The Million-Dollar Heart

Vivienne's back stiffened, her usually delicate face now as dark as a thundercloud, pitch black and stormy.
Percival barely suppressed a smirk.
When had the so-called "War God" become such a fool?
Arthur: "Hey, kid, watch your mouth. I am your future father-in-law. Be careful, or I might not let her marry you!"
Percival: "Do you really think you hold that much sway in my lady's heart?"
Arthur: ...
Stabbed in the heart!
Jasper, on the other hand, didn't catch the tension between Vivienne and Percival. He was distracted by an almost maniacal
voice growing louder outside, approaching rapidly.
"When did Arthur arrive? What's he doing here?" Jasper wondered aloud.
The Perez and the Linklater families were acquaintances, but barely interacted.
Their most significant connection was through Yorick, who had a slight acquaintance with a few of the Perez sons. Arthur, known
far and wide for his military exploits as the "War God" of Veridia, was respected by the Perez family, though they rarely saw him,
given his duties.
"Why has Arthur come to the Perez household now? And in such a hurry?" Jasper pondered.
As Jasper stood there, puzzled, Arthur approached, hands clasped in apology, "Dad! Sorry I'm late! I'll make it up to the family, I
promise!"
Jasper, "?!"
Maddox, Yuri, and Luke Perez emerged, equally baffled. "What's going on?"
Arthur calling Jasper "Dad"? Was he sleepwalking?
This was serious. A sleepwalking "War God" could spell disaster!

Jasper was the first to regain composure. "Uh, Arthur, did you forget to take your meds today... Ahem, I mean, what's gotten into
you, calling me 'Dad'?" "While I'd love to have a 'War God' for a son, I'm not about to steal someone else's, especially not my
daughter's mentor's son. That's completely off-limits!" Arthur, dead serious, offered, "Dad, a son-in-law is as good as a son. If you
wish, I'll even change my last name to South! I'll be Arthur South from now on!" Jasper, "?!"
The Perez brothers, "?!"
Vivienne remained expressionless.
Percival pinched the bridge of his nose, speechless.
The atmosphere turned exceedingly awkward.
After a long pause, Jasper finally managed, "This is big news! Think it through, Arthur!"
Arthur was about to respond when Jasper cut him off, "If you're sure, we can head to the courthouse now to change your name!"
Imagine, a "War God" as his son! Jasper wouldn't dream of letting such an opportunity slip through his fingers.
Vivienne glanced at Jasper, unimpressed.
"There's no need for that hassle. With all I've done for the country, changing my name and transferring households is just a
phone call away," Arthur, now beaming, said, "Since you've accepted me as your son I have something to say."
"Go ahead!" Jasper, basking in the joy of gaining a "War God" son, was unprepared for Arthur's next bombshell.
"I've owed Winnie... I mean, Karen, a wedding for over twenty years. It's time to make it right. She's still unconscious, which isn't
ideal for a wedding, but I can't wait any longer. I need to give her and our daughter their due recognition. They've suffered
because of my absence, and I want to make it up to them. I've set the wedding date for ten days from now."
Before Jasper could react, Arthur continued, "Originally, I wanted it sooner, but the soothsayer advised against it. Ten days from
now is auspicious for marriage. Don't worry about the dowry; I'm offering ten billion dollars, ten houses, ten luxury cars, ten plots
in Rivenwood suburb, a hundred sets of jewelry, a hundred outfits, and I'm even willing to take your family name if it pleases
you."
"As for the bride's dowry, we won't need one. Whatever she wants, I'll provide." Percival, "..."
Damn!

The "War God" was setting the bar high. How could he compete with that?
He needed to up his game, perhaps doubling what the "War God" offered, but his finances were tied up in supporting the nation
and the war effort.
He might need to turn to Fariana Isle for a quick fortune.
Leopold and Thomas, dealing with the Grimshaw family's fallout, sensed trouble brewing.
Meanwhile, Jasper was reeling from Arthur's proclamation.
Yuri, Maddock, and Luke were stunned, having heard something even more shocking than Arthur adopting Jasper as his
"father."
Vivienne remained stoic.
And back at the Linklater household, Yorick was having a breakdown in the bathroom.
Arthur, seeing the Perez family's dumbfounded expressions, turned to Vivienne, "My daughter, I'm sorry for arriving late and for
all the hardships you and your mother have endured. Forgive me. With me here, no one will dare harm you again."
Vivienne took a step back, her eyes cold as ice, her voice flat, "Mr. Linklater, let's not play pretend here. You and I, we're nothing
to each other!"
"But we are!" Arthur insisted, his
voice laden with emotion. "You're my
daughter. I had a paternity test done
at your lab, proving you're my
a
biological daughter! I know you're mad at me, and it's okay if you want to yell or hit me. All I ask is for chance to make things
right. Give your old man a chance to redeem himself!"

"And what of it?" Vivienne replied, unimpressed. "My dad died a long time ago. You're just a stranger with the same blood
running through your veins, nothing more!" Arthur was taken aback. "My blood in your veins?"
Had he gotten that backwards?
But it didn't matter. Whatever his daughter said was law.
"It's alright, it's alright. If you want me to 'die' again, I suppose that's fine. After all, you're the miracle worker here; you could bring
me back to life," Arthur said with a chuckle.
Vivienne just stared. "How can you be so shameless?"
With a frown, she said, "I told you, if I don't acknowledge you, that's it. Now leave, and stop bothering me!"
Annoying!
Before Arthur could respond, Jasper, who had been silent, suddenly snapped back to reality. He let out a roar, "Hold on a minute!
Did you just say you're the deadbeat who disappeared for over two decades, never caring about my daughter and her mother?"
Jasper cleared his ears, as if he couldn't believe what he'd heard. "I must have misheard. Say that again, will you?"