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.

on the same page. They were

gave him a glance,

father. It's not up to us," Luke interjected. "Remember, he's a decorated war hero. If the authorities find out he has a

they'll lock us up?" Maddox

at him. "Be

Shrugging, Maddox fell silent.

"The authorities won't imprison us over this, but they'll surely try to persuade Vivienne. Do you want them pestering us

"That would

to Vivienne, asked, "What do you

in court hearings and dealings with the Grimshaw family, and had dozed off

immediately said, "I've already said I won't

looking at Maddox, she added, "Uncle, you're wrong about one thing. If

was puzzled.

sighed, "Because she's blindly in

heard her mother speak of her deep feelings for Arthur,

a partner, perhaps, but not as a father

exchanged

surprise, asked, "So what now? Do we actually have to accept this guy as

warning enough. "Try it and

"No, no, I

discussion, no consensus was reached. Finally, Jasper looked meaningfully at Vivienne. "You

not long acquainted,

was not one to

interest to her, yet

exterior. Deep down, she knew Arthur wasn't the villain she portrayed

the battlefield, not forgetting her and Karen, were testament enough to

turned to

might be time for a change now that many issues

avoiding a direct response to Jasper's observation, simply stated, "Grandpa, I'm

let's leave the