The Million-Dollar Heart

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 some fusion 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 time mom 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.

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.

going on?"

here a sec. It's quite the scene inside. Been crying since sunrise," Zelda said,

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

hint, Vivienne sat in the yard, watching as Zelda

voice called from the

darling niece? I saw your car!

here. He's been hollering about seeing you. I 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

a bouquet and an assortment of pastries,

with a smile, reaching for the flowers only to have Percival

way he was going to let Vivienne

my spirit! A

take any more, said, "Maddox, that's enough. Go inside and make yourself

Maddox, cut the act

"Zelda, that cake will never get done

not-quite-right cream all over Maddox in

for him, he was quick on

laugh. Maddox was nothing

a woman pushing Jasper in his wheelchair, a smile blooming on Jasper's face at the sight of

Diana Perez, my goddaughter, a few

warmly. "Vivienne, I'm Auntie Diana. I wanted to visit you in Sea City, but Maddox said you were busy. I'm glad I finally

from a stranger, but

Auntie Diana," she greeted, noting Diana's red eyes from

though she were her niece, Diana remarked, "You've grown into such a beauty,