The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

At that moment, Maddox strode over.

“Dad, Finnian’s brought Mr. Linklater over!” Vivienne rose to her feet upon hearing this, a hint of urgency sparkling in her eyes.

“Vesper, at last, we meet!” Seizing the moment, Diana hurriedly wiped up the remaining juice, tossing the glass into the sink to obliterate any evidence of her actions.

Jasper also stood, leaning on his cane as he moved to greet the newcomer.

However, once outside, they found only Vesper.

“Where the hell is that old bastard Ulysses?” Jasper bellowed from the yard.

Vesper chuckled, “He's hiding.” Though he said this, his gaze drifted to the old banyan tree in the courtyard.

Understanding the hint, Jasper picked up a stone and hurled it at the banyan.

Finnian winced and poked his head out. “Jasper! Are you trying to kill me?” “You've already died twice! What's once more?” Jasper retorted, lobbing another stone.

Finnian was not going down without a fight, plucking leaves from the tree and tossing them back at Jasper.

The two old coots showed no mercy, each blow harder than the last.

Maddox and Yuri tried to intervene, tugging at each one, adding to the commotion.

Vesper quietly observed Jasper, finally easing up. [x | It seemed the thing inside him had stabilized.

He smiled to himself but then sensed a pair of searing glares.

Those eyes held resentment, fury, and longing.

Vesper dared not respond nor even glance that way.

He knew his daughter all too well.

Vivienne clenched her fists, cursing inside, “So, she won't even look at me? Fine, avoidthen!” With that, Vivienne stormed over, determined to confront the face she had missed so much.

As Vivienne approached, every cell in Vesper’s body tensed, ready to flee.

Now was not the tto reconcile with Vivienne.

Suddenly, Vesper caught an odd scent in the air, tracing it back to Vivienne.

His expression tightened, and he met her gaze head-on.

Vivienne paused, confused. Was she changing her mind? Without warning, Vesper struck Vivienne’s chest with lightning speed, too quickly for her to react.

The two feuding old men stopped and gathered around, clueless about what was happening.

Then, Vesper swiftly inserted several silver needles into Vivienne’s scalp.

Overpowered, Vivienne expelled the juice she had just ingested.

Vesper breathed a sigh of relief.

“You're smart not to have drunk it all,” Vesper said, retracting the needles.

Vivienne had sealed her pressure points the moment she sensed something off with the juice, planning to purge it once she left the Perez Mansion.

“What's this?” Vivienne demanded.

Before Vesper could reply, Diana rushed over and shoved him aside.

Caught off guard, Vesper was easily pushed away.

“What are you doing? What did Vivienne ever do to you?” Diana fumed at Vesper.

In reality, Diana acted to destroy the evidence, her feet covered in a substance that could neutralize the poison.

Vesper's eyes narrowed; Diana was definitely up to no good! Vivienne stepped in front of Vesper. “That juice you gave me—it was poisoned!” The crowd was taken aback, Jasper incredulous. “Diana, what's the meaning of this?” “I... I have no idea. How could the juice be poisoned? Vivienne, you can’t wronglike this,” Diana protested, her eyes brimming with tears.

Vivienne glanced at the expelled juice, her gaze hardening.

The evidence was gone.

She had underestimated this woman! “Vivienne, are you certain about the poison?” Maddox asked quietly, positioning himself beside Diana, ready to restrain her if needed.

Vivienne nodded. “Yes, I'm sure!” Maddox instantly grabbed Diana. “Why would you do this, Diana? Speak!” Diana struggled in vain against Maddox's grip, her martial arts no match for his.

“Maddox, | know you all care for Vivienne, but why not ask why | would poison her? Even if | didn’t like her, which I do, | wouldn't kill her,” Diana cried out.

Maddox held Diana firmly. “You provided the juice. How do you explain that?” “If you don’t trust me, no explanation will suffice.” Diana sobbed, looking up at Jasper. “Dad, Vivienne is the Specter Healer. Who would try to kill the Specter Healer with poison? Besides, | have no idea what happened. If the juice is poisoned, there's son the ground—test it!” Maddox signaled Yuri, who began to fetch the testing kit.

Vivienne intervened. “Uncle, there's no need for all this trouble. The poison’s been dealt with, and since Auntie Diana claims ignorance, | believe her.” “Vivienne!” “Uncle Maddox, let her go. We're all family here.” Vivienne shook her head at Maddox.

Reluctantly, Maddox released Diana, knowing that even a test would yield no results now.

Wiping her tears, Diana stated emphatically, “Vivienne, I'm not sure about the juice, but please, believe me, | would never hurt you, | swear!” Vivienne eyed Diana's woeful expression with a hint of scorn hidden beneath her gaze. There she was, Diana, putting on an act that could rival the great performers.

It was a shshe had not pursued a career in acting.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

A smirk tugged at Vivienne’s lips. “Auntie Diana, as long as your conscience is clear, you don’t oweany promises.” Jasper furrowed his brow, discomfort tinging his features. “Diana, if there's nothing the matter, why don’t you go ahead and get srest?” At that, Diana's eyes flickered with dismay. Jasper still did not trust her! It was as clear as day—the ties of blood and the bonds of adoption were worlds apart in his heart.

Diana pressed her lips together, a poised resignation in her voice. “Dad, I'll return to my room then.” As she spoke, Diana cast a fleeting glance at Vesper.

Who could have foreseen an unexpected obstacle? Vivienne had failed to detect the poison, yet Vesper had effortlessly drawn it out.

Just who was he? Vesper, too, raised his head, watching Diana in silence.

To think someone dared to poison his daughter. They must have a death wish! But how did Diana cby such a poison? Vesper recognized the poison all too well—it was a concoction he had inadvertently created while undercover at the GTO, a substance unique in the world. Colorless, tasteless, and virtually undetectable, he had never produced it again.

In the chaos of his escape from the GTO, he had not managed to destroy the remnants he left behind. And now, the very poison he had crafted nearly claimed his daughter's life.

Vesper's gaze dropped, contemplative. It appeared that Diana’s ties with the GTO were far more entangled than he had anticipated.