The Million-Dollar Heart

Seeing Jasper looking glum, Zelda could not help but offer some words of comfort. "Dad, I know each child is dear to you, just like Natalia and Yasmine. I always try to be fair, too. But respect is earned. Diana hasn't even apologized to Vivienne yet. Instead, she's playing the victim. How can we not complain?

Besides, you've been nothing but good to Diana over the years. Whatever others have, she has too, and often more. It's her own lack of gratitude that's the problem."

Jasper knew in his heart that Zelda was not one to make a fuss. Raised in the affluent Lynette family, she was not inclined to pettiness or suspicion.

Her words now were a sign of genuine anger and disappointment towards Diana.

"Alas, Diana's temperament isn't as adaptable as the others. She only had Willa to play with when she was little, and Willa was quite the ice queen herself. If Sasha were around, Diana might not have turned out so reclusive..." Jasper made a feeble excuse, but it was enough for the moment.

Zelda gave a wry smile, saying nothing more. She knew all too well that a father's heart always aches for his daughters.

Just then, Natalia and Yasmine came running in, laughing out loud. "Grandpa, Vivienne's here!"

At the mention of Vivienne, Jasper sprang from his recliner and hurried to welcome her.

Zelda shook her head in mild exasperation. "Dad, slow down. Vivienne keeps telling you to take it easy."

Jasper usually took Vivienne's words as gospel, but now, eager to greet her, he cast caution to the wind.

"Vivienne, have you eaten yet? I thought you were not coming until tomorrow. I haven't prepared anything special," Jasper chatted affectionately with Vivienne.

Vivienne stayed by Jasper's side all day, from morning till night, joining them for all three meals.

The Perez family was overjoyed. Vivienne's visits were usually brief, just long enough for a meal, but today, it felt like she had truly come home.

After dinner, Vivienne joined Jasper for a game of chess in the yard.

heard of Noah?" Vivienne

"Noah? Yorick's

him. Do

him. The guy's a bit of an oddball. We don't play along... I mean, we couldn't work together." Jasper's face was a study of conflicting emotions as he tried

chuckled. She was well aware of Jasper's

lot of people at Vanguard Agency were trained by him. He can't be that

never chased power. He would decline promotions, saying he preferred to be

a flicker of doubt in her eyes as she asked, "He's interested in the ancient warrior lineages?" "Yes, he's been trying to merge the ancient warrior lineages with the internal factions of

realized something and said, "So he fought to protect Vance because they

head slightly. "He wants the ancient warrior lineages to take charge, not like Vance, who wants to kick them out

ancient warrior lineage,

with Noah. All I

two factions within the Vanguard

was the ancient warrior lineage, which focused on defense and included families like the Martinez family, who supplied the

Agency special squad, like Vance and

holding sway and

could decide on Percival's position and why Leopold could

you bring up Noah?" Jasper

the

by the conversation. He looked down at