The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

When Maddox spoke of Diana, the disdain in his eyes was impossible to miss.

Vivienne blinked in confusion. “Wasn't she just six years old at the time? How could she possibly be involved in my mother’s disappearance?” Yuri leaned back into the sofa, his eyebrows knit together in concern. “Don’t be fooled by her age. She's cunning.

Even as a child, she knew how to compete for Dad's affection, particularly against Sasha. I've seen her glaring at Sasha with such spite. And on the day Sasha vanished, nobody else was at home, just Sasha and Diana. When we returned, Diana was asleep in the garden, clutching one of Sasha’s sneakers.

She claimed Sasha had given them to her, but Sasha was ten at the time. How could her shoes possibly fit Diana? I've always suspected Diana saw whoever took Sasha, but she denies it. And why would they abduct Sasha and leave Diana? They were both from the Perez family; taking just one doesn’t make sense.” The more Maddox spoke, the tighter his fists clenched. “And then there's Willa. She was practically adopted by our family, about the sage as your mom, and she was supposed to be your future auntie through marriage with me. Everything was fine until she suddenly discovered she was a child of F-Poison. Before she found out, | had no idea.

Diana and Willa were thick as thieves, and I've always suspected that Diana spilled the beans to Willa. But Willa never admitted it and insisted on running away from home. She never even agreed to date me.” Vivienne pressed her lips.

Not yet agreed to date Maddox, and Willa was already the future auntie? But Willa, a child of F-Poison? “Uncle, I've met F-Poison. It was a woman, quite young, a few years junior to Mr. Wolf. How could she be Auntie Willa’s mother?” Vivienne asked, puzzled.

Maddox shook his head. “The F-Poison I'm talking about B man. If he’s still alive, he'd be older than your grandfather. The person you're talking about isn’t the same.” “Could it be that the title of F-Poison has been passed down? The F-Poison I've encountered and the one involved in my mom’s abduction aren’t the sperson?” “It's possible. RST itself has split into two factions, CK and GTO. We always thought F-Poison would remain with CK'since it’s been underground for years. But it seems he can’t let go of his vile virus research.” Surprise flickered in Vivienne’s eyes. No wonder Flynn Ellington managed to strike a deal with GTO; they were all in the scamp.

She had underestimated Flynn.

“Where did the original F-Poison go? Does Flynn know?” Given that Flynn was the boss of CK and had collaborated with the current F-Poison, he must surely know where the original F-Poison had gone.

Maddox shook his head again. “Flynn only mentioned that F-Poison was his mentor. He did not say much else, stubborn as a mule. No wonder he calls that man his mentor; they're all a bunch of freaks.” He quickly corrected himself. “I don’t mean Percival is a freak; it’s just anyone related to F-Poison, excluding your future auntie, of course.” Vivienne felt like she was on an emotional roller coaster. Taking a moment to compose herself, she asked, “Uncle, could you arrange forto meet Flynn?” If Flynn was F-Poison’s disciple, he might know the truth about Karen's disappearance.

If she could coax even a few words of truth from him, the investigation into Diana might not be so cumbersome.

“Sure, I'll arrange it, but be careful. | always feel that Flynn's a bit twisted, unlike the other Ellingtons, who are just foolish and greedy. He's a different story.” “Okay, I'll be careful, Uncle. And you should be, too. If Diana is indeed up to something, then she must have an accomplice, and it's no small player.” Vivienne had a hunch that if Diana was involved, the bomb on the Ashford family’s cruise ship was probably connected to her, too! Maddox's voice grew heavy. “Vivienne, | have a favor to ask of you, and you must help me!” “Uncle, just tellwhat it is. If | can help, | will. If not, we'll get Percival to do it. Don’t be so formal,” Vivienne said, half-jokingly feeling Maddox was about to bow down to her.

Maddox's expression was earnest as he looked at Vivienne. “Please, helpfind your future auntie. | can’t find any trace of her, and she won't contact me. I'm at my wit’s end.” Vivienne nearly choked on her bite of duck.

Oh, the things love does to a man.

Just like her dear Mr. Wolf.

“Alright, alright, I'll help. Just giveall the information about Auntie Willa, and I'll see what I can do.” “It's not about seeing what you can do; you must find her. Willa might be out there, hungry and cold. I'm worried sick,” Maddox sighed deeply, his mind racing with concern.

Vivienne shook her head, now somewhat intrigued by this woman who had captured the heart of the notorious playboy, Maddox.

What kind of woman could make Maddox so preoccupied? But finding Willa would not be easy. Having grown up in the Perez family, she must have learned a trick or two, and her ability to evade pursuit was likely second to none.

Maddox was going to have to wait a bit longer.

In the dead of night at the sprawling Perez Mansion, Diana slipped out quietly, fired up her car, and drove away.

Following her GPS, she parked her car in the upscale neighborhood of Rivenwood in front of a stately villa.

She glanced around, turned off her headlights, and flicked on her flashlight, tapping on a front door.

“It's Diana, open up,” she announced with a hint of impatience.

The door swung open to reveal a brightly lit interior.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

“Why on earth did you summonat this ungodly hour? If someone catches wind of this, do you realize you're putting my neck on the line?” Diana complained as she stepped inside.

The villas living room was occupied by a single woman, sitting with her back to Diana, a decanter of aged red wine on the table.

Hearing Diana's grievance, the woman chuckled. “If | wanted you dead, Ms. Perez, | wouldn't have waited this long. Why so bitter?” Diana clamped her mouth shut and settled onto a sofa, her demeanor softening, “Alright, spill it. What's so important that it couldn't wait?” The woman turned around, revealing herself to be no other than Gillian Ashford! “It's a matter of urgency, of course.” Gillian approached, setting down her wine glass. She pulled out a paternity test report from a drawer and placed it before Diana. “Take a look for yourself.” Vivienne's genetic profile had been tampered with, ensuring that any test would exclude Scott as a biological relative.

But for someone like her, this was not a challenge.