The Million-Dollar Heart

In the study, Diana had already prepared a cup of coffee for Jasper, waiting in the silent room for his arrival.

As soon as Jasper stepped in, he noticed the red rims around Diana's eyes, a clear sign of her guilt about the day's earlier events.

Jasper had always been stern with the boys in the household, quick to wield his walking stick when they stepped out of line. But with the girls, it was a different story; he rarely had a harsh word to say.

It was not just out of a fondness for Sasha, who had gone missing long ago. He simply believed that girls were to be cherished.

Even when Natalia and Yasmine, the mischievous ones, had nearly shaved off their eyebrows with Maddox's razor, he had only chuckled and playfully tapped them on the head.

He had never laid a finger in anger on Diana, too.

Today, however, Jasper was truly upset.

He had raised Diana; he knew her every mood and thought. How could he not see what was on her mind?

Diana didn't take kindly to Vivienne and was not particularly fond of Natalia and Yasmine either. He was well aware of that.

"Dad," Diana said, her voice breaking as tears spilled over.

Normally, Jasper would have handed her a tissue or teased gently, "What's got my little girl crying this time?"

But not today. He sat down heavily in his chair, his usual warmth replaced by a brooding silence.

After a while, Diana stopped crying and hung her head in silence.

words laden

Dracon had bought a fake. I was

the Linklaters, would never stoop to giving fake gifts. There are plenty of treasures in our family that could outshine the Rainbow Opal. What angers me is how you

animosity towards her?" Jasper tapped his

Vivienne had saved Yorick at the Linklaters' estate. "That day,

him all about Vivienne!" Jasper's voice was heavy with disappointment. "Diana, how would Dracon know about Vivienne being the Specter Healer if you hadn't

They had been inseparable in their youth and remained close in their

was, would certainly have known Vivienne's true identity. Nothing that happened within the Linklater family escaped his notice, including Diana's slander about Vivienne to Dracon. Dracon had bluntly revealed

had done, she knew she was in trouble,

tone and sighed deeply. "Diana, I know you feel threatened by Vivienne's arrival. You're scared of losing your place in my heart or being driven out

have raised you all

eyes brimmed with tears as she

out another sigh, his voice turning gentle. "You, Sasha, Willa - I've never shown favoritism. I may have been preoccupied with finding Sasha, but I've never neglected you. I've prepared your wedding

eyes flickered with

mind, don't do this again. I treat all my

"I understand,

some rest. And don't let this happen

left the study, pausing at the door, her