The Million-Dollar Heart

Victoria couldn't believe how unforgiving Richard was, refusing to forgive her mother. Desperate, she was about to leave with Holly when Percival shot her a look, halting her steps.

"Who said you could leave? I just said you owe Victoria the most. If you leave now, isn't that just going to make her suffer more out there?"

Holly froze, disbelief lifting her gaze.

Richard's eyes were filled with sorrow as he looked at her. "Seeing you like this partly falls on me. I've taught you so much but failed to teach you the most important lesson - how to judge character."

"You're my only daughter. I failed as a father, and the guilt has been eating at me for years. When I meet your mother again, she'll surely blame me and not want to see me."

By the last sentence, thinking of his beloved wife, Richard couldn't hold back his tears anymore.

Not only had he failed Holly, but he also hadn't looked after Fiona and Flynn, his grandchildren.

Holly, in a rush, stumbled towards Richard with Percival's support. She threw herself into Richard's arms, "Dad, mom wouldn't blame you. It's all my fault."

"Now, you take Victoria and kneel at your mother's memorial. Acknowledge your roots!"

"From now on, you're part of the Ellington family, with no ties to the Abernathy family!" Richard proclaimed loudly.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Holly and Victoria knelt at the family shrine, signifying Holly's return to the family. From now on, she and Victoria were part of the family, beyond reproach. Vivienne's lips curled up slightly, seeing Richard finally at peace.

She glanced at Percival, whose eyes were filled with tenderness.

squeezed Vivienne's hand, playing with it

and unable to keep up, left them with one last request, "Set up a room for Holly and Victoria. Victoria, take

into Percival's

himself up, his deep, dark eyes looking at her with a mix of affection and desire. Vivienne, her cheeks flushed from his gaze, buried her face into his chest then looked up again. Percival chuckled softly, "Looks like I let you off too

time, leave

the security was as strict as ever, scanning them before

quietly, a bouquet of dew-kissed pink roses emitting

open at Arthur's soft command,

peeked in, Arthur's gaze cooling at the sight of them, disappointment flickering in his

cheer up a daughter

a look sharp as knives, "You have

a bizarre array of tests because of Shane and Dante's report, from checking for disguise to assessing martial skills,

safety! Who would've

Arthur's gentle demeanor

Arthur simply ignored him.

want

"Took you long enough. At this

whispering, "Is Arthur mad? Think of something quick, or he might just send us back