The Million-Dollar Heart

Walter scratched his itchy chin, his voice tinged with hesitation, "Miss, maybe we should just head back."

Vivienne, that woman was sharp as a tack.

Even if she hadn't sniffed out the oddities, Percival surely would have.

Walter couldn't fathom what Victoria was thinking.

To just drop Kaitlyn off at the suburban mall and then drag herself here to suffer - it was like setting herself up to be stood up.

As Walter silently grumbled, he dared not voice his true thoughts aloud.

Victoria was running out of patience.

It was getting late into the afternoon, and still, no one had shown up, which led her to bellow in frustration, "Looks like we've got no choice but to go with plan B. We're not waiting any longer! Let's get out of here and deal with Vivienne later!"

The next day, at the Linklater residence.

Arthur had been tied up with business at the Vanguard Agency, and it was a rare moment for him to be home.

taking his siesta, and he hadn't allowed anyone to disturb

his father's room and

but at the sound of the door, he looked

his irritation with deference

to silence him, "Dad's

impatience, but he nodded respectfully and tiptoed back to his father's side, his hands fidgeting behind

Arthur's gaze landed on his father, his eyes darkened, "Didn't you say over the phone that Dad's recovery was going well? This doesn't look right to

Yorick's complexion was so pale it was almost translucent. His lips

pass away at any moment. Arthur could only

both envious and fearful of his elder

Dracon's forehead. "Arthur, I didn't mean to keep things from you. It's Dad; he didn't want to distract you or Hector from your work, so he told me not to tell

soft on Percival. He thinks the guy wouldn't hurt him, but you never can tell what's going on inside someone's head. And his wife, she was finally acknowledged by the Brooks family, only to see them fall into ruin soon after. I've heard rumors that she wasn't exactly innocent in that debacle. If Percival would marry such

he continued, "It was after taking the supplements Percival brought that Dad got poisoned. Now, his condition's been worsening day

"Specter Healer?"

Arthur's interest, Dracon let a barely detectable smile flicker across his face, "Yes, but this person is elusive; not just anyone can find them. I'm just worried... I'm worried that Dad might

Linklater family, a secret Dracon had sealed tightly. Arthur, known as the War God of Veridia, would surely have

knew that if Arthur tried to strong-arm her, Vivienne might not be so amenable. It was the perfect scenario for Dracon to sit back and watch the two of them duke it out for his own benefit. "Arthur, I think we should take Percival into custody. He administered the poison, so he

will have someone search for the Specter Healer. As for Dad, a professional caregiver will be arriving in a few days to look after him. You can

"What?"

had not expected to be sidelined, "Arthur, don't you trust me? I know I'm the black sheep of the family. I've never made anyone proud. All my sisters have their achievements, and I'm the only one who's fallen short. But I've been with Dad for years. No one knows his condition better than I do.

long enough to rouse Yorick

with an inscrutable look, "I agree with your brother. You need a break; go rest for