The Million-Dollar Heart

Jeffrey felt a pang of embarrassment somehow. After all, painting was his pride and joy, his claim to fame.

But now, having been publicly called out by Vivienne for plagiarism, he also faced the mortifying task of confessing this to his parents. It was the ultimate disgrace.

As Heloise and Fiona watched him with piercing gazes, Jeff's irritation boiled over into anger, "So I copied Vivienne's painting, then what? How was I supposed to know she was Eulalia? If I had known, I wouldn't have copied it!"

"Plagiarism?" Heloise looked bewildered. "How did plagiarism come into this?"

She believed in her son's talent. Though she was no art connoisseur, Jeff's paintings were always a delight to the eye.

Jeffrey explained the whole fiasco to her.

Heloise's brows knitted together in an instant, "It's just a painting! Why is she being so aggressive? She's marrying into the Ellington family, for heaven's sake. Does making us pushovers do good to her?" Fiona glanced at her and then settled herself on the couch, saying coolly, "I don't know what good she wants get. But we must pay the money."

Heloise was instantly resistant, "The money is ours. If we don't want to pay, what's she going to do? Twist our arms?"

This wasn't just a million or two.

Handing the ten billion would leave their family penniless.

Jeffrey nodded in agreement, "Exactly! We're not paying. What can she possibly do about it?"

Fiona's eyes flickered with a chill. "So, you want to let them shut down the galleries?" she retorted.

"It's just a few galleries; if they close, they close!" Judith dismissed the concern. "Worst comes to worst, I'll just open new ones for my son!"

Fiona scoffed derisively, "Huh. If you want to see my brother ruined, then don't pay."

Heloise wasn't listening. The thought of handing ten billion to someone else made her physically uncomfortable. "I don't care; there's no way I'm parting with that money," she stated.

could open countless galleries. I won't let Percival and

had been silently listening to the conversation, cup in hand. "Dad, what do

set down his cup, "I agree with your mother. We're all blood relatives here and Percival's been chosen as the heir by the old man himself.

smile, "Even if it means risking

"What do you mean?"

and handed it to Henry, "I found this in Percival's room. He's investigating you! Dad, what do you think Grandpa would do if he found out you've been evading taxes and swapping quality

Henry stiffened.

throw him in jail. Or worse, he would disinherit their branch from the Ellington! After a moment, Henry

they gave up the money so easily, what would become of

it weren't for your foolish plagiarism stunt, we

the money. Besides, they have

have no case! They'll find everything if they start

"Honey?" Heloise sounded worried.

temporary. In the end, it'll all come back to us." Henry soothed her. Heloise had been with Henry long enough to trust him

she too nodded in

Jeffrey couldn't help but

few words could convince his parents to give up a large

siding with

was powerless to stop

days later, Calista was discharged from the

the family to

was busy with Percival, playing

at school

perked up considerably over the past few

Scott's announcement, Vivienne

welcome party without

see Calista striding in alongside Scott, head held high like a proud