The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne offered a perfunctory smile, the old grudges still simmering beneath the surface.

“We've got company at the moment. My father will join us shortly. Please, make yourselves at home. Dinner will be served soon,” Dracon explained before bustling off.

Vivienne took a sip of her water. “Is this their idea of a power play?” Karen shrugged it off. “If Yorick wanted to putin my place, he'd use something more sophisticated than this.” It was clear, though, that Dracon intended to make this power move personally.

Vivienne chuckled, choosing to remain silent.

An hour passed, with neither Vivienne nor Karen receiving any attention. Dracon was off somewhere, busy, and Yorick had not emerged from his study.

Only when the servants had finished setting the table and called everyone for dinner did Yorick finally make an appearance.

Dracon hurried over to his side, along with a woman, both offering their support as Yorick descended the stairs.

“Lark, when did you arrive?” Yorick seemed genuinely surprised to see Karen.

With a slight curl of her lips, Karen's eyes flickered towards Dracon. “Been here a while. Mr. Linklater insisted we shouldn't disturb you, so I did not.” Vivienne’s gaze landed on the woman by Yorick’s side, her smile laden with meaning.

Yorick glanced at Dracon, his voice tinged with reprimand. “Dracon, didn’t | say to send Lark and Vivienne to my study when they arrived?” Dracon looked down sheepishly. “Sorry, Dad, | was too busy. It slipped my mind.” Vivienne smirked, “Wasn't Mr. Linklater just overseeing NR the whole time? Playing supervisor?” Dracon managed an awkward laugh. Vivienne was clearly hinting that he had done it on purpose.

Did she not know how to behave as a guest in someone else’s home? Yorick gave Dracon a stern look but refrained from further comment with everyone present. “Lark, Vivienne, sit by me. I'd like to introduce you to someone.” Yorick turned to the woman on his right, his smile tender.

As everyone took their seats, Vivienne spoke up first, “Yorick, no need for introductions. | know Ms. Ashford.” The woman was none other than Gillian Ashford! Vivienne had always known that encountering Mara would inevitably lead to meeting Gillian one day. Still, she had not expected it here, at the dinner table of the former head of Vanguard Agency.

A reformed convict, Gillian’s presence in such esteemed company was both admirable and shocking.

Gillian raised her glass, the cognac reflecting her half-smile. But distorted through the glass and alcohol, her smile seemed almost sinister.

“Ms. Hawthorn, I didn’t expect to see you here. Allowto apologize for my past ignorance and offer a toast as a gesture of my remorse,” Gillian said with a polished grace that was hard to fault.

They were in Yorick’s home, and both Karen and Vivienne held Yorick in high esteem.

Vivienne responded coolly, “No need. It wasn’t my face you slashed. No apology necessary.” Gillian’s face fell slightly at Vivienne’s public announcement of her past actions, but she maintained her composure.

Head bowed, she said with a semblance of guilt, “I was dealing with a lot back then, and Mara’s words provoked me. | lost control... It was my fault. | was too impulsive.” Dracon quickly interjected, “In that situation, it was hard to stay rational, and you've paid the price. We can’t label someone a villain for life over a single mistake. Ms. Ashford, don’t take it to heart.” He then shot Vivienne a mocking glance as if to say, “What's it to you?” Karen gave Dracon a warning look. This man was really challenging her patience again, even daring to bully Vivienne in her presence.

“Lessons should be heeded, or the consequences might be severe next time. Wouldn't you agree, Mr. Linklater?” Karen said, her gaze indicating she would not tolerate any further mistreatment towards her daughter.

Dracon chuckled nervously, offering no reply.

Yorick finally spoke, “Gillian now works as a secretary in the Vanguard Agency's secretariat, handling my affairs.

She's very diligent.” Vivienne raised an eyebrow. A secretary in the Vanguard Agency's secretariat? Gillian’s capabilities were proving to be much greater than she had imagined.

Gillian glanced at Vivienne and explained, “Mara didn’t press charges against me. After compensating her mother, | was released from the detention center. | was actually studying to join the Vanguard Agency.” The smile on Vivienne’s face grew. She knew exactly how much ‘ink’ Gillian had in her ‘pen’.

Thinking of joining the Vanguard Agency? Gillian likely did not even know what it was before all this.

But Vivienne’s curiosity was piqued all the more.

How exactly had Gillian connected with F-Poison? When Vivienne first encountered F-Poison, the woman was wearing Gillian’s face.

If there were no connection, how could that be? And without F-Poison’s aid, Gillian would never have been able to get into the Vanguard Agency, no matter how hard she tried.

Even though the secretarial department at Vanguard Agency did not require brute strength, just a clear head, and efficient work ethic, there was no way someone as pampered as Gillian could possess such skills. If she truly had, she wouldn't have caused so much trouble in Sea City.

“Gillian topped this year’s assessments, and that’s why the agency relaxed their standards for her. She really is a sweet girl. | think you two could be great friends,” Yorick said with a warm smile, his eyes crinkled at the corners.

His gaze, however, was murky with the inscrutability of someone long accustomed to power, shrouded in a fog that made it impossible to discern his true intentions.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

Vivienne's pupils contracted slightly, and she nodded quietly. “Yeah, got it.” After seeing Vivienne’s acknowledgment, Yorick began to catch up with Karen on the events of the past years. He already had an understanding of them, but he still sought a detailed account. After all, before Percival cinto the picture, Karen was Yorick’s favored successor.

After dinner, Karen and Vivienne strolled with Yorick in the back garden.

Dracon and Gillian were waiting up ahead.

“These two, mother and daughter, are no easy targets - one more difficult than the other,” Dracon muttered, his eyes flashing with a hint of ferocity.

Gillian, however, didn’t seem surprised by Dracon’s demeanor. Instead, she smiled and said, “Indeed, otherwise our family wouldn't have fallen into disgrace, and Diana wouldn't be locked away in that dark house, out of the sunlight.” At the mention of Diana, a flicker of concern passed through Dracon’s eyes. “I wonder how Diana is doing. I'm really worried about her.” Seeing Dracon'’s lovesick look, Gillian felt a surge of disgust but kept her face neutral.

“Mr. Linklater, | completely understand how you feel. Vivienne and her mother are no angels. If we let them continue like this, the next ones to be locked away might just be you or me.”