The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

After Vivienne’s departure, Kaitlyn broke down in tears.

Seeing her distress, Sadie quickly took her by the hand. “Kaitlyn, sweetheart, what's the matter?” “Mom, it’s nothing. I'm just so happy,” Kaitlyn said, wiping away her tears. “I can finally see a glimmer of hope.” Sadie, moved by her words, began to cry as well. “Yes, after all these years, we can finally see shope.” Kaitlyn held her mother-in-law’s hand tightly and said in a low voice, “I'm sorry, Mom and Dad, for all the trouble I've caused over the years. I'm so grateful that you've stood bythrough everything.” “What are you talking about, you silly girl?” Sadie said, patting her hand. “The moment you married Tyler, you becpart of this family. Besides, do you think we're the type to blyou for things beyond your control? None of this is your fault. It's those people who've hurt your family, and now they're after ours.

Thank goodness for Ms. Hawthorn. She’s no pushover, and with her around, we don’t have to worry about those treasures being stolen from you.” Kaitlyn nodded. “I never imagined that a favor | did years ago would be remembered for so long. | just hope that once Tyler's leg heals, we can all work hard to get back on our feet. And when we're financially stable, we'll repay Ms. Hawthorn.” “That's right,” Sadie agreed. “Ms. Hawthorn’s help is too generous. If it weren't for her, your father and | might have been left incapacitated. We'll pay her back. It’s the right thing to do.” Meanwhile, Julian, after a moment of contemplation, spoke up. “Kaitlyn, I've been thinking. Maybe you should entrust the treasure to Ms. Hawthorn. What do you think?” Kaitlyn paused, contemplating the suggestion.

Julian continued, “Ms. Hawthorn seems very capable. She’s not afraid of the Abernathy family, and she doesn’t seem to care much for ancient warrior lineages either. {x [75 the case, she can surely protect those treasures.” Tyler nodded in agreement. “Kaitlyn, | think Dad's right. It's not that we're afraid or avoiding trouble, but the treasure is too important. We don’t want it falling into the wrong hands. With our current situation, it's nearly impossible to keep it safe...

Today proved it. If it hadn't been for Ms. Hawthorn, Mom and Dad would have been harmed. Moving forward, the family would be relying solely on you. And even then, they wouldn't stop pursuing you. Maybe it's better to entrust the treasure to Ms. Hawthorn. She seems trustworthy and unlikely to use them for harm.” Kaitlyn, her gaze lowered, thought for a while before speaking. “To be honest, | did consider this. But | don’t know if Ms. Hawthorn would be willing to take it.” “Why don’t we ask her when she comes over the day after tomorrow?” suggested Tyler.

“Sounds good.” Across town, the Abernathy estate was in chaos.

Victoria Abernathy stormed in, rage coursing through her veins, and began to smash everything in sight.

Her father, Gavin Abernathy, in the study with Harrison Schram discussing business, heard the commotion and walked out to investigate.

Seeing the mess, Gavin bellowed, “Damn it! What's wrong with you?” Victoria, not caring about Gavin's anger and spotting Harrison, grabbed a vase and hurled it at him. “Useless! Weren't you the one who said Kaitlyn had no one left who could help her? Then how ctoday, she had a young woman by her side who beatwith a single move?” Harrison saw the vase coming but stood his ground, the vase shattering against his head as blood began to trickle down.

Gavin, witnessing this, slapped Victoria. “Have you lost your mind? Is this how | taught you to behave, attacking your husband?” Victoria, clutching her cheek where she'd been hit, had tears swirling in her eyes. “Dad, I'm your daughter. Why do you always side with him? Don’t forget how the Littleton family fell. If he could bring ruin to the Littletons, he could do the sto us, the Abernathys.” “Silence!” Gavin's voice was a cold command. “I know what kind of man Harrison is better than you do.

Remember, he is your husband. Stop treating him with such disdain, or else I'll have you out of this house!” Gavin turned to Harrison and asked, “Are you alright?” “I'm fine, Dad,” Harrison replied, wiping the blood from his forehead.

Turning to Victoria, he said with a forced smile, “My dear, are you upset about Kaitlyn? Is she still refusing to hand over the treasure?” His smile harbored zero sincerity.

Victoria glared back, ready to lash out, but was stopped by Gavin's icy stare. Swallowing her retort, she said bitterly, “It’s not just that she won't give up the treasure. She has someone powerful behind her, someone so young yet with unfathomable skills. Walter and | couldn't even land a hit; we were easily defeated.” Walter was Victoria's bodyguard.

Harrison was taken aback, but before he could respond, Gavin interjected, ‘I personally trained, Walter. his skills are among the best in the Abernathy I family’s guards. How could someone defeat him so easily? Did you do : . san something foolish again?”

Without knowing the whole picture, Gavin had already placed the blon Victoria, nearly driving her to the brink .Her eyes red with fury she retorted

"What do you mean | did something foolish? Dad, everything , I've done was at your bidding. How : p can you blme when things don't ” .

go your way?" “You...” Just as Gavin was about to let loose a string of expletives, he heard Victoria exclaim, “You want to get your hands on what Kaitlyn has, curry favor with the Grimshaw family, useas cannon fodder! You drove Leland away and forcedto marry this backstabbing weasel. And in the end, it’s all my fault? If it wasn’t for Leland, do you think I'd be willing to do your dirty work? What business do | have with that treasure? What grudge do | hold against Kaitlyn? You listen to this weasel every day, exploiting me. Are you really my father?” “You insolent fool! How dare you speak tolike that!” Gavin, red with rage, clutched at his chest and nearly lost his footing.

At that moment, a woman about Victoria's age stepped forward, supporting an elegantly dressed lady in her forties.

Sis, how can you talk to Dad like that? He loves you and spoils you but you , can't just abuse his affection act like an outlaw and show no respect, not even to your own father.

The woman, with her serpentine waist, seemed to ooze a cunning charm from every pore. She was Victoria's stepsister, Sophie.

Seeing this woman, Victoria was instantly incensed and barked, “Shut your mouth! This is none of your business! A bastard child who should be hidden away, just like your mother—you’re both cut from the scloth!”