The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

A group of onlookers gathered on the clearing, their eyes fixed on the unfolding scene, yet none dared to break the silence.

Vivienne and Karen locked eyes, maintaining a safe distance between them under the moonlight that softly illuminated their faces.

Vivienne made the first move, launching a fierce palm strike towards Karen, sending a wave of fallen leaves rustling backward in

Karen's direction and lifting her hair in the process.

With a calm expression, Karen leaned back and effortlessly somersaulted, easily dodging Vivienne's attack.

Landing swiftly, Karen leaped into the air again, her right fist shooting out rapidly and forcefully, aiming straight for Vivienne's

stomach.

Vivienne, with a swift motion, pressed her toe against a nearby towering oak tree and caught Karen's punch with her left hand, a

cracking sound echoing through the air.

Karen smirked, "Thought you could handle my punch with just one hand? Sweetie, you're still too naive."

Vivienne landed, refusing to admit defeat. With her right hand hanging lifelessly by her side, she swept at Karen's feet, causing the

ground's stones to whirl up and shoot towards Karen.

Karen jumped again, dodging with the agility of lightning. Swinging her fists, her moves becmore complex and bewildering,

crisscrossing in a dazzling display.

Vivienne, handicapped by her one usable hand, quickly found herself at a disadvantage, steadily losing ground.

Karen's dominance was evident to all spectators, who had initially worried about her recent recovery fearing she might be too

weak. Yet, they had vastly underestimated Karen's strength.

"What a thrilling match!" Yorick approached, clapping enthusiastically. "Jasper, your Perez family sure breeds them strong. Each

move outdoes the next, neither giving any quarter. This is what true competition looks like."

Jasper laughed heartily. "Having these two gems in my family is an honor for the Perez. Sasha was an unexpected gift, but Vivienne

is no less formidable. Anyone else would've been taken down by Karen's first move."

Percival hurried to Vivienne's side, examining her right hand with a grave expression. "I'll get a doctor for you right now."

Vivienne shook her head. "It's nothing serious. | can handle it myself."

Karen strolled over, casually popping Vivienne's arm back into place, "Frost, do you concede?"

Vivienne met Karen's gaze and simply stated, "l do."

"And will you accept the bet? Acknowledge Arthur as your father?" Karen crossed her arms, her tone authoritative and her

presence commanding.

"I will!" Vivienne nodded.

But agreeing outwardly didn't mean she accepted it inwardly!

Arthur, standing beside Karen, showed concern. "Yaya, weren't you a bit too harsh on our daughter? | thought we agreed on

restraint." His eyes reflected the pain of seeing Vivienne's injured arm.

He then turned to Vivienne, his voice softening. "Vivienne, if you're not ready to accept me, that's okay. You don't have to submit

under your mother's authority. Follow your heart!"

Vivienne idly traced circles on the ground with her toe, her eyes revealing a mix of emotions. "lI accept."

Karen's smile widened, and she pulled Vivienne into a hug. "I knew it. You're my most precious daughter, my little sweetheart."

Vivienne resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

Arthur beamed, "Not only are you your mother's sweetheart, but you're also the heart and soul of my life. I'll always be by your

side!"

"Perfect, I'll oversee the preparations myself!" Arthur declared excitedly.

Yorick, undeterred, responded with a twinkle in his eye, "Don't worry; you won't get that chance!"

He then turned to Percival with a reminder to bring his entire family to the celebration, ensuring it would be an event to remember.

As night deepened, Percival and Vivienne walked side by side on a cobblestone path, Vivienne's bracelet glinting like stars.

Vivienne wrapped her arms around Percival's waist, drawing comfort from his presence as they strolled under the starlit sky.

Percival's eyes twinkled with a hint of amusement, and a warm feeling spread through his heart. He rested his chin on her

shoulder, basking in the comfort of the moment.

Suddenly, Vivienne looked up, her beautiful eyes locking onto his, "It's tto deal with Mara and bring Mom back home."

Percival drove up to a quaint cottage, its walls adorned with ivy, a small but meticulously kept garden, and a roof of dark shingles

and red tiles.

As they got out of the car, a lone figure stood at the door, enveloped in solitude. Nathan stood there, hesitating to enter.

With a steady and calming voice, Percival called out, "Dad."

Nathan turned around, his chin covered in stubble and dark circles under his eyes, the picture of despair and exhaustion.

But upon seeing Percival, his tone carried a hint of reproach, "You haven't cto see your Mom these past few days, leaving her

out here by herself with Isolde. You're growing less considerate with age."

Percival frowned slightly, "I bought this cottage for Mom. I've kept Isolde out of our issues. | told her Mom was just tired and

needed stto relax and have fun."

"To think, at forty, I'd still fall victim to someone's dirty tricks and schemes!"

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