The Million-Dollar Heart

Vivienne's back stiffened, her usually delicate face now as dark as a thundercloud, pitch black and stormy.

Percival barely suppressed a smirk.

When had the so-called "War God" become such a fool?

Arthur: "Hey, kid, watch your mouth. I am your future father-in-law. Be careful, or I might not let her marry you!"

Percival: "Do you really think you hold that much sway in my lady's heart?"

Arthur: ...

Stabbed in the heart!

Jasper, on the other hand, didn't catch the tension between Vivienne and Percival. He was distracted by an almost maniacal voice growing louder outside, approaching rapidly.

"When did Arthur arrive? What's he doing here?" Jasper wondered aloud.

The Perez and the Linklater families were acquaintances, but barely interacted.

Their most significant connection was through Yorick, who had a slight acquaintance with a few of the Perez sons. Arthur, known far and wide for his military exploits as the "War God" of Veridia, was respected by the Perez family, though they rarely saw him, given his duties.

"Why has Arthur come to the Perez household now? And in such a hurry?" Jasper pondered.

As Jasper stood there, puzzled, Arthur approached, hands clasped in apology, "Dad! Sorry I'm late! I'll make it up to the family, I promise!"

Jasper, "?!"

Perez emerged, equally baffled. "What's going

Jasper "Dad"? Was he

serious. A sleepwalking "War God"

did you forget to take your meds today... Ahem, I mean, what's gotten into you, calling me 'Dad'?" "While I'd love to have a 'War God' for a son, I'm not about to steal someone else's, especially not my daughter's mentor's son. That's completely off-limits!" Arthur, dead serious, offered, "Dad, a son-in-law is as good as a son. If you wish, I'll even change my last name to South! I'll be Arthur South from now on!"

The Perez brothers, "?!"

Vivienne remained expressionless.

bridge

turned exceedingly

"This is big news! Think it

cut him off, "If you're sure, we can head

his son! Jasper wouldn't dream of letting such an opportunity slip through

glanced at

changing my name and transferring households is just a phone call away," Arthur, now beaming, said, "Since you've accepted

of gaining a "War God" son, was unprepared for

can't wait any longer. I need to give her and our daughter their due recognition. They've suffered because of my absence, and I want to make it up to them. I've set the wedding date for

from now is auspicious for marriage. Don't worry about the dowry; I'm offering ten billion dollars, ten houses, ten luxury cars, ten plots in Rivenwood suburb, a hundred sets of jewelry, a hundred outfits, and I'm even willing to take your family name if it

we won't need one. Whatever

Damn!

God" was setting the bar high. How could he

offered, but his finances were tied up in supporting the

turn to

the Grimshaw family's fallout, sensed trouble

reeling from Arthur's

stunned, having heard something even

Vivienne remained stoic.

household, Yorick was having a breakdown