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.

hand, playing

request, "Set up a room for Holly and Victoria. Victoria, take good care of your

stirred into Percival's

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 easy last night,

her nose, smiling, "Next time, leave it by me. I'll

residence, the security

room, adorned in white, housed the latest medical equipment where Karen lay quietly, a bouquet of dew-kissed pink roses emitting faint fragrance by

door creaked open at Arthur's soft command, "Come

and Dante peeked in, Arthur's gaze cooling at the sight

daughter you asked for!" Dante said with a nervous

as knives, "You

and Dante's report, from checking for disguise to assessing martial skills, Arthur was on the verge

"It was all in the name of safety! Who would've thought you'd change so much, almost thought I saw a

Arthur's gentle demeanor was almost

Arthur simply ignored him.

you still want this list of ways to

long enough. At this rate, my daughter would be

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