The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Arthur released his grip, his hands forming fists so tight that his knuckles cracked audibly.

Sasha strode up to Vivienne, seeing the bruise on her face, a surge of anger washed over her.

Then, she turned to Hailey, planting herself firmly before her with a look of superiority, "Pray tell, aunt, why did you harm my daughter?" Hailey rose from the floor, her eyes locked on Sasha with venom, "She was out all night, not returning, mingling with men unbefitting her status. Shouldn't she be disciplined? As your daughter, to leave a wedding reception without a word to you, does that not warrant a punishment?" In a flash, a bright red mark appeared on Hailey's face from Sasha's slap.

Without waiting for Hailey to shriek like a banshee, Sasha swiftly inserted several acupuncture needles into her body, rendering her immobile and mute without Sasha's permission.

Sasha's voice was cold, "Vivienne left with Percival last night, her husband, her lawful husband. It was within all reason and far from the scandal you insinuate!" "You claim Vivienne left without our knowledge, but had I wished to keep her from leaving, she wouldn't have been able to. There was no need for her to ask; my silence was consent!" "That's one reason you deserve this!" In an instant, Sasha's hand connected with Hailey's left cheek again, leaving her almost numb with pain, a trickle of blood emerging from the corner of her mouth.

Sasha allowed Hailey to speak again, "Regardless of what you say, her leaving in the face of our guests was a slap to the Linklater family's dignity!" With another swift slap, Sasha's hand targeted Hailey's left cheek, shaking her to her core.

Sasha continued with a tone of undeniable authority, "It seems to me, the one disregarding the Linklater family's dignity is you!" "Had you not harmed Vivienne, causing this scene, who would care about such trifles? You've dragged our family's nthrough the mud!" "Instead of presenting a united front, you nitpick and trouble my daughter! Do you wish to see the Linklater family fall into disrepute? What right do you have to speak of Vivienne tarnishing our family's name?" With another forceful slap to the left cheek.

Hailey's face was a sight of horror, her left ear ringing.

If not for Sasha's needles paralyzing her, Hailey would've collapsed.

Sasha shook her hand, the pain of her actions echoing through her palm, her eyes sharp, her tonemanding, "Apologize to my daughter!" As Sasha raised her hand again, Hailey, pale and trembling, struggled for breath, at a loss for words.

"Just in t"A chilling voice filled the silent hall followed by a relentless series of slaps, echoing without end, Hailey lying defeated on the floor, her world spinning darkness as the cold voice QA demanded again, "Apologize to my daughter-" Drenched in cold sweat, Hailey finally muttered, "I... I'm sorry... Vivienne." She knew unless she apologized, Sasha wouldn't stop. She couldn't stand against them; she had to endure.

Arthur, seeing Hailey's pitiful state, felt a tinge of satisfaction, "Remember, harm Vivienne again, and you won't get off easily." "Vivienne doesn't need the Linklater family, but we need her! As for you, you need the Linklater family, but we don't need you! You can leave this house anytime!" Yorick, exhausted, warned, "Hailey, not again! The Linklater family won't protect you, and neither will I." Yorick then had two servants escort Hailey away, settling himself on the living room sofa, massaging his temples.

Sasha, approaching Vivienne, couldn't help but chide, "See what trouble you've caused? You're on your way to bing a notorious flirt!" Vivienne, calm, replied, teasingly pulling at her mother's hand, "Perhaps she's more skilled than I am; how else could she have hurt me?" Arthur and Sasha understood Vivienne's implication; there were few who could harm her, making Hailey's abilities all the more suspicious.

Arthur's glance at Yorick was enough, "Do what you must, the Linklater family cannot harbor a cancer under my watch." He slowly got to his feet, feeling as though he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. His gaze locked onto Vivienne, his guilt surging more powerfully than ever, "Vivienne, it's us, the Linklater family, who have wronged you, caused you such distress. I am so sorry, my dear. From now on, Hailey won't have the chance to bully you again.

I'll make sure of it." Vivienne responded with a nonchalant hum, her voice neither light nor heavy. Yorick hadn't yet figured out how to discipline Hailey, and inside, she sighed softly.

Arthur was also filled with remorse. The distance between him and his daughter, evident from Vivienne's cold behavior towards him, left him feeling lost.

His connection with Vivienne was so fragile; he knew he needed to be a father she could rely on! "Vivienne, you and your mom haven't had dinner yet, letcook something for you!" Arthur thought, realizing he had never actually made breakfast for his daughter before. He was determined to step up his game.

Just as Vivienne was about to refuse, Sasha firmly took her hand and guided her to sit down, clearly intent on mending the father- daughter relationship.

"People say daughters are their father's little princesses, but your dad's been missing his princess. Now, it's tto fix that leaky castle," Sasha said, playfully twisting themon saying to suit their situation, hoping to lighten the mood and bridge the gap between father and daughter. mmMwWLlilOfiflo&1 mmMwWLlilOfiflO&1 mmMwWLliI0fiflO&1 mmMwWLlilOfiflO&1 mmMwWLliI0fifl0&1 mmMwWLlilOfiflO&1