diana remarked, “You've grown into such a beauty, Vivienne. You really do resemble Sasha.”Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

Maddox pulled Vivienne aside and said, “Diana, you were six when Sasha was around. Do you really remember her that well?” “Of course, | was six, not a baby. Plus, there are photos of Sasha all over the house. How could | forget?” Diana retorted before sitting by Jasper, “Dad, look at Maddox always picking on me.” Jasper lightly tapped Maddox with his cane. “Stop bullying your sister.” Maddox did not respond but handed Vivienne back to Percival, adding, “Take care of your woman. You can’t let just anyone touch her.” Diana’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Maddox's words were too specific.

Percival stepped in with a chuckle, protecting Vivienne close to his side.

It was not that he disliked Diana; he just knew Vivienne was uncomfortable with strangers getting too close.

Diana’s hugs and hand-holding were a bit too much and eager, and he could tell it was making his girl uneasy.

Jasper rolled his eyes at Maddox, fully aware of his sons’ less-than-warm attitudes towards Diana.

Despite the years, they never seemed to change, and no amount of talking did any good.

He could not quite put his finger on what Maddox did not like about Diana.

“Vivienne, I've brought you a little something,” Maddox said as he reached into his car and pulled out a gift box, handing it over to Vivienne.

Inside was a jeweled hairpin, exquisitely crafted, with clearly top-notch stones.

A knowing smile spread across Vivienne’s face. “I love it.” She lifted the hairpin, feeling its weight, and upon closer inspection, she discovered a hidden blade! “Keep it with you. These vintage styles are making a comeback, and you'll look stunning with this,” Maddox said with a grin.

Yuri had briefed Maddox about the mysterious note and Vesper. This gift to Vivienne was more than just an accessory; it was a means of self-defense.