The Million-Dollar Heart

At the top of the family tree sat the matriarch of the Boyd family, the iron-willed and formidable Wendy Boyd. Below her name were the names of her descendants: Cecilia's eldest brother, Theodore Boyd; her second brother, Hayden Boyd; and her younger sister, Eliza Boyd.

Then came the names of their children. Theodore's son, Yannick Boyd, and daughter, Margot Boyd; Hayden's daughter, Mara Boyd, and son, Huxley Boyd.

It was noted that Eliza had no children.

Cecilia drew a line through Eliza's name and sighed, "They say her husband died in a tragic accident. Now she's living back home under our mother's wing, the apple of her eye."

Vivienne could see a veil of resentment and a touch of sorrow in Cecilia's eyes.

Taking a moment, Cecilia resumed, "Years ago, my mother tried to trick Nathan into marrying Eliza. She lured him to a hotel room under my name and... drugged him, planning to set them up in a compromising situation. Luckily, Nathan sensed something was off and escaped before their scheme could come to fruition.

Despite that, my brothers detained him, insisting he marry Eliza anyway. Only when your grandfather, Richard, the patriarch of the Ellington family, came to our estate and declared in front of everyone that I was the bride they had chosen. He stated plainly that if the Boyd family attempted to substitute another bride, the Ellingtons would call off the union. That's how I was finally able to marry Nathan."

Vivienne was taken aback by the dramatic tale of the Boyd family's intrigue.

No wonder Nathan spoke of them with such disdain.

Cecilia grasped Vivienne's hand tightly, her voice heavy, "Ever since I was young, my mother had little affection for me. After Eliza was born, she could barely stand me. I was treated worse than a gardener at the estate. It wasn't until I met Percival's father, Nathan, at Rivenwood during my studies that I experienced what it felt like to be truly cherished. But when my family discovered your uncle was the heir to the Ellington estate, they tried to pull a bait and switch, replacing me with Eliza as the bride.

After a whole saga, we managed to avert disaster, but from that day on, my family turned even colder towards me. Even Percival wasn't spared from their disdain. After our daughter Isolde was born, I never returned to my family home. Percival maintained some business ties with his uncles, though.

This time, they insisted Percival return, hinting at him marrying some lady from another family. We'd already refused, but they wouldn't relent. So, I'm giving you this ring to let everyone in the Boyd family know that you are the bride I've chosen, the new matriarch of the Boyd family!"

Vivienne chuckled after hearing the story. So that was why Cecilia entrusted her with such an important ring-to back her up.

In a family that valued tradition and symbols like the ring, it carried immense weight. With it, even if the Boyd family disapproved of her, they could not just send her away. They might even have to bend to her will.

need the Ellingtons to stand up for her,

enough to even lay a

you," Vivienne promised, touching the ring on her finger. "I'll

smiled back, "Remember, you're an Ellington now. You don't have

warmth flickered in

and you mustn't get separated from Percival." Vivienne nodded, though she knew she

Vivienne's finger and understood Cecilia's intentions. The Ellington family bid Percival and Vivienne farewell with a touch of

At the Perez Mansion.

out his

heading out on a

ways of finding

our turf, you can do as you please. I'll have someone there to

visit, Jasper had already sent word to the family estate to prepare

Vivienne said with a

I should be thanking you for delivering

of CK, but the leads had dried up at

never once showing his face in

mole from within the ranks of the Ellingtons. However, despite their thorough investigations, they could

it turned

before the Perez family, Jasper's reaction was a

had anticipated. She had uncovered what the Perez family had failed