The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)

Arthur watched Vivienne's retreating figure disappear into her room, then turned his attention to the rock-hard molasses cookies on the table. Despite his best efforts, he couldn't bite into them without nearly breaking a tooth. With a grimace, he complained to Sasha, "Honey, it's another flop..."

His mind flashed back to the day Sasha had been unconscious in the hospital, and he'd tried to cheer Vivienne with a nursery rhyme, only to face utter defeat. Big Wolf, their loyal dog, looked up at Sasha with a pitiful expression.

Sasha couldn't stand seeing Arthur this way and rubbed his head, encouragingly saying, "There are more than a hundred ways to win your daughter's heart, and you've barely scratched the surface. You've made a little progress, at least. Just think of something else. I'm sure Frost will open up to you in time!"

Arthur frowned in thought. He needed to come up with a significantly effective plan, ideally with some expert advice to advance at least fifty steps.

Racking his brain, he found no solution and said to Sasha, "I've searched online for ways to bond with daughters, but nothing seems to fit our situation."

Lightbulb going off, Sasha suggested, "Why don't you ask Dorian for advice? Vivienne holds him in high regard, almost like a father figure. Maybe he can give you some insight into opening Vivienne's heart." Arthur slapped his thigh, excited. "That's it! Why didn't I think of that? I'll find a way to get in touch with him right away!"

He hugged Sasha, his eyes sparkling with joy.

The Wright family.

Brianna approached the pristine white door and knocked, her emotions a mix of joy and anger.

A man's refined voice beckoned from inside, "Come in."

Brianna had stormed into Colin Wright's room the last time, upset over Vivienne. Colin had let it slide with a mild warning. Normally, he might have reprimanded her.

She cautiously entered, finding Colin with the same book as last time. He elegantly removed his spectacles and set them on the desk, massaging his temples wearily.

"Brother, have you heard about what happened to Alyssa? Since she was brought back yesterday, I haven't seen her," Brianna cautiously began, her voice betraying a hint of excitement and schadenfreude. Colin looked puzzled. "She was brought back? Another embarrassment for the Wright family, I'm sure she's not off easy."

"Bro, you're just finding out she was brought back last night? You shouldn't coop up in your study all day. Didn't you always tell me how crucial it is to stay informed?" Brianna complained, shaking Colin's arm.

"If you want to know about Alyssa, our older brother would know best. But I'd advise against bothering him; he's in a foul mood," Colin warned.

Brianna wouldn't dare confront their brother, venting her frustration. "Even if Alyssa's support is weakened, that witch Vivienne hasn't been punished yet!"

She couldn't stand this fact.

Alyssa, utterly useless, had failed her twice and nearly killed Winston, their grandfather's favorite. How could their grandfather ever forgive her?

Brianna could almost predict Alyssa's miserable fate.

And if grandfather decided to disown Alyssa, Brianna's standing in the Wright family could...

Colin saw through her thoughts. "With our brother there, Alyssa won't be disowned. You still have a chance."

Brianna's dark intentions briefly surfaced before she masked them with curiosity. "I understand."

After this incident, the Linklater and Perez families would surely be more protective of Sasha and her daughter. Brianna knew better than to act against these two powerful families alone. The man with a sickly expression stood up to return the book to the shelf. "Just avoid our brother, and don't cause me trouble."

"Of course."

Knowing her brother's temperament-indulgent when in a good mood but colder than their grandfather when not-Brianna left for the castle's basement.

To her, the most chilling part of the Wright family was here.

Alyssa had once again angered their grandfather, shaming the entire Wright family.

Prideful as he was, not breaking her leg would seem too lenient a punishment for the humiliation brought upon the family.NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

Remembering the last time she saw the great Wolf dog made Brianna shiver, too frightened to even knock. She whispered, seeking any sign of her sister.

"Sister, are you okay? I've heard

about what happened. It's not your

fault; it's all because of that wretch Vivienne. If she hadn't schemed

against you, you wouldn't have been caught."

"Sister?"

Silence.

Brianna frowned, tentatively reaching for the doorknob, "She couldn't be dead, could she?"

"Who did you say is dead?"

A chilling voice came from behind, freezing Brianna in place.

Seeing the newcomer, Brianna's face turned even paler, "Big, big brother!"

Her worst fears realized.

How was he here?

Robbie's gaze swept past Brianna to the door and then slowly settled on her, his presence as oppressive as a mountain. "Who sent you here?" Brianna was guilty but tried to maintain an appearance of concern.

"Big brother, I was worried about sister. You know we've always been close. With such a big incident, I had to come and see."

"Worried for her?"

A flash of coldness in Robbie's eyes.

Brianna saw it but dared not provoke him further.

"Come on, bro, how can you even say that? Sure, Liz and I don't share the same mom, but at the end of the day, we're both Wrights. If Liz is getting a raw deal, you bet I'm on her side."

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"Don't you know what Grandpa said?" Robbie shot back, his gaze icy.

Liz blinked, confused. "What are you talking about?"

"Anyone who meddles in Alyssa's business will be punished just the same."

Her face paled. "Rob, what do you mean by that? I was just..."

"Alyssa's been pining over Arthur for years. It's understandable she'd be bitter. Now, someone's trying to take advantage of that. As her brother, there's no way I'm letting that slide."

A chill ran down Liz's spine as she met Robbie's penetrating gaze. She wanted to argue but couldn't find the words.

Defeated, she turned and slunk away.

As Robbie watched her retreat, he turned and made his way deeper into the castle.

To the outside world, this place was off-limits, a no-go area for all Wrights. Little did they know the secrets that lay beneath the ancient castle.