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 were all

gave him a glance, her expression

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

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

glared 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 day in, day

"That

to Vivienne, asked, "What do

early, caught up in court hearings and dealings

"I've already said I won't acknowledge

"Uncle, you're wrong about one thing. If

was

sighed, "Because she's

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

partner, perhaps,

exchanged

Do we

enough. "Try it

I never said we'd accept

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

not long acquainted,

She was not one

interest to her, yet

soft heart beneath her tough exterior. Deep down, she

years on the battlefield, not forgetting her and

turned to

be time for a change now that many issues

Jasper's observation, simply

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