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 with

out by the night's emotional rollercoaster and unable to keep up, left them with one last request, "Set up a room for Holly and Victoria. Victoria, take

into Percival's

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

leave it by

the Linklater family's residence, the security was as strict as ever, scanning them before letting them

where Karen lay quietly, a bouquet of dew-kissed pink roses emitting faint fragrance by her donet

open at Arthur's soft command, "Come

cooling at the sight

list of a hundred ways to cheer up a daughter you

shot them a look sharp as knives,

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

the name of safety! Who would've thought

gentle demeanor was

Arthur simply ignored him.

"Do you still want

"Took you long enough. At this rate,

Arthur mad? Think of something quick,