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.

were on the same page. They

a glance, her expression

a decorated war hero. If the authorities find out he has

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

at him.

Shrugging, Maddox fell silent.

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

"That

her cousins to Vivienne, asked, "What do you

up in court hearings and dealings

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

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

Maddox was puzzled. After being

she's blindly in

mother speak of her deep

sense. Perfect as a partner, perhaps,

family exchanged looks

now? Do we actually have to

enough. "Try it

no, I

Jasper looked meaningfully

not long

well. She was not one to indulge

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

a soft heart beneath her tough exterior. Deep down, she

not forgetting her and Karen, were testament

turned

issues were being handled by Vivienne

Jasper's

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