The Million-Dollar Heart

Holly couldn't believe it. After all these years away from her dad, he still kept her pictures as a keepsake. Her eyes welled up with
tears once more.
"Now that the Abernathy family has fallen, and with all sorts of troubles lurking around, you and Victoria living out there won't be
peaceful. Nobody wants to go back to how things were before," Vivienne warned, her eyes filled with concern as she glanced at
Victoria.
Victoria fully understood what Vivienne meant. She felt deep down that the Ellingtons truly cared for her and treated her like
family. Richard never once held it against her that she was Gavin's daughter. She tugged at Holly's sleeve and said earnestly,
"Mom, it took me forever to find you and be reunited. I don't ever want to be separated from you again. I know you feel guilty
about Grandpa, but going back to him now, being by his side, is a way to make amends. Grandpa's been good to me, even
accepted me as his granddaughter. It shows he definitely cares about you."
Hearing this, Holly wiped away her tears. "I've missed home so much, and I want to be by Dad's side. Percival, take us home,
please. If Dad doesn't want us there, then I'll leave with Victoria." Percival's eyes softened. "Grandpa has always been waiting for
you to come home."
He then scooped Holly into his arms and headed for the car, with Vivienne and Victoria following behind. Thomas drove through
the thick night towards the Ellington estate.
Inside the gates of the YQ Research Center.
Brian was a mess of tears, almost reaching for a handkerchief.
Brody looked at him with disdain, "Are you serious? This is a happy ending, isn't it?"
Brian sniffled, "You don't understand. You're heartless! You don't deserve to speak to me!"
Brody: "Heartless? Please. I'm way more compassionate than you are."
At the Ellington estate.
As Percival's car pulled up, the servants hurried out, all visibly relieved.
The day Richard insisted on keeping Mara, Percival left with a cold expression, and Richard had been losing his appetite, aging
rapidly since then.

A gloom had settled over the entire household, with servants barely daring to breathe too loudly.
Seeing Percival carrying someone, the servants were momentarily stunned. Could the young master's actions spark jealousy in
the young mistress? However, they quickly regained composure, knowing well after years at the Ellington estate to not ask
unnecessary questions.
Approaching Percival, a servant inquired, "Young master, young mistress, you've returned?"
Percival nodded. "Where's Grandpa?"
"He's been waiting for you inside," the servant replied.
Without another word, Percival, holding Holly, walked inside.
Richard sat on the sofa, massaging his temples and sighing intermittently.
Since Cecilia's departure, and with Nathan also absent, the house felt much emptier.
He didn't want to keep Mara against her will, but no one understood his pain.
With only Nathan left of his sons and Percival his only grandson, with young Isolde Ellington still so small, his lineage felt
dangerously thin.
He didn't like Mara, but if she was carrying an Ellington, he couldn't turn her away. The family needed heirs.
He sighed deeply, and as he opened his eyes, he saw Percival and Vivienne.
He stood up abruptly, "Percival, Vivienne, you're back?"
Then seeing someone in Percival's arms, he hesitated, hoping it wasz Cecilia Did you bring Cecilia back? I know I've wronged
her. It's cold outside, bring her to her room, then
come see me in my study
He assumed Cecilia was avoiding him, not wanting to walk the paths of the Ellington estate. He decided to discuss matters with
Percival and Vivienne.
"It's not Mom; it's someone else," Percival replied, "Someone you've been wanting to see."

Holly felt nervous, her palm sweaty.
Richard frowned, his expression darkening as he finally noticed Victoria, quietly standing aside. His heart sank with realization,
yet he dared not voice his thoughts, "Let her down. I want to see."
Percival gently unwrapped Holly and helped her to stand. It was her first time standing after so many years.
Holly raised her tear-filled eyes, her voice trembling, "Dad, I've failed as a daughter, but now I've come to see you."
Richard's gaze intensified, his heart racing as he took in the sight of his daughter, absent for so many years.
Her cheeks were hollow, her nose striking, and around her eyes, a few fine lines betrayed her age. But her eyes themselves
were clear and bright, reflecting a spirit not yet quelled.
"I never thought Percival would bring you back to me. I had almost convinced myself you were long gone," Richard's gaze was
piercing, his voice laden with a gravity that felt as heavy as the world.
"You were once my most cherished daughter, Holly. I had such high hopes for you, and you've let them all down," tears brimmed
in Richard's eyes too, but he fought them back, refusing to let them fall. Hearing these words, Holly felt a weight so oppressive
she found it hard to breathe, let alone meet Richard's gaze. She kept her head down.
But Richard was relentless. "Lift your head. Cowering is for the weak. If Dahlia were here, she'd be heartbroken to see what
you've become!"
"I forbade you from being with that
man, and yet you defied me at every turn, refusing to listen. You've disappointed me, and you've wronged Victoria. She's still a
child, forced into a life of hardship and
scheming, struggling just like
without a decent man to stand by
her side!"
Each word struck Holly like a physical blow. She covered her face with her hands, her frail shoulders shaking violently as tears
streamed through her fingers.

"Dad, it's all my fault. I have no right
to face you or anyone else. I came today to see you one last time, knowing well you won't forgive me.
My only solace is that I can now take
Victoria and leave," she managed to say through her sobs.