The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne cradled her mug of steaming coffee, the vaporous tendrils partially veiling her eyes, adding a touch of mystery to her gaze.

Diana’s message to Vivienne was crystal clear: “Remember your place. You're nothing more than an adopted granddaughter, not even by blood. Don’t get too comfortable thinking you're one of us.” She was staking her claim as the Perez family’s one and only darling daughter, warning Vivienne to stay in her lane.

How ironic. Who was really trying to prove they belong? Vivienne chuckled. “I've never been one to hold back around Grandpa. You needn’t worry on my behalf.” Diana let out a few forced laughs, sipping her coffee to mask her insecurity.

This Vivienne, she was certainly not one to mince words! When Zelda and Percival arrived, the dinner table buzzed with their lively conversation. Diana, often finding herself on the periphery, could only offer a strained smile.

The meal passed with her in relative silence.

When it ctto settle the bill, Percival, the only gentleman present, had already discreetly taken care of it.

It would not do to have the ladies pay.

Diana, pleased but pretending to chide, said, “I said this one was on me. Next time, you mustn’t sneak ahead of me.” Zelda rolled her eyes in private disdain. She could not stand Diana's pettiness.

A meal’s cost was hardly worth remembering, was it not? With the evening advancing, Zelda and Diana bid farewefgp Vivienne and Percival.

On the drive back, Percival mentioned, “Leopold's headed to Sea City to take over for Thomas. He's already on his way.” Vivienne acknowledged with a nonchalant, “Expected.” Percival, hands on the wheel, was still puzzling over Vance’s agenda. What was he really after? It was a matter of the mission, and neither Leopold nor Percival would discuss it openly.

Vivienne shifted to a more comfortable position, musing, “Vance sending Leopold to assist Griffin... Could it be related to the ancient warrior lineage?” “Maybe?” Vivienne peered out the window. The recent events were complex, but undeniably, everything seemed to revolve around this ancient warrior lineage. Just how deep did the waters of this enigmatic, vast organization run? As Percival pulled up to Vivienne's place, headlights flashed from the opposite direction—a car she recognized as Maddox's.

Vivienne and Percival exchanged a surprised glance, neither expecting Maddox to show up there.

Vivienne approached the car, “Uncle, what brings you here?” Maddox opened the door. “Get in. We need to talk.” Percival, sensing the seriousness, drove off after watching Vivienne join Maddox.

Maddox drove them to a posh, unfamiliar villa neighborhood, searching for a bit before finding the place.

“Uncle, where are we?” Vivienne inquired.

“Just an old property | bought. Got a bit lost finding it. Dad never wanted to live in such a place, so we let it go to waste. Ah, but | remember the house number and the code,” Maddox said as he unlocked the door. “Con in.” The house clearly had been vacant for a while, with furniture covered in dust sheets.

“Make yourself at home. The place gets cleaned occasionally, but there’s nothing in the fridge. Maybe | should've brought a case of Coke,” Maddox sighed with disdain and regret.

Vivienne was not bothered. “What's up, Uncle? What did you need to seeabout?” Maddox settled in before speaking, “Vivienne, you're aware of the paternity test you took with Grandpa, right?” She paused, then said, “Yes, | know. There was no genetic match.” Maddox rubbed his palms together. “There was a problem with that test. Someone tampered with it, but | haven't found evidence yet. So today, your Uncle Yuri took another sample for testing.” Vivienne’s eyes lifted. “And the results?” “No match again. Otherwise, we wouldn't be here.” Maddox's brows were furrowed, clearly not convinced by the outcome.

Vivienne nodded, her expression unchanged.

Her genes had been altered long ago, and only one person could match her DNA—Scott Brooks.

Even if she were Jasper’s flesh and blood, they could not detect it.

“But Vivienne, | don’t accept this result. I've got people investigating the testing center and the doctor involved.

There's something wrong here,” Maddox stated.

Hearing his determination, Vivienne asked, “Why are you so convinced the test result is fake?” Maddox looked at her with unwavering certainty. “I believe you are my real niece, my sister's daughter.” Vivienne felt a rare surge of kinship, a steadfastness she seldom experienced. She was touched by how firmly Maddox believed she was one of the Perezes.

“Thank you.” Maddox scoffed lightly. “What's there to thank? Ever heard the saying, ‘Uncles and aunties, through thick and thin, the bond's unbreakable, akin to lin’? So, Vivienne, I've decided we'll go get tested in another city. | refuse to believe it could be wrong again.” Vivienne smiled. “There's no need, Uncle. The truth is already out.” Maddox was perplexed. How could it be out already? Vivienne retrieved her phone, showing him the paternity results she had conducted herself. “You are my uncle.” Maddox took the phone, scrutinizing the conclusive result.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

He stared for a long while, so long that Vivienne’s phone screen dimmed several times over.

Although Maddox had always believed deep down that Vivienne was his biological niece, the stark reality before his eyes was still astounding.

“Uncle Maddox, your eyes aren't deceiving you. This paternity test is real,” Vivienne said, her voice tinged with emotion.

She had not planned on revealing the results so soon. After all, she had not fully understood the dynamics within the Perez family, nor did she know who was behind the manipulation.

But with Jasper’s illness yesterday and Maddox's unwavering support today, she no longer wanted to keep secrets.

She had simply wanted to find out who in the Perez family had tampered with the paternity test, and things were becoming clearer now.

Maddox clutched Vivienne’s cell phone in one hand while the other covered his eyes, a choked sob escaping him.

Tears welled up in Vivienne’s eyes, too, spilling over and trailing down her cheeks.

After a long silence, Maddox wiped away his tears and said, “Vivienne, don’t show this paternity test report to your grandfather just yet. And keep it under wraps. I'm worried someone in the Perez family might try to harm you.”