The Million-Dollar Heart

Maddox's eyes lit up the moment he saw Willa returning home.

He hurried over to her, barely containing his excitement. "Willa, you're back?"

He was so close that his warm breath tickled her face, stirring something unfamiliar within her.

She coughed lightly, pushing him away with a finger. "Back off! You reek of sweat!"

"Huh?" Maddox sniffed himself. "Do I? But I just showered this morning!"

The summer heat made sweating inevitable, prompting him to adopt a twice-daily shower routine.

Willa, uninterested in engaging further, walked straight to Jasper. "Dad, I'm home."

Jasper nodded. "Good to have you back. Sit down. We were just discussing whether Vivienne should acknowledge her father. You should weigh in!"

Willa had barely approached her chair when she paused, confused. "Vivienne's father?"

"Yes," Yuri chimed in. "Today, Vivienne's biological father showed up. DNA tests confirm it's Arthur. He's planning to marry Sasha and wants to officially recognize Vivienne."

As soon as Yuri finished, Willa's expression darkened. "No way!"

Vivienne sent Willa a smile of admiration.

Jasper and the others were taken aback but soon Jasper said, "We were leaning towards refusal too, but after thinking it over, he is Vivienne's father, after all. It seems wrong not to acknowledge him."

Willa scoffed. "Some father! Where was he all this time? Now he decides to show up like he's picking out a bargain at a flea market!"

Willa was known for her aloofness, rarely swearing.

Her outburst left the Perez family speechless for a moment.

knew we were on the same page. They were all for it, but I said no.

a glance,

"Remember, he's a decorated war hero. If the authorities find out

if we don't acknowledge him, they'll lock us up?"

glared at him.

Shrugging, Maddox fell silent.

they'll surely try to persuade Vivienne. Do you want them pestering us day

"That would

to Vivienne,

hearings and dealings with the Grimshaw family,

she immediately said, "I've already said

you're wrong about one

was

she's

speak of her deep feelings

it made sense. Perfect as a partner, perhaps, but

exchanged

we actually have to accept this

enough. "Try it and

I never said

Jasper looked meaningfully at Vivienne. "You actually want

long acquainted,

She was not

yet her involvement

a soft heart beneath her tough exterior. Deep down, she knew Arthur wasn't

on the battlefield, not forgetting her

conversation turned to

might be time for a change now that many issues were being handled by Vivienne and Percival, and

Jasper's observation,

her evasion, Jasper didn't press further. "Alright, let's leave the decision to Vivienne. For now, let's