The Million-Dollar Heart

In Victoria's backyard.

The room was a spacious forty square meters, with two king-sized beds laid out like in a hotel double room.

Victoria and Harrison each claimed a bed, with a couple of nightstands separating them, a casual gap that nonetheless felt like a chasm.

The room was brightly lit, and as Victoria scrolled through her phone, she suddenly sat up and turned to Harrison. "Why did you help me today?"

Harrison's fingers paused on the page he was flipping, and he looked up with a bemused expression. "You're my wife, aren't you? Who else am I supposed to help, Sophie?

Let's face it, I'm your husband, at least on paper. Our interests are aligned, and besides, we're in this business deal together, right?"

The man gave a small, secretive smile, the lamplight casting twinkling stars in his eyes.

You had to admit, Harrison had a certain charm about him.

No wonder Kaitlyn was completely taken in by him back when he was just a twenty-something.

Victoria would have been defenseless too..

Lost in thought, her gaze still wary as she eyed Harrison, she quipped, "Playing the doting husband now, are we?"

"Well, now that you've seen behind the mask, what's the point in keeping it up?" Harrison's eyes returned to his book without lifting his head.

pause, he looked up again. "By the way, about Richard Ellington, I've made contact.

the bed, her eyes wide with shock. "Hold on, you-why? How did you even get close to the Ellingtons? Does Richard know who you are? Did he not toss you out on your ear?!" She was like a startled calico cat, all puffed up

not some Gavin. Why would Richard want to throw me out?

low and emotionless. "He's over the moon to know you're his granddaughter. Why would he turn away his

the Abernathy estate these past few

her shock wasn't profound enough, Harrison continued, "He also said to tell you to forget the past, who your father is. As long as you're Holly's daughter, he's willing to welcome you. The doors of the Ellington Estate are

in your hands now. You wouldn't want a husband who is smeared online as a homewrecker,

At the Ellington Estate.

from Percival while still on her way

patriarch wanted them home for dinner caught her

safely home, she checked on Tyler's injuries and made a quick stop at the lab before arriving at the Ellington Estate around six

was already waiting

Percival; nearly everyone who could make it from the

"Vivienne!"

Ellington came running over, beaming. She hugged Vivienne's legs, pushing past Percival by more than a step. "I've missed you so much. You never come home

pouted up at her, only to be playfully scolded by the approaching Percival. "Vivienne's

Isolde puffed out her cheeks. "I do not! I study

do," Percival teased, making her sound

Richard said with a smile, watching them settle down before turning serious. "Stop your bickering. I've called you here for a reason. Holly's daughter came to see me today, and I want Percival and Vivienne to accompany me to meet her tomorrow. There's going to be a dinner after the meeting, and every member of the

now."

the stairs, as if to avoid any dissent from Vivienne and the others. By the time they regained their composure and thought to inquire further, Richard had