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.

the same page. They were all for it, but I said

a glance, her

"Arthur is Vivienne's father. It's not up to us," Luke interjected. "Remember, he's a decorated war hero. If

acknowledge him, they'll lock us

at him.

Shrugging, Maddox fell silent.

but they'll surely try to persuade Vivienne. Do you want

admitted, "That would be

cousins to Vivienne, asked, "What do you think,

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

Willa, she immediately said, "I've already said I won't acknowledge

Maddox, she added, "Uncle, you're wrong about one thing. If my mom wakes up, she'd

she?" Maddox was puzzled. After

"Because she's

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

partner, perhaps, but not

family exchanged looks

snapping out of his surprise, asked, "So what now? Do we actually have

was warning enough.

"No, no, I never said we'd accept

was reached. Finally, Jasper looked meaningfully at Vivienne. "You actually

not long

She was

yet her involvement

betrayed a soft heart beneath her tough exterior. Deep down, she knew Arthur wasn't the villain she portrayed him

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

turned

that many issues were

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

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