The Million-Dollar Heart

Sophie had been giving Victoria the stink eye since the moment she walked through the door.

If she had said anything like that, Gavin would have shot her down and given her an earful by now!

Now, Gavin's face was a picture of displeasure, with hardly a hint of the storm brewing beneath the surface.

Feeling defiant, Sophie took a few steps forward. "Sis, that's not fair. Even if the court's decided, couldn't we just have Kaitlyn and the others issue an apology letter?"

Rubbing her eyes to muster tears, she turned to Gavin with her eyes reddening, "Dad, think about Uncle's family, Aunt and Grandma. If Uncle goes to jail, how will this big family cope?"

As she spoke, her tears began to fall. "Sis, please help us out. It wouldn't do you any good either if the Abernathy family got into trouble over this."

Her act was so convincing that Victoria felt like giving her a round of applause.

Just as she was about to retort that Sophie's head was clearly not screwed on right, it didn't mean hers wasn't either.

After being checked and treated by the Abernathy family doctor, Harrison was helped inside. "Dad, maybe we shouldn't push Victoria. She hasn't seen the Ellingtons in years, and now to meet under these circumstances, it might not be the best idea."

Madeline, sobbing uncontrollably, protested, "What's wrong with that? The Ellingtons are her maternal grandparents. They've ignored Victoria for years; can't they fulfill this one small request?"

"Madeline, have you no shame?!" Victoria couldn't hold back any longer and jumped out of bed, "Why do you think the Ellingtons have ignored me? If it wasn't for your shameless affair with my dad, breaking up his marriage with my mom, would the Ellingtons have been oblivious to my existence for all these years?"

"And you expect me to save your brother? You're dreaming!"

Her anger was palpable, and despite Harrison's attempts to calm her, her voice was loud enough for everyone outside to hear, "Look in the mirror before you make demands. Why don't you go beg Richard Ellington yourself and see if he doesn't throw you out?!"

"Victoria!"

his

was a mix of sympathy and

scolded Victoria, "Have you no manners? She

Victoria a chance to respond, Gavin pointed to the computer screen showing Vivienne, "Today, you'll hear it from me. You will make amends with the Ellington family, willing or not.

a curious Sophie,

tried to follow, the

vase to the ground. The crash, accompanied by her furious yell, pierced the air, "Who

"No, you do."

and blocking her incoming blow, pulling her

"Do you really want to see Madeline and her daughter take what's rightfully yours? Remember, half of the

Gavin's clutches. Don't you want

"You said you'd help me,

up before continuing, "Together, we can take control of the Abernathy estate. Isn't it easier to

where the tablet continued to stream the

twelve years in prison, with a two-month probation...Zinnia for attempted murder, eight years, effective immediately... Kipling to publicly apologize to

was ambivalent about

leaving, she glanced at Ramona and

had its eyes on her, sending shivers down her

Vivienne had already looked

certain that eerie feeling had

Vivienne checked

"Everything's

phone, "As you can see, they're getting

"The game's not over yet, Mr. Wolf. We're just one move away from tearing this

can start moving

of the courthouse, Kaitlyn suddenly spoke up as if she had just remembered something, "I've seen that

halt in their tracks, including Cassidy, who was trailing behind. She lifted her head to look at Kaitlyn, while a flicker of interest passed