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."

a cold smile playing on her lips, "Aunt,

teeth clenched, turned her ugly expression towards

you're back with the Linklater family, you can't behave like you did when you were outside, staying out overnight with men before your marriage is settled. Ultimately, it's the family's reputation

family, you

on Hailey's always superior face, "The injury on your face was also for your own good, but it seems I didn't hit hard

"Bang!"

in the Linklater family?" "Your being allowed back today was to

"Brother, I've already apologized to

not happy, you can choose any of the Linklater family's

there won't be a

dared not say another word, though her gaze towards Vivienne was

Vivienne simply listened quietly.

hand under the table, whispering only for her to hear, "Vivienne, you can do whatever you want, I've got your back." Vivienne's eyes sparkled

was

long before Hailey

ordered, "Dracon,

Hailey, "..."

eventually bit the bullet and

forbearance didn't mean she'd always hold

and

gone, the table was left to Yorick and Arthur's

meal heartily, hardly sparing a thought for

Arthur, whose eyes never left

serving Sasha, discussing, "Honey, this steamed pork is great. How about we make it

but who eats pork

you don't fancy that, come to my place. I'll cook

shrimp, "Alright, I want

"Cake is definitely a

turned his attention

he

met Yorick's gaze,

sipped his tea, "Percival, our family matters must

Grandfather. Vivienne and I are family. If she's ever wronged again, I'll be