The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Dracon finally turned his attention to Gillian.

Three days prior, Gillian had con behalf of Vanguard Agency to check on Yorick and had met Dracon for the first time.

As they chatted casually, they touched upon Percival and the Perez family’s current situation. It was only then that Dracon realized that Gillian had a bone to pick with Vivienne. Upon further conversation, it becclear that their mutual grievances ran as deep as any of his own.

Their shared desire to deal with Vivienne made them natural allies.

Dracon took a deep breath, “Alright, spill it. How do you wantto work with you? Just as long as it doesn’t harm the Linklater family’s interests.” Dracon was not a fool; while the other kids in the family did not need to lean on the Linklater family for anything, he had to stand firm with them. Without the family’s support, he would be lost.

If avenging Diana meant harming the Linklater family, it was not worth it.

Gillian curved her lips into a sly smile. “I want to get into the Rivenwood headquarters of the Vanguard Agency.” “You're leaving the comfort of Sea City for Rivenwood? That place is crawling with Percival’s cronies!” Dracon exclaimed in surprise.

Gillian’s smile deepened, a hint of ferocity flashing across her face, “Of course | know. It's all Percival’s people there, but how else am | supposed to get close to him?” Dracon looked Gillian up and down. She was attractive enough, with a nice figure to boot.

But compared to Vivienne, she did not hold a candle. Given the choice between the two, he reckoned no man would pick Gillian over Vivienne. Of course, he would not dare say that to Gillian’s face.

“Fine, I'll get you into the Rivenwood General Administraldh.” In the back garden.

Yorick led Karen and Vivienne to an herb garden.

Karen had been here before, but it was a first for Vivienne.

“Take a look around. If you find any herbs of interest, feel free to take them. I've got plenty to spare,” Yorick said, his face breaking into a smile as he looked at Vivienne’s beaming face.

“Thanks, Yorick,” Vivienne said before making her way through the garden.

Such an extensive herb garden — she hadn't seen one like this since the one she planted on Emerald Mountain.

But she had no tto tend to it, leaving it in the hands of those unreliable junior disciples, and it all perished! Since then, Vivienne had no tto cultivate these plants; her interests were far too wide-ranging, and the garden was neglected.

She had not expected the Linklater family to have such a hidden trove of herbs.

Karen gazed at the familiar herb garden, her eyes softening with tenderness.

Yorick let out a sigh of relief. “Lark, who is Vivienne’s father?” Karen snapped back from her reverie, her lips pressing together before she finally whispered, “It's a secret.” “You're keeping secrets from me? At first, | thought you and Micah were an item, but that’s not the case, it seems.” Yorick chuckled.

Back in the day, Karen was highly regarded at the Vanguard Agency, and her skills were extraordinary.

The young men either didn’t dare pursue her, or they secretly pined after her. Aside from Vance, who was too stubborn to see anything but his own way, it was Micah who constantly hovered around Karen, affectionately calling her ‘Boss." “Micah wouldn't fancy me,” Karen deflected, avoiding a direct answer.

But Yorick would not be sidetracked. “Where exactly is Vivienne’s father? I'd like to see the scoundrel who stole away our belle, fathered a child, and then abandoned them both.” Karen looked at Yorick with a smile. “And what would you do if you met Vivienne’s dad? How would you take revenge for me?” “I'd give him a couple of kicks first, then drag him to the interrogation room to get sanswers about where he’s been all these years. I'm gonna skin him alive for abandoning his wife!” Karen laughed out loud. “Alright, I'll remember that promise. When | bring him around someday, you'll have to skin him!” Yorick knew Karen didn’t want to talk about it, so he didn’t press further.

“You always were so level-headed, and it’s a good thing too. Otherwise, after the ‘Destruction Plan’ went south, we would've been completely wiped out.” The failure of that mission was a sore spot not just for Karen and Micah but also for Yorick, who had been the agency head at the time.

“You taughtwell.” Yorick joined in the laughter. “Your father and I, we've been inseparable this lifetime. Who would have thought my favorite agent would turn out to be his daughter? Lark, is there really only room for Vivienne’'s father in your heart?” Karen nodded. “Yes, he’s the only one in my heart, and I've been waiting for him to return.” “Ah, that’s my no-good eldest son’s loss then. | thought I could play matchmaker between you two, but that’s not happening.” Karen's eyes twinkled. “You never talk about your children. Today, seeing Mr. Dracon Linklater, he doesn’t seem to take after you much. What about the others?” Yorick fell silent for a few seconds before saying, “Dracon, indeed, doesn’t have much ambition. He just wants to stay by my side. As for the one who's most like me, that would be our eldest. I'll introduce you when there's a chance. That stubborn mule is just likewhen | was at his age.” “And where is he?” Karen inquired.

Yorick stood and walked towards Vivienne. “He's on his battlefield.” Karen did not ask any more questions. She could tell the location of that “stubborn mule” was top secret.

Yorick watched with amusement as Vivienne cradled the delicate item in her hands. “That, my dear, is a godsend for those restless nights. | myself have been lulled into many a peaceful slumber by it over the past few years.” Vivienne's laughter tinkled through the air. “Indeed, this herb is a tricky one to cultivate—a real rarity. | plan to brew stea with it tonight for Grandpa.” Valerian root, as elusive as it was soothing, was what they marveled at. To have harvested even a small basketful was indeed a stroke of luck.

The Linklater family was certainly extraordinary, their ha trove of wonders.

Yorick bellowed with laughter. “Haha, your granddad is one lucky man to have such a devoted granddaughter. If you fancy it, take smore for him. It'll save him the trip of coming over to beg for more.” “Okay!” Vivienne agreed cheerfully.

After a little more chatter, the mother and daughter bid their farewells to Yorick.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

Gillian lingered behind, and by the tshe was ready to leave, Yorick had retired. Dracon escorted her out.

“Don’t worry, I've made the call. They'll be transferring you shortly,” Dracon assured her.

Gillian nodded in acknowledgment. “And I'm counting on you to handle the Brooks family matter, Mr. Linklater.” “Of course.” After Gillian climbed into her car, she glanced back at the house, bidding Dracon a silent goodbye.

From the driver's seat, a gruff voice broke the silence. “You really know how to live it up, makingyour chauffeur.” Gillian closed her eyes for a brief respite. “It’s for our convenience, you know. Do you think we're out of the woods yet? | met with Vivienne today, and she’s bound to get suspicious.” Mara floored the accelerator. “Gillian, did you try to kill me? Do you have any idea how close | was to buying the farm in the ER?!" Startled, Gillian gripped the armrest tightly. “What are you doing?” “I'm about to give you a taste of what it’s like to dance with death!” With those chilling words, Mara pushed the pedal to the metal, hurtling the car toward the winding mountain road ahead.