The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)

Sasha's eyes twinkled with amusement as she spoke. She put down her pen and stepped forward to greet Winston personally-after all, he was just a little guy.

Winston toddled over, his little legs moving quickly. He was dressed in a British-inspired outfit, a sea-blue striped button-up shirt paired with navy shorts, a blend of retro and fashionable.

He was carrying a bouquet of vibrant roses, each bloom full and bright, their scent filling the air.

Winston could barely hold the bouquet with one hand and had been clutching it with both as he ran over. Now, looking up at Sasha with excitement, he exclaimed, "Auntie, look at the roses I brought for you!"

Sasha's heart swelled with joy at the sight of the flowers, a happy smile spreading across her face. "These don't look like they were bought; they seem freshly cut, so vibrant."

Winston's voice was soft, "They're from our garden. I asked the gardener to cut them especially for you!"

Feeling even more delighted, Sasha took Winston's hand and found a clear glass vase, filling it with water and arranging the bouquet of roses inside.

Arthur, seeing the bright red roses, couldn't help but smile. "This little guy is really sweet with Sasha. Quite the charmer."

Sitting on the couch, Vivienne raised an eyebrow. She had been at the same party and had seen Winston interacting with his mother, pondering for a moment.

Sasha pulled Winston towards Vivienne, her voice gentle, "This is my daughter, Vivienne."

Vivienne was momentarily taken aback by the unusual family dynamics.

Alyssa and Sasha were about the same age.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

Winston was Alyssa's younger brother.

Normally, Winston would call Sasha "sister."

But Vivienne was over a decade older than Winston...

Vivienne's lips twitched at the oddity, finding it rather surreal.

"Hello, sister..." Winston finally greeted her, a bit shyly.

Vivienne examined Winston carefully, responding warmly, "Hello there."

Sasha then crouched to Winston's level, asking, "Is it just you here?"

Winston suddenly remembered someone was waiting for him outside. He had been so caught up since entering and seeing Sasha that he almost forgot. Alyssa was outside, thinking, "Such a thoughtful little brother!"

Winston's soft voice added, "Auntie, my sister and two of our staff are waiting outside."

Vivienne's eyebrows lifted at the mention. "The Alyssa who came with you last time?"

Winston nodded obediently.

Arthur, meanwhile, was tying a ribbon and frowned, "Didn't I say she's not welcome in the Linklater household anymore?"

Sasha gently tugged at his arm, signaling him to be mindful of the children.

Sasha's mood lightened, "Since she's here, let's invite her in, along with the staff looking after Winston."

Alyssa walked in, her expression tense and fingers clenched. She vividly remembered the disdainful looks from the guards at the door.

"How dare the Linklater family's gatekeepers look at me that way!"

As she entered the hall, her pace slowed, and she adopted a more dignified demeanor, smiling, "Hello... Arthur..."

Arthur was busy with wedding invitations, sealing them with red wax.

Alyssa knew those were invitations, her mood darkening.

Normally, she would have called him Arthur, but this time she corrected herself.

Arthur saw her and instinctively scowled, his voice cold, "What are you doing here?"

Alyssa, trying to salvage her pride

yet determined to prevent Sasha and Arthur's marriage, let tears fall, playing her part perfectly. "Arthur, was wrong about the party incident. I shouldn't have been swayed by Kate's words and treated Ms. Perez with such hostility. I'm here on behalf of the Wright family to apologize, hoping you can forgive and forget."

Sasha's smile was polite but distant. "Take a seat. I'll have someone bring you some tea and pastries."

Alyssa took Sasha's noncommittal response as forgiveness, although it wasn't explicitly stated.

She didn't immediately find a seat, instead looking at Arthur with teary eyes, "Arthur, Sasha has forgiven my indiscretion. Can you not find it in your heart to do the same?" Arthur, focused on the invitations, responded coolly, "Your issue is with Sasha, not me."

With an indifferent glance at Alyssa, Arthur's reaction left her scrambling for a seat, her discomfort evident.

Once the staff brought in tea and snacks, Alyssa delicately tasted a pastry before offering a piece to

Winston. As he bit into it with his et

little teeth,

teeth, one of Winston's

personal staff gently intervened, "Miss, we prefer to check any food given to the young master first."

Alyssa's cheeks flushed with anger, her voice tinged with a shadow of darkness, "just had one of these cupcakes, what could possibly be wrong with it? Don't you trust me? Besides, we're at the Linklater estate, why make a fuss like we're the Wrights? It'd be terrible if word got out that we're inhospitable."

The two maids by her side exchanged uncomfortable glances.

If anything happened to young master Winston, they wouldn't know how to explain it to the Wrights.

Sasha, with a graceful flick of her hand, said airily, "The Linklaters aren't so petty about these things. Just do your jobs, and if it needs checking, then check it. As long as little Winston is safe, that's all that matters."

Alyssa's face turned a shade paler. Wasn't Sasha's comment a slap in the face?

Somehow, Sasha seemed more understanding and considerate, making Alyssa look like she was making life difficult for their own staff.

The maids, touched by Sasha's thoughtfulness, nodded their thanks before proceeding with their portable testing kits to ensure the food was safe. Only then did Winston take a bite.

After his snack, Winston clung affectionately to Sasha, tugging at the hem of her dress and looking around curiously by her side.

Seeing that only ten more invitations were left to address, Sasha gently lifted the little guy, saying softly, "How about I take you for a little tour of the Linklater estate?"

Winston was only five, still too young to understand much.

Sasha wanted to take him outside to play, but given the current tension, bringing him out wasn't safe.

For now, she planned to keep their outing confined to the Linklater estate, offering him a small taste of hospitality.