The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

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Chapter 13

Vivienne’s gaze darkened slightly as she fixed him with a cold stare before finally taking a seat across from him.

Then she turned to the waiter, “I’ll have one of everything… the most expensive stuff you’ve got.”

The waiter was taken aback for a moment, then gently reminded her, “Miss, we have over a hundred dishes here and none of them are cheap. It’s just the two of you. Isn’t that going to be a bit much?”

Vivienne looked up, her red lips curling into a faint smile. Her delicate fingers pointed at Percival across the table, her voice melodious, “Bring us your top three signature dishes first. The rest can be packed up and sent to Tranquil Estates. He’ll pick up the tab.”

The waiter couldn’t help but look at Percival. A smirk tugged at Percival’s lips as he pulled out a bank card and handed it to the waiter, “Do what she says.” With a nod, the waiter walked away.

Soon all three signature dishes were served. Without any hesitation, Vivienne picked up her cutlery and began to eat.

Percival poured her a drink, then filled his own glass with wine, raising it in a toast, “Ms. Hawthorn, I am grateful for your help back in Emerald Mountain.”

He never got the chance to repay her. He could pretty much guess that as soon as he mentioned repayment, she would demand the cancellation of their engagement as her reward.

Vivienne’s beautiful eyes lit up with amusement, narrowing into a slit as she laughed, “As for the repayment, just cancel our engagement.” Percival nearly lost control of his expression.

“I do owe you a favor.” Percival took a sip of his wine, his voice smooth and lingering, “Maybe I could offer myself as payment. How’s that?” “Not interested.”

Vivienne looked him up and down. He was handsome, just a bit shameless.

“Well then…” Percival took out the pendant again, his fingers gently caressing it, still wearing that gentle expression, “how about using this pendant to secure our engagement?”

settling in, “Are

I found your pendant. Don’t you think you should repay me?” Vivienne had the urge to punch Percival. If she had known he was such a scoundrel, she would have left him to be dog food back in Emerald Mountain. She raised her eyes to look at him, then suddenly laughed, “This pendant isn’t that important to me. If you don’t want to give it

corners, this girl… was a hard nut to crack. He placed the pendant in front of Vivienne,

looked up, her expression stern as she stared at

mother’s death, while sorting through her belongings, she found her mother’s pendant missing. She remembered the news she had received, that after her

looking for a person or a

he wouldn’t insist on keeping the engagement. Just because he had found her pendant, and she was his fiancee, the Hawthorn family’s lady, they

on the table, seemingly deep in thought. After a

matter.”

Percival smiled gently, “I’ll wait for

leave, but Percival seemed to suddenly remember something and asked, “One more thing, I need

curving into a wicked smile, “Mr. Ellington, do you think because I saved you, I’m some kind

speak, Vivienne suddenly leaned in close, her face just a foot away from his, a small dagger suddenly appearing in her hand, pressed against his throat. Her lips brushed

long fingers rested on the sharp dagger, he gently took it away from his neck, leaping in to close the distance between them, “Vivienne, are you trying to kill your

closeness, her eyes avoiding

from behind, pulling her even closer, his voice deep and captivating, “I still have some fight in me.

eyes,

What was happening!?

She stood up, putting some distance between them, slowly sheathing her dagger, “You’re too good–looking.

help me save my sister? I promise there will

Someone else treated your injuries that day!” Percival was stunned. Before he could respond, Vivienne spoke, “As for whether we cancel the engagement,

12.50

turned and

the cab back at Tranquil Estates. She barely stepped foot in the neighborhood when she spotted Dorian and Cordelia bolting towards