The Million-Dollar Heart

Outside the quaint suburban house, Natalia and Yasmine tapped softly on the door before poking their heads inside. "Grandpa, Uncle Luke, and Uncle Fredrick are here, and they're in the backyard bawling their eyes out."

"They're wailing so pitifully. I swear Auntie Karen's about to be hugged to death! Oh, and they keep asking for Vivienne." Vivienne rubbed her neck, contemplating how overwhelming family affection could sometimes feel like asphyxiation!

As they stepped out of the study, they were greeted by a chorus of sobs that could rival any opera.

Through his tears, Luke cried, "Oh, Sasha, my little Sasha, look how you've grown! I've been waiting for you to come home!"

Fredrick joined in, his voice choked with emotion, "Sasha, oh Sasha! I can finally lay eyes on you again. You have no idea how much I've missed you! You were so small when you left, and I haven't slept well since!"

Karen had one brother clinging to each arm, her face a mask of resignation as she glanced helplessly at Maddox and Yuri.

"Guys, a little help here?"

Maddox feigned ignorance. "I don't see anything!"

Yuri chimed in, "Hang in there, Sasha. I'm powerless here!"

"Luke, Fredrick, I get it, you're emotional. But we've got guests. Maybe stand up for now?" Karen suggested, patting their shoulders.

Luke and Fredrick shook their heads in unison. "No way. It's been years since I've seen my little sis. I can't just walk away."

"Exactly, let me have a good look at you. You're finally back."

Karen was torn between exasperation and amusement, then reassured them, "I'm not going anywhere again, guys. You can see me whenever you want from now on!"

Luke's wife, Carmen Pendleton, finally intervened, "Luke, enough is enough, move it!"

Fredrick's wife, Alice Churchill, though gentle, had a firmness to her words. "Fredrick, come on, get up, will you? If you don't, I might just twist your arm off."

cleared the way, leaving room for their spouses

resemblance and similar temperaments. Maddox and Yuri could not contain their laughter, imitating their sisters-in-law, which earned them a glare from each brother. Karen's gaze brightened as she looked at Carmen and

Zelda had been but still bending in a

"Boss, you're finally back!"

What was

exchanged puzzled looks,

a whisper, Jasper asked Vivienne, "Are your aunts,

so it's not

turning his gaze to Vivienne. What sort of enigmas were this mother and daughter? One commanded the Nine Mystics Society, while the other had the ladies of the Pendleton and Churchill families calling

call me boss anymore. I should be calling you

eyes misting, shook her head, "No,

right. That's not going

Churchill families had nearly gone bankrupt. If it were not for Karen's secret support, their current status in high society would not have been possible, let alone their very

Alice had suffered much, protected by

bonds seem destined from

the Churchill and Pendleton families would result in gaining two sisters-in-law or

and Zachary entered, followed by Faye Churchill. Faye was there

with much more composure than Charlotte

Fredrick finally noticed their niece, whom they had

over, exclaiming, "Vivienne, let us

to flee

who blocked Luke and Fredrick with his cane. "Will you give it a rest? What if you scare