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 page. They were all for it, but I said no. We're truly

a glance, her

he's a decorated war hero. If

we don't acknowledge him, they'll lock

at

Shrugging, Maddox fell silent.

over this, but they'll surely try to persuade Vivienne. Do you want them pestering

"That would

past her cousins to Vivienne, asked, "What

court hearings and dealings with the Grimshaw

"I've already said I won't acknowledge

you're wrong about one

would she?" Maddox was puzzled. After being

"Because she's

mother speak of her deep

it made sense. Perfect as a partner, perhaps, but not as

Perez family exchanged looks

surprise, asked, "So what now? Do we actually have

glare was warning enough. "Try

no, I never said we'd

reached. Finally, Jasper looked meaningfully at Vivienne. "You actually want to acknowledge him, don't

long acquainted,

She was not one to indulge

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

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

not forgetting her and

conversation turned to

a change now that many issues were being handled by Vivienne and Percival,

response to Jasper's observation, simply stated,

press further. "Alright, let's leave