The Million-Dollar Heart

Tears streamed down the woman's face, heavy and relentless.

Gavin felt a sharp pang in his chest. Just as he was about to offer comfort, the words that followed from Madeline's lips darkened his expression. "Madeline, are you blaming me?"

Only then did Madeline realize she had misspoken. "No, how could I blame you? I know you did what you thought was best for the Abernathy family. It's just... my heart aches for Sophie. Despite being your daughter, she endures whispers and pointed fingers behind her back. You wouldn't believe what the society girls say about her at the galas."

After all, she was the woman he had cherished for so many years. Gavin watched her tears intensify and sighed. "All right. I know you and your daughter have had a tough time. But forget about the Grimshaws. I've found a match for Sophie with Leopold Sterling, the heir to the Rivenwood estate. A fine gentleman, competent and well-regarded. Soon, I'll arrange for Sophie to meet him."

"Leopold Sterling?"

Madeline was familiar with the name.

The Sterlings, one of Rivenwood's ten distinguished families, may not rival the Ellingtons or the now-diminished Brooks family, but they were still an aspirational Plus, their heir was known for his close ties with Percival.

But what good were those ties?

Leopold, the Sterling heir, couldn't hold a candle to even Percival, let alone stand on equal footing with a Grimshaw heir!

Emotions swirled within Madeline, but she masked them with a look of surprise. "Why the Sterlings? Even if not the Grimshaws, there are other eligible families. If not them, there's always the Ellingtons..." Gavin pulled her close, his patience wearing thin as he explained, "Forget about the ancient warrior lineages. Percival is already married. Leopold is the most promising of Rivenwood's young men. That's settled, then. Let Sophie know so she's prepared."

His tone was final, leaving no room for debate.

If he could, he would have preferred Sophie to marry into the Grimshaws. But the harsh truths Victoria spoke, although unpleasant, weren't without merit.

A bastard girl, even as a mistress, would be seen as an insult by the haughty Grimshaws!

The courtyard buzzed with servants bustling to and fro.

Madeline's

of

words were noble, yet his thoughts mirrored the disdain

Victoria managed to marry into the Schram

that vixen's child? Why couldn't

Isabelle was a bastard

feared offending those ancient

were the Sterlings compared to them? How

whatever you say? Just wait until my daughter marries into the Grimshaws. Whether it's Victoria or her mother, I'll make sure none escape!" Madeline cursed

using his real name, while his relationship with Holly Ellington is one of convenience, using the pseudonym Preston. After Holly was ousted from the Abernathy family, Gavin reverted

estate, a breeze stirred the curtains, but it

had turned the Brooks estate inside out with no trace of Winnie. Could a living, breathing person just vanish into

"Arthur."

oblivious to the brooding air around Arthur. He knocked lightly,

turned, irritation flashing in

brother's impatience, the deep-seated fear of Arthur urging him to flee the room. But recalling the task at hand, he braced himself. "I still want

gaze icy. "I've already spoken about Percival. Since father and Hector believe his innocence, there's no room for doubt. I'll find

Arthur's stare. "Father and our brother are blind to Percival's true colors! What more is there to investigate? The poison came with Percival's gifts. If not him, ther who? Surely you don't suspect a traitor in our

himself, "Or do you doubt

you. But I'm not naive enough to think that a family heir

the man's gaze sent a shiver down

feel his shirt sticking to his back,

this way! Arthur had