The Million-Dollar Heart

Gavin's eyes flashed a warning as he glanced at Victoria, "Since we've given our word to the Grimshaws, we can't break it. Otherwise, it doesn't matter how many times you've visited them-it won't do any good."

He signaled to Harrison, who immediately stepped forward to help Sophie up, "Miss Sophie, Victoria speaks her mind. Don't take offense. Better get up from the floor-it's cold, and you wouldn't want to catch a chill. Dad would be worried sick."

"Get lost-I don't need your help."

Sophie shook off Harrison's hand with a defiant look. She wasn't foolish.

Wasn't Harrison's remark just a blatant admission that Victoria was right?

Everyone looked down on her, including her own father, who always claimed to love her the most!

Was it just because Victoria held the title of the legitimate daughter?

If it weren't for her mother's relentless pursuit, that status should have rightfully been hers!

Biting her lower lip in frustration, she said, "Dad, I was just trying to help. Victoria's been trying to get something from Kaitlyn for ages with no results. I thought I'd go to Mr. Grimshaw myself to buy her some time, so if she comes up empty-handed, at least the Grimshaws won't blame us."

"With you?" Victoria scoffed from her perch, legs crossed leisurely. "Ridiculous. Dad, don't worry. I'll retrieve the item before the deadline. And when I do, you better not forget what you promised." Gavin's expression shifted, "That's if you can actually get it."

"What did you promise Victoria, Dad?" Sophie's mind raced with the possibility of it being something like the Abernathy estate.

She spun around anxiously, "How about I give you a suggestion, sis? Even if Kaitlyn is tough, her entourage is nothing but dead weight. Why don't we send more people to snatch her daughter? She'll have to hand over the recipe then."

then, Sophie could sabotage it all from the shadows! Victoria would completely lose their

others. Especially Gavin, who couldn't believe his daughter, usually as meek as a lamb,

gleeful gaze, "How dare you! I've spoiled you

of such

pigs instead. Sophie, have you ever read the criminal code? Do you realize kidnapping a child lands you behind

nothing. His gaze on Sophie was indistinguishable from that

wasn't

described, they wouldn't have had

Absurd.

the verge of tears, "Dad, I'm sorry. I was just talking nonsense. Please believe me; I really just wanted to help. We could just scare her a little, not actually have Victoria

at Sophie dismissively, then turned to Gavin. "Dad, to be honest, Kaitlyn doesn't have the recipe anymore. It's now in the hands of Vivienne. This

alert, "What? Kaitlyn handed it over

not know Percival? The beloved nephew of that woman!

misfortunes befalling the main and secondary branches of the Ellingtons, Percival

perceptive person could see the reach of

no doubt, was

their possession, reclaiming it would be a

Gavin looked at Victoria, instructing, "You're his cousin, and you've never been in touch before. If you could reconnect, get close to him, perhaps you could trick that recipe out of Vivienne?" Victoria laughed a mocking,

initially, but she insisted on marrying you and staying with the Abernathys. Now, after everything that's happened to my mom, you expect me, her daughter, who's never been acknowledged by them,

smile was laced with scorn. "Do you think