The Million-Dollar Heart

Alyssa's arms were etched with scabs and whip marks that Brianna could clearly see, yet she pretended not to notice.

Those were the handiwork of Grandpa George himself, a man who wouldn't stop until he'd drawn blood.

The mention of it left Alyssa in a daze.

Right, she thought, I'm the eldest daughter of the Wright family. Even for the sake of the family name, Arthur shouldn't have treated me this way.

It must be Sasha who's stirring things up.

"Big sis?"

Brianna watched Alyssa zone out, her eyes betraying a hint of disgust.

Winston, accompanied by a servant, came jogging over, his young face full of concern that seemed genuine. He was startled upon seeing Alyssa's injuries, "Big sis, what happened to you?" Alyssa frowned and withdrew her hand.

The last person she wanted to see right now was Winston.

If it hadn't been for him, Grandpa George wouldn't have been so harsh on her.

Brianna saw it all and, hiding her scorn, explained to Winston, "Little bro, someone bullied your big sis. Didn't you notice?"

"Bullied?"

Winston's young brow furrowed, puzzled as he looked at Brianna. "Big sis, who bullied big sis?"

Brianna's face turned cold at being called 'big sis.' "Who else could it be? In the Linklater family, who wields such power? If not Sasha and her daughter Vivienne, then who?" Winston quickly figured it out.

Shaking his head, he spoke clearly, "I trust Auntie; she wouldn't bully anyone. Maybe big sis didn't apologize to Auntie? Grandpa said if you do something wrong, you have to own up to it." Brianna raised an eyebrow but didn't reply.

Alyssa's face darkened.

She knew what she had done and certainly didn't need a five-year-old lecturing her.

about to send him away, Winston said in his soft voice, "Then I'll apologize to Auntie

and Alyssa, who was lying in bed, were

him, puzzled. "Winston, you'd apologize to the Linklaters

"I told Grandpa, I don't blame big sis. It's my fault for being too weak, it has nothing

she could use this opportunity

you forgotten how furious Grandpa was last time? He won't let

Winston could even get into the Linklater family was one thing; if Grandpa George found out she'd taken Winston there,

a servant began to urge

asked, they would

he really wanted

forgiveness, why not seek Arthur's favor? If he's on your side, who cares

pondered, "But Arthur has lost patience with me...

estate without Arthur showing his face was proof of Sasha's deep influence

there was a way to eliminate her, that would remove a significant

it all wrong. Arthur, powerful as he may be, is still a

you two are meant for each other. The matriarch's position at the Linklater estate was always meant to be yours. Sasha stole it from you. What's wrong with taking back what's

Alyssa silently agreed.

seen herself as Arthur's other half. Sasha's sudden appearance not only shattered her dream of marrying Arthur

daughter. If something happened to her, Sasha would be too distracted to bother with Arthur. That's your chance,

Arthur over by herself, we wouldn't need to resort to this. It's all up to you now." Alyssa didn't immediately agree. Brianna's suggestion

Sasha gone,

Vivienne, who was

go now,"

For some

room, Alyssa received a

number, her heart sank, and

voice altered to a low pitch spoke, "The boss has a

"The boss usually contacts me directly.

let out a scoff, his mockery particularly grating over the phone, "With the lab trashed,

soured on you.

Do you

skipped a beat, and she hurried