The Million-Dollar Heart

Vivienne cradled her mug of steaming coffee, the vaporous tendrils partially veiling her eyes, adding a touch of mystery to her gaze.

Diana's message to Vivienne was crystal clear: "Remember your place. You're nothing more than an adopted granddaughter, not even by blood. Don't get too comfortable thinking you're one of us." She was staking her claim as the Perez family's one and only darling daughter, warning Vivienne to stay in her lane.

How ironic. Who was really trying to prove they belong?

Vivienne chuckled. "I've never been one to hold back around Grandpa. You needn't worry on my behalf."

Diana let out a few forced laughs, sipping her coffee to mask her insecurity.

This Vivienne, she was certainly not one to mince words!

When Zelda and Percival arrived, the dinner table buzzed with their lively conversation. Diana, often finding herself on the periphery, could only offer a strained smile. The meal passed with her in relative silence.

When it came time to settle the bill, Percival, the only gentleman present, had already discreetly taken care of it. It would not do to have the ladies pay.

Diana, pleased but pretending to chide, said, "I said this one was on me. Next time, you mustn't sneak ahead of me."

Zelda rolled her eyes in private disdain. She could not stand Diana's pettiness.

A meal's cost was hardly worth remembering, was it not?

With the evening advancing, Zelda and Diana bid farewell to Vivienne and Percival.

On the drive back, Percival mentioned, "Leopold's headed to Sea City to take over for Thomas. He's already on his way."

Vivienne acknowledged with a nonchalant, "Expected."

Percival, hands on the wheel, was still puzzling over Vance's agenda. What was he really after?

of the mission, and neither Leopold

Leopold to assist Griffin... Could it be related to the ancient warrior lineage?"

The recent events were complex, but undeniably, everything seemed to revolve around this ancient warrior lineage. Just how deep did the waters of this enigmatic, vast organization

up to Vivienne's place, headlights flashed from the opposite direction-a car she recognized as

glance, neither expecting Maddox to show up

approached the car, "Uncle, what brings

"Get

seriousness, drove off after watching Vivienne join

them to a posh, unfamiliar villa neighborhood, searching for a bit before

are

so we let it go to waste. Ah, but I remember the house number and the code," Maddox

had been vacant for a while, with furniture covered in dust

in the fridge. Maybe I should've brought a case of Coke,"

bothered. "What's up, Uncle? What did you need to

in before speaking, "Vivienne, you're aware of the paternity test you took

I know. There was no

with that test. Someone tampered with it, but I haven't found evidence yet. So today, your Uncle Yuri took another sample

wouldn't be here." Maddox's brows were furrowed,

nodded, her expression

altered long ago, and only one person could match her DNA-Scott

Jasper's flesh and blood, they could

I don't accept this result. I've got people investigating the

his determination, Vivienne asked, "Why are you so convinced the test result