The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Percival Ellington stared at his phone for a moment before slipping it back into his pocket, his brow furrowed in confusion. What now? Just as he was about to stop Vivienne Hawthorn from pouring another glass of whiskey, a commotion erupted at the front door. "Our boss says Arthur Linklater and dogs are not welchere!" announced the doorman, who doubled as a security guard. Arthur's indomitable voice followed, "Think you can stopwith that scrawny frame?" The security guard hesitated, "... I can't stop you, but that doesn't mean I'll let you in!" Arthur snorted and made his way inside. The other guards quickly formed a circle around Arthur, attempting to block his entry.

Arthur signaled to Shane and Dante behind him. Understanding the cue, they stepped forward; each grabbed a couple of guards in a friendly manner, "Fellas, let's go have a chat about life. No need to make this hard on yourselves." With only four guards at the door, they found themselves unable to break free from Shane and Dante's grip, exchanging bewildered looks.

How is this happening? They were accomplished in martial arts, yet they couldn't move an inch in these two's hold? While they were still in shock, Shane and Dante dragged them aside.

The guards could only watch as Arthur entered the Perez Manor, with one shouting in vain, "Hey! You can't go in there!" Before he could finish, Shane lit a cigarette and casually placed it in the guard's mouth.

Arthur, as if he owned the place, made his way into the Perez family's gathering. Noticing they were still drinking, he nonchalantly sat down, dropping his backpack under the chair, and announced, "Hey, Dad, you're eating? Good, I haven't had dinner yet." Jasper's face turned as dark as thunder, "How thick is your skin?" Arthur grabbed a chicken leg, took a bite, and replied, "Thick as a castle wall!" Jasper was speechless.

Maddox Perez, observing Arthur's brazen demeanor, slammed his fist on the table, fuming, "Arthur, are you blind? Didn't you see the banner at the door? It clearly states, 'Arthur and dogs not allowed!"" The banner was Maddox's doing right before dinner, anticipating Arthur's shameless return to the Perez Manor. He had it put up as a clear message.

But Arthur, shameless as ever, acted as if he hadn't seen it.

Sitting next to Zelda Lynette, who had several unopened beer bottles in front of her, Arthur casually grabbed one, popped it open, and downed half in one go, laughing heartily, "Ah, that's refreshing! It's been ages since I had a drink. Let's all have a good ttonight!" Maddox, ignored, was livid, "Hey! I'm talking to you!" Arthur set down the bottle, then turned to Maddox, "The banner? Oh, I saw it." "Then why the hell did you still cin? Where's your shame?" Maddox roared.

"I'm no longer a Linklater, so why should I care about what's written on that banner?" Arthur declared as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Maddox was flabbergasted, "Have you lost your mind?" Arthur, ignoring the confusion, pulled out a red document from his backpack and handed it to Maddox, "I've changed my name. Call'Arthur South' from now on." Maddox stared at the document, his eyes nearly popping out of his head in disbelief, "Holy shit! You're serious?" It was Arthur's official document, indicating his separation from the Yorick lineage.

Maddox was speechless.

Was Arthur out of his mind? Changing one's nwasn't a simple affair, especially for someone of Arthur's stature, known as the War God. It would be a bureaucratic nightmare.

Jasper, examining the document and the nchange, was equally stunned.

Arthur, now serious, stood up, ddressing Jasper with a respectful ow, "Dad, when I, Arthur, give my vord, it'szas solid as iron. If Karen f she wants anything fromwher she wakes up, even my life for all the ain I've caused her, I won't hesitate But until then, marrying her is my absolute goal." ¡wIn that moment, Arthur's demeanor was that of the seasoned War God, yet he deliberately softened his presence, hoping to convey his sincerity to the Perez family. S Jasper was at a loss.

He really didn't want to marry his daughter to Arthur. But Arthur was dead serious, even changing his name! What could he possibly do now? All eyes were on Arthur, completely missing Vivienne, who had emptied ten bottles of beer, her face flushed and her body swaying.

Leaning on one hand, she watched Arthur with eyes full of mischief and a sly smile playing on her lips.

Jasper, holding the document, looked back and forth between it and Arthur, struggling to find words.

The Perez siblings, too, were at a loss, and the dining room, once filled with laughter, fell into an awkward silence.

"Bang!" Just like that, Vivienne slammed her hand on the table, standing up with a fierce look, and barked, "Attention!" Everyone, "???" Seeing no one moved, Vivienne slapped the table again, her voice harsh, "I said, attention!" Confusion reigned at the dinner table.

Maddox was the first to snap out of it, leaning to Percival and whispering, "What's with Vivienne? She seems... off?" Percival was just as baffled.

She was enjoying her wine just fine, what's with the sudden flip? Then it hit him, Jerry Perez's frantic call.

It seemed the moment Jerry heard Vivienne was drinking, he reacted as if his tail was on fire, cutting the call short. Percival had a sinking feeling.

No sooner had this thought crossed his mind than Vivienne spun around, grabbed his arm, and with a sharp tug, his arm was- broken! Percival, "!!!" Everyone was stunned! What was happening? Wasn't Vivienne head over heels for Percival? Why on earth would she dislocate his arm? Before anyone could recover, Vivienne, with astonishing speed, proceeded to dislocate everyone's arms, except for Jasper's.

And why Jasper was spared...

Well, Vivienne mentioned, "He's like my grandpa, so he gets a pass!" But here's the kicker: none could retaliate! This was their pampered little princess, after all! elAs everyone stood dumbfounded, Vivienne spoke with an icy command, "Everyone, a twenty-kilometer cross-country run with full gear, now-" S She pointed at Arthur, "You're leading!"