The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

In front of Dorian and Cordelia, Vivienne bit back her frustration, bid them farewell, and headed downstairs. Downstairs, Arthur positioned himself in front of Percival, "You take shotgun, I'll sit in the back with Vivienne." He wanted to be right there, cozying up with his precious daughter in front of him.

Like he was blind to it all.

Percival lifted his finger, his gaze shifting to the vehicle adorned with the emblem of the Linklater family, "This one's mine, yours is over there." Arthur retorted with all the righteousness he could muster, "Who said I drove here? I don't recognize that car!” Leopold couldn't hold back his laughter.

By heavens, if his brothers could see this, they would find it utterly satisfying.

Finally, someone could put Percival, the tough nut, in his place in front of Vivienne.

Vivienne wondered if she could just drive herself home.

The Linklater family.

In the brightly lit hall, Sasha was lounging on the sofa, flipping through an ancient tome.

Seeing her husband and daughter return, her eyes softened with warmth.

"Back already." Arthur approached, lifted her in a twirl, and planted a kiss on her, "Honey, you wouldn't believe how profitable this trip was, all thanks to your advice." Sasha returned the kiss and affectionately stroked Arthur's head, "Told you, just needed the right direction, and success was guaranteed." Arthur's eyes sparkled with more to say, but Sasha's finger on his lips stopped him.

"Your daughter's right here." Vivienne scoffed, picking a chair to sit, "Oh, so you remember you have a daughter. Thought you'd blockedout." Arthur tried to explain, but Sasha stopped him.

Seeing her mother act this way, Vivienne felt a surge of frustration. She knew her mom was head over heels, but this was another level.

"It was you who sent him to the Brooks family." Sasha nodded, "Frost, your dad really wants to bridge the gap. He knows he owes you a lot over the years and wants to make amends, just needs you to give him a chance." Vivienne narrowed her eyes, "I'm not falling for that!" Arthur panicked, fearing another argument, "Honey, daughter, this is on me...” "Shut it, you don't get a say!" Both women spoke in unison.

Arthur, "..." Not wanting to argue with Sasha right then, Vivienne headed upstairs.

Arthur was even more anxious, but Sasha spoke calmly, "I've got leads on what you askedto check." Vivienne paused, her voice tinged with resignation, “Just don't blow up the kitchen, do whatever." In the morning, it seemed like a tough task requiring time. By evening, there were leads.

Clearly, it was a trap set for her, the daughter, to fall into.

Truly her mother, having a husband meant etting her daughter.

Arthur, puzzled, "Honey, does this mean our daughter agrees to eat what I cook?" Sasha's lips curved, taking Arthur's hand, "Withhere, try all one hundred of your tricks to woo our daughter. If one doesn't work, we have ny-nine others. She'lle around eventually." Arthur nodded vigorously, moved, "Honey, you're the best." The next day.

As Vivienne stepped out, the clinking and clanking from the kitchen reached her ears. She descended the stairs, calm.

At the dining table, Sasha was gazing dreamily ahead.

Her gaze was fixed on Arthur, who was bustling in the kitchen.

How could her husband be so handsome! Vivienne, "..." "Where's the food?" Without her husband in view, Sasha's face fell for a second.

ё She tossed a book towards Vivienne as casually as if it were a snack bag, "Everything you're looking for is in here, but beware, it's somewhat sinister." én.sw "What do you mean?" Sasha gave her daughter a teasing look, "Just read the book." Vivienne flipped through the pages, her brow furrowing at the sight of densely packed script, “Wasn't this supposed to involve something foreign?" Sasha's eyes narrowed slightly, "It does does and doesn't. The symbols are indeed from a foreign family known as the Rama family, who vanished overnight after a major incident decades ago, leaving no trace. But how a family from abroad ties to local matters is the question." Hearing this, Vivienne stayed silent, knowing the crux wasing.

Sasha pointed to aplex pattern in the book, "See, after simplifying and overlapping these patterns, it forms this emblem." Vivienne caught on to the hint of a major family's crest being deliberately obscured.

Vivienne gathered her thoughts, "Another hidden family?" Sasha shook her head, "Can't say for sure yet, needs more digging." "But one thing's certain, there's a bigger force behind this symbol. I'll look into the emblem; you might want to dig into the Rama family." Vivienne nodded, understanding the stakes.

A family doesn't just disappear, especially not overnight.

"Honey, daughter,e try the noodles I've made..." Arthur emerged from the kitchen, face smeared with flour.

Sasha's expression softened instantly, full of adoration for the man before her, "Smells amazing, only my husband could pull this off." Vivienne, "..." Arthur set the tray down, his confidence buoyed by Sasha's approval before shifting his focus to Vivienne.

His eyes were nearly brimming with hope.

"Chill." Sasha gave a meaningful glance.

Vivienne was speechless.

She glanced at the bowl in front of her, where the pasta and sauce were almost indistinguishable, and managed to force out, "Not bad." "Really?" Arthur's smile was about to split his face. "Try it, and if you like it, I'll make it for you every day." Vivienne thought: That won't be necessary.

Under their intense gazes that felt like X-rays, Vivienne reluctantly picked up a fork and took a bite.

"Well?" Arthur was so anxious he was practically leaning over her.

Vivienne paused for a moment, then nodded emotionlessly and switched to a spoon to continue eating, finishing the bowl of pasta in two minutes.

Arthur's emotions were on a roller coaster ride.

Nervous and excited all at once.