The Million-Dollar Heart

Vivienne offered a perfunctory smile, the old grudges still simmering beneath the surface.

"We've got company at the moment. My father will join us shortly. Please, make yourselves at home. Dinner will be served soon," Dracon explained before bustling off. Vivienne took a sip of her water. "Is this their idea of a power play?"

Karen shrugged it off. "If Yorick wanted to put me in my place, he'd use something more sophisticated than this."

It was clear, though, that Dracon intended to make this power move personally.

Vivienne chuckled, choosing to remain silent.

An hour passed, with neither Vivienne nor Karen receiving any attention. Dracon was off somewhere, busy, and Yorick had not emerged from his study.

Only when the servants had finished setting the table and called everyone for dinner did Yorick finally make an appearance.

Dracon hurried over to his side, along with a woman, both offering their support as Yorick descended the stairs.

"Lark, when did you arrive?" Yorick seemed genuinely surprised to see Karen.

With a slight curl of her lips, Karen's eyes flickered towards Dracon. "Been here a while. Mr. Linklater insisted we shouldn't disturb you, so I did not." Vivienne's gaze landed on the woman by Yorick's side, her smile laden with meaning.

Yorick glanced at Dracon, his voice tinged with reprimand. "Dracon, didn't I say to send Lark and Vivienne to my study when they arrived?"

Dracon looked down sheepishly. "Sorry, Dad, I was too busy. It slipped my mind."

Vivienne smirked, "Wasn't Mr. Linklater just overseeing the kitchen the whole time? Playing supervisor?"

Dracon managed an awkward laugh. Vivienne was clearly hinting that he had done it on purpose.

know how to behave as a guest in someone

but refrained from further comment with everyone present. "Lark, Vivienne, sit by me. I'd like to introduce

turned to the woman on

first, "Yorick, no need for introductions. I know

was none

inevitably lead to meeting Gillian one day. Still, she had not expected it here, at the dinner table of the former head of Vanguard Agency. A reformed convict, Gillian's presence in such esteemed company was both admirable

distorted through the glass and alcohol,

didn't expect to see you here. Allow me to apologize for my past ignorance and offer a toast as a gesture of my remorse," Gillian said with a polished grace that was hard to fault. They were in Yorick's home, and both Karen and Vivienne held Yorick in high

coolly, "No need. It wasn't

face fell slightly at Vivienne's public announcement of her past actions, but she maintained

guilt, "I was dealing with a lot back then, and Mara's words provoked

We can't label someone a villain for life over a single mistake. Ms. Ashford, don't take it to heart." He then shot Vivienne a mocking

gave Dracon a warning look. This man was really challenging her patience again, even daring to bully Vivienne in

Wouldn't you agree, Mr. Linklater?" Karen said, her gaze indicating she would not tolerate any further

chuckled nervously, offering

in the Vanguard Agency's secretariat,

A secretary in the Vanguard Agency's

were proving to be much greater

After compensating her mother, I was released from the detention center. I was actually studying to join the Vanguard Agency. The smile on Vivienne's face grew. She knew exactly how much 'ink' Gillian had

Vanguard Agency? Gillian likely did not even

was piqued all