The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Alyssa raised an eyebrow, her mind racing to catch up with the conversation.

For five years, despite the swirling rumors about Winston's origins, one thing was undeniable: his standing within the Wright family was unshakably higher than theirs.

Hunter truly treated him like his favorite grandson, showering him with affection.

Robbie had tried digging into Winston's true background, to no avail.

And with Hunter's doting, if he ever found out about the rivalry between Robbie and Colin Wright, it wasn't far-fetched to think he might groom Winston as the Wright family's heir.

That would mean all of Robbie's painstaking efforts over the years would simply pave the way for someone else.

Realizing this, Alyssa bluntly asked, "You wantto get rid of him." Only with Winston out of the picture could anyone truly threaten Robbie's influence in the family.

Robbie shook his head lightly, "No need for you to dirty your hands. He's fond of the Linklaters, right? Just find an excuse for him to go to them. Should anything 'unfortunate' happen en route, we're not involved." Alyssa got the message.

Winston was always talking about Sasha. If something happened, she could just pin it on Sasha.

Before Robbie left, Alyssa suddenly asked, "And what about Brianna? Sdeal?" Robbie's gaze darkened, "Colin won't keep her around. If he wants a scapegoat, why shouldn't I oblige?" In the room, Alyssa's eyes were cold and calculating.

As long as they could pin Winston's demise on Sasha...

With Sasha, the Linklater matriarch, accused of murder, Alyssa was keen to see how this 'lovely lady' would manage to maintain her footing within the Linklaters.

The next day.

Vivienne was rudely awakened by a barrage of texts on her phone.

Seeing the first nthat popped up, she immediately hit 'mute'.

Seconds later, the usually quiet Emerald Mountain Disciples' chat group exploded with over a dozen messages, each more urgent than the last.

Jerry Perez: "What's going on? Vivienne's getting married, and I'm the last to know? What happened?" Gary: "A wedding? You've got to be kidding!" Dawson: "Oh no, I just saw the news. My Vivienne's getting married? This is a nightmare." Larry: "Where's Leopold? Drag him out here! How could he keep this from us until now? Is he asking for trouble?" Donald: "Hold on, guys. We're Vivienne's closest kin. There's no way we'd be left out of something this big. Maybe the invite got lost... Vivienne wouldn't keep this from us, and neither would our master." Enzo: "I agree. A wedding's a huge deal. Vivienne wouldn't hide it from us. We're like siblings, and our master wouldn't et us." Eric: "Are you guys sure you're not misunderstanding our master?" Silence fell for a second, then a very ominous voice message popped up.

"Leopold, show yourself!" Leopold Sterling, knee-deep in work, shuddered at the barrage of messages.

His hands, still sore from moving furniture, trembled as he typed, "Guys, I swear it wasn't me. I only found out last night, and I wasn't the one who leaked it." The group chat exploded again, "We got the news yesterday noon, and you're telling us you, right beside Vivienne, only found out last night? Pull the other one!" Jerry: "We all got the message, and if it wasn't you by Vivienne's side, then who else?" Larry: "Don't think you can play both sides and get off scot-free. If we miss Vivienne's wedding, I swear I'll show up at your doorstep!" Leopold was about to lose it when he noticed Percival looming behind him, eyeing his phone.

With a resigned tone, he said, "Percival, I swear I didn't breathe a word. They must've found out sother way, not from me." Percival gave him a chilling look, "I know." "I was the one who sent the message." Leopold, "..." || The disciples were right; this guy was ruthless.

Grinding his teeth, Leopold muttered, "Can't we just be normal for once?" Percival glanced at him disinterestedly, "Oh, there's a house that needs cleaning!" Leopold leaped up, "Being a ghost isn't even this exhausting! I've been at it non-stop for three days. Plus, I've cleaned everything, even the drains." Leopold, || || et being human or a ghost.

He might as well be a dog! Even dogs had it better than him! Percival, knowing his thoughts, merely warned, "Remember, you owe me. And let's not et that recording..." Leopold, "Utterly shameless!" Meanwhile, at the Linklaters'.

Vivienne stared at the sixty-plus missed calls on her phone, ignoring all but the last one from Dorian, half an hour ago.

She called back.

Dorian was ecstatic, "Vivienne, I heard from Percival about the wedding next month. Do you have ttoe over today? Your mom and miss you, and we've got all your favorite dishes." Cordelia chimed in from the side, "Vivienne, how have you been? Busy? Don't worry about us; Dorian's just too excited about your wedding." Then she added in a whisper, "Dorian, really, do you have to be so clueless? A wedding's a big deal. The kids got a lot on her plate. Can't you keep anything to yourself..." Dorian Hawthorn whispered with a chuckle, "Can't you tell? I'm thrilled!" "But what if Vivienne and Percival are swamped with work? You're just making things harder for them," cthe retort.

|| || Listening to the exchange inside, Vivienne felt a wave of nostalgia, reminiscent of her days back at Havenwood Tranquil Estates, a cherished chapter of her life.

She smiled and said, "Dorian, Cordelia, I'm not busy at all. I'll swing by with Mr. Wolf around noon." Dorian brightened up immediately, "Oh, perfect, we'll be waiting." After hanging up, Vivienne called Percival to find out his whereabouts and if he could make it to the Brooks family luncheon. Percival glanced at Leopold beside him and replied with ease, "Sure, I'll pick you up in a bit." The Linklater household.

After breakfast, Sasha pulled Vivienne aside, her expression serious, "Frost, remember that unique symbol you askedto look into? I've stumbled upon something recently..." "Mom, Dad!" Percival entered, his tone respectful, "I'm here for Vivienne." Arthur almost choked on his own breath, taking a good ten seconds to recover.

"Cough cough... What did you call me?" Percival's smile was harmless, "Dad, with Vivienne andgetting married in a month, I thought I'd start getting used to it. You don't mind, do you?" Arthur was speechless.

Seeing his reaction, Sasha stepped forward, patting Arthur on the back with a chuckle, "If it weren't for you holding back, we'd have switched to these titles sooner. Let's stick with it; it does sound nice." Percival nodded with a smile, "Alright, Mom, Dad." Arthur was left wondering if anyone cared to ask for his opinion.