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.

have you heard of Noah?" Vivienne

"Noah? Yorick's

"That's him. Do you know

really, just had a few dealings with 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 well aware of

I've heard a lot of people at Vanguard Agency were trained by him. He can't be that strange," Vivienne

deserves the respect. Unlike Yorick, who was eager to climb the ranks, Noah never chased power. He would decline promotions, saying he preferred to be on the front lines. That's admirable. But he seems to have

warrior lineages?" "Yes, he's been

fought to

the ancient warrior lineages to take charge, not like Vance, who wants to

of the ancient warrior lineage, so why would he want them

up, I lost touch with Noah. All I know is

had always been two factions within the Vanguard

defense and included families like the Martinez family, who supplied the Agency with

special squad, like Vance and Micah, who also provided

for years, each holding sway and influencing major decisions. They worked independently,

on Percival's position and why Leopold could easily join the

bring up Noah?"

piece on the board,

by the conversation. He looked down at the board,