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.

"Then I'll apologize to Auntie for big sis. Auntie is so nice; she won't

Brianna and Alyssa, who was lying

looked at him, puzzled. "Winston, you'd apologize

Grandpa, I don't blame big sis. It's my

could use this opportunity

Have you forgotten how furious

family was one thing; if Grandpa George

servant began to urge

Grandpa George asked, they would be held

he really wanted to

suggested, "Instead of begging Sasha for forgiveness, why not seek Arthur's favor? If he's on your side,

lost patience with me...

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

was a way to eliminate her, that would

it all wrong. Arthur, powerful as he may

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

Alyssa silently agreed.

Sasha's sudden appearance not only shattered her dream of marrying Arthur but

so much about her daughter. If something happened to her, Sasha would be too distracted to bother with Arthur. That's

herself, "Of course, if big sis could win Arthur over by herself, we wouldn't need to resort to this. It's all up to you now." Alyssa didn't immediately agree.

gone, not

Vivienne, who

You can go now," Alyssa

on the bed. For some reason, she felt there was something about

the room, Alyssa received a secretive

the number, her heart sank, and she quickly

altered to a low pitch spoke, "The boss has

boss usually contacts me directly.

particularly grating over the

soured on you.

days? Do you really think he's

heart skipped a beat, and she hurried to explain,