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.

fingers. "Exactly, Willa! I knew we were on the same

a

claim over Vivienne sparked a debate. "Arthur is Vivienne's father. It's not up to us," Luke interjected. "Remember, he's a decorated war hero. If the authorities

him, they'll lock us up?" Maddox

at him.

Shrugging, Maddox fell silent.

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

"That would be

Vivienne, asked, "What do

had been up early, caught up in court hearings and dealings with the Grimshaw family, and

she immediately said, "I've already said I

one thing.

was

"Because she's

had often heard her mother speak of her deep feelings for Arthur, though she'd

a partner, perhaps, but not as

family exchanged looks of

what now? Do we actually have to accept

was warning enough.

backtracked. "No, no, I never

looked meaningfully at Vivienne. "You actually want to

not long acquainted,

granddaughter well. She was not

of no interest to her, yet her involvement in this discussion

tough exterior. Deep down, she knew

the battlefield, not forgetting her

turned

that many issues

to Jasper's

further. "Alright, let's leave the decision to