The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 40

Vivienne and Isolde were munching on cake when they finally decided on where to eat dinner.

They went for French cuisine!

Given that Isolde was a kid, they ordered some dishes on the lighter side.

By the time they finished dinner, it was already eleven o’clock. Isolde was feeling a bit tired and wanted to head back to get some sleep.

Percival suggested that Thomas should give Vivienne a ride home, but Vivienne refused.

She wanted to take a stroll around the city alone.

Living up in the mountains for a decade, she didn’t get to experience the hustle and bustle of city life. Even on the rare occasions she came down to the city, she would always finish the business, and then head straight back.

The weather was quite nice today, with a cool breeze that made her feel super comfy.

Percival insisted on escorting her home, but Vivienne was adamant about going alone.

In the end, Percival caved in, only reminding her, “Send me a text when you get home, just so I know you’re safe.”

“Alright.”

Thanks to spending the day with Isolde and the delicious strawberry cake, Vivienne was starting to warm up to Percival. She wasn’t as frosty as before and even managed a small smile.

After Percival and the others left, Vivienne started to make her way home.

Tranquil Estates was close to downtown. It was no more than a fifteen–minute stroll.

But Vivienne took her time, taking in the sights of the bustling city.

Halfway home, she was jolted out of her thoughts by frantic shouts from behind her, “Outta the way! Outta the way!

Vivienne turned around to see a group of people running towards her, with another group of stick–wielding folks hot on their heels.

When she caught sight of the person in the lead, she couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.

Well, look who it is!

As they ran up to her, the lead runner suddenly stopped, uttering in surprise, “Miss Vivienne?”

9

catching up, and without missing

they had lost ground and soon found themselves

man in front of

can just run away! In our line of work, winner takes all. It’s your bad luck running into me

speechless. She had walked into a street

the girl who had spoken up for her at

certainly

you hadn’t tricked me, why would I be here with only three people?”

she thought about it, the angrier she got!

someone came saying one of her friends

set by David, and

David to a one–on–one, but that bastard brought reinforcements when he couldn’t beat her – and not just one or

take on so

the hospital last time. This time, you’re leaving with a broken leg.

Fine! But our feud is our problem. She’s got nothing to do with it, let her

at Vivienne, his eyes lighting up. She was beautiful!

drag innocent people into our mess. We’ll settle our

Vivienne, thought for a moment, and said, “Alright!”

relief,

“Get word to the Redwood family for me. Tell my dad if he doesn’t do something, he’ll be looking at my corpse

Vivienne was speechless.

that, she was suddenly involved in their dispute, and now

at the Hawthorn’s, she figured she could help her out this once.

nodded and took

Redwood family wasn’t

so Vivienne had to run. If

though the other side had twenty people, they

better get here fast, or you

for the fight, Vivienne suddenly

frowned, “What are you

of her mind? Couldn’t she see what was

left, why come

back, who would get her message to

walked up to David, “How much

aback,