The Million-Dollar Heart

Vivienne's brow twitched slightly, but she remained silent.

Hailey's face was a mask of fury as she glared at Arthur, "I'm your aunt, how dare you curse me?"

Arthur, still irritated from an earlier conversation with Percival, directed his anger towards Hailey, "At your age, it's only natural for health issues to crop up. If one day you don't wake up, none of us would be surprised."

Hailey wobbled on her feet, having stood for too long.

Pointing a finger at Arthur, she turned her ire towards Yorick, "Brother, this is the kind of son you've raised? Utterly disrespectful and without a shred of decency. He's cursing me to death!"

Arthur remained unfazed, his attitude clear: you heard me right, that's exactly what I meant.

Hailey, gasping for breath from anger, fell to the ground crying, "Brother, I'm your own sister. He dares to treat me like this before you, disregarding not just you but the entire Linklater family. You must stand up for me..."

Arthur looked down at Hailey, making a scene on the floor, with cold eyes.

He had spent years on the front lines, caring little for the so-called "family rules".

He had his principles: threaten his wife or daughter, and he'd take your life.

No exceptions.

"Enough!"

Yorick's voice boomed, his gaze complex as he looked down at Hailey on the floor.

"I don't want to dwell on what happened the day before yesterday. Since you've mentioned making amends to Sasha and Vivienne, show some sincerity. You're making us all a laughing stock, acting like this at your age. It's embarrassing even for me."

Hailey's face turned an even deeper shade of red with humiliation.

She had just stepped through the door, not even had a sip of water, and now her brother was demanding she apologize to the younger generation in front of everyone.

But she had to swallow her pride.

As long as it gets her what she wants, what's a little humiliation?

Slowly getting up, Hailey brushed off non-existent dust from her dress, reluctantly saying, "Sasha, your aunt here is sorry, it was my fault."

smile playing on her lips, "Aunt,

ugly expression

what's best for you. Now that you're back with the Linklater family, you can't behave like you did when you were outside,

Linklater family, you should always be aware

injury on your face was also for your

"Bang!"

be welcomed in the Linklater family?" "Your being allowed back today was to tell you one thing: from tomorrow, you'll move to the building

I've already

you're not happy, you can choose any of the Linklater

won't be a

gaze towards Vivienne was filled

Vivienne simply listened quietly.

to hear, "Vivienne, you can do whatever you want,

was always so

hadn't been going long before Hailey excused

ordered, "Dracon,

Hailey, "..."

bit the

didn't mean

that mother and daughter pay

left to Yorick

four of them enjoyed their meal heartily, hardly

Arthur, whose eyes never

serving Sasha, discussing, "Honey, this steamed pork is great. How about we make it for our daughter's breakfast

eats

placed peeled shrimp into her bowl, smiling, "If you

shrimp,

"Cake is

his attention to

arriving, he had been

met Yorick's gaze, nodding

"Percival, our family matters must seem quite the

loaded, "Not at all, Grandfather. Vivienne and I are family. If she's ever