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

to see the others catching

because of Vivienne’s delay, they had lost ground and soon

anger flashing in her eyes as she addressed a twenty–something, buzz–cut man in front of him, “David, you

But don’t think you can just run away! In our line of work, winner takes all. It’s your bad luck running into me today! If you’ve got the guts, bring your own backup!” David retorted fiercely.

was left speechless. She had walked into a street fight?

spoken up for her at the Hawthorn family banquet,

was certainly a

direction, “If you hadn’t tricked me,

she thought about it, the angrier

someone came saying one of her friends had too much to drink, so she

trap set by David, and they

when he couldn’t beat her – and not

on

buddy in the hospital last time. This time,

She’s got nothing to do with it, let her go.”

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

Don’t drag innocent people into our mess. We’ll settle our

tore his gaze away from Vivienne, thought

a sigh of relief, turning

whisper that only Vivienne could hear, “Get word to the Redwood family for me. Tell my dad if he doesn’t do something, he’ll

Vivienne was speechless.

she was suddenly involved in their dispute, and now she

the Hawthorn’s,

nodded and took off.

go, Charlotte sighed in relief. The Redwood family wasn’t far, about a five–minute

an option right now, so Vivienne had to run. If she

the other side had twenty people, they were four. They could hold

herself, “You’d better get here fast, or

as Charlotte was bracing herself for the fight, Vivienne

“What are you doing back

her mind? Couldn’t she see what was going

why come back?

importantly, with Vivienne back, who would get

to David, “How much were the medical bills for your injured

was taken aback, “Three