The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Diana flipped open the report, her eyes widening in disbelief as she saw today’s date stamped at the top.

“What on earth?” She exclaimed, her voice tinged with alarm.

How could this be happening? Why had Yuri not given up on the paternity test with Vivienne? She had already tampered with the test results back in Sea City! Gillian shrugged dismissively. “How should | know? If | had not been on my toes, Vivienne’s true identity would have been exposed by now. Ms. Perez, it seems your standing in the Perez family is hanging by a thread.” “There's no need for your reminder, F-Poison!” Diana snapped back, her eyes ablaze with resentment.

And the woman in the villa, the one masquerading under Gillian’s guise, was indeed F-Poison.

F-Poison examined her reflection in the mirror, apparently quite pleased with her current facade. She reveled in Diana’s animosity without a hint of discomfort.

“Ms. Perez, anger leads to wrinkles, you know. You're still so young; you should take care of your skin,” F-Poison advised, patting her own face gently.

Diana tore the paternity report into shreds and tossed it angrily into the trash bin.

She sat back, her gaze heavy with a cold intent. “Says someone who doesn’t have to live off her own face. Do you really care about it?” F-Poison did not shy away from the question. “Of course, | take good care of my skin. Even with a mask, | wouldn't let it suffer. A woman should never neglect herself.” As F-Poison spoke, she settled opposite Diana, lifting a glass of red wine. “Ms. Perez, I've done you a huge favor.

Shouldn't | see sform of gratitude by now?” [x] Diana took a deep breath, her agitation subsiding. “I’ve only just arrived in Rivenwood, using my father’s illness as an excuse to come. Otherwise, the Perez family wouldn't have wantedhere, fearing I'd charm my father into handing over the family fortune to me.” “But you are here now, aren’t you? When will you fulfill your promise?” F-Poison’s tone was light, as though she was commenting on the fine taste of the wine.

But Diana stiffened, a tingling sense of dread washing over her. She swallowed hard, fighting to keep her hands steady. “I'll make good on my promise soon enough. Don’t worry, | haven't forgotten our deal.” F-Poison swirled her glass, the wine tracing her lips, her calm eyes betraying a hint of danger.

Diana averted her gaze, not daring to meet F-Poison’s eyes.

“Then, Ms. Perez, | look forward to our continued partnership. Don’t disappoint me,” F-Poison said with a smile, standing to pour another glass of wine.

Diana breathed a sigh of relief. “Enjoy your drink. | must be going.” “Take care,” F-Poison replied, still with her back to Diana, her voice airy and detached.

Diana hurried out of the villa and rushed to her car, her hands finally ceasing their tremble after a long moment.

Leaning on the steering wheel, she was haunted by the memory of that fateful day.

She was six years old.

In the Perez Mansion’s backyard, she had watched a man scale the fence and approach herself and Sasha as they played.

As protective as ever, Sasha positioned herself in front of Diana, eyeing the intruder warily. “Who are you? What are you doing in our yard?” The man, his features obscured by a half-mask, revealed only his lips, shadowed by a faint stubble.

He crouched down, smiling at Sasha’s question. “You must be Sasha, about the sage as my daughter. I'm F- Poison. It’s our first meeting, and | didn’t bring a gift. You don’t mind, do you?” Sasha remained vigilant. “What do you want? Stay away from us!” “I'm here to take you away, make your father lose you forever. That’s my fun. Con, Sasha. Let's go,” F- Poison said, extending a hand toward Sasha, his demeanor still pleasant.

Diana, hidden behind Sasha, did not know what to do.

But when she heard ‘make your father lose you forever,” something stirred within her.

She glanced at Sasha, who was fiercely protecting her, and took a step back.

Sasha was ready to fight, confident in her own skills. Yet, Diana picked up a stone and struck Sasha hard on the head.

Sasha turned with disbelief in her eyes before collapsing into darkness.

Diana handed the stone to F-Poison, her voice timid. “You said to make her go away from Dad forever.” The sound of the car horn snapped Diana back to reality, her forehead slick with sweat.

She sat up straight, took a deep breath, and started the car, her gaze hardening with resolve.

‘Sasha, | won't let your daughter return to the Perez family. | managed to get rid of you thirty years ago. | won't let your daughter becan obstacle now!” With malice, she thought.

At the Rivenwood Penitentiary.

Vivienne pushed through the doors.

Inside, Flynn was curled up on the floor, clutching at his collar, gasping for breath, his body tormented as if covered in crawling ants, both painful and itching.

Vivienne took a seat, twirling a lollipop in her mouth, her face etched with a mocking smile.

“Uncle Flynn, you seem to be in quite a bit of pain,” she remarked, her tone dripping with sarcasm as she flipped the lollipop.

Flynn was Percival’s favorite uncle in the Ellington family, a figure he had admired since childhood.

In Percival’s heart, Flynn's stature was no less than Richard Ellington's.

But what had Flynn done? He exploited Percival’s trust, gradually cornering him, plunging him into the maelstrom tand again.

In the final moments, Flynn had the audacity to try to use the entire Ellington family to manipulate Percival.

And for what? A mere inheritance dispute.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

It was ludicrous. Had Flynn but asked, Percival would have willingly stepped aside from the heir’s seat. He was only the heir because Flynn claimed he had no desire to inherit the Ellington family.

Percival never cared for the title of heir to the Ellington family.

Yet the empire Richard had built needed a reliable successor to carry on the legacy.

Once things settled down, Percival intended to pass the baton to Flynn.

But he had never anticipated...

This betrayal had always been a thorn in Percival’s side.

Though he never spoke of it, Vivienne knew.

There Flynn was, curled up, his hands clutching his stomach, eyes glaring at Vivienne with venomous fury.

“Where's the antidote?” Flynn roared, but no matter how fiercely he bellowed, it did nothing to change the fact that he was but a caged lion.

His former glory had long since faded away.

Vivienne glanced at her watch and said calmly, “Congratulations, you've survived the poison’s torment once more.”