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

person looked back to see the others catching

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

twenty–something, buzz–cut man in front of him, “David, you

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

speechless. She had

who had spoken up for

was certainly a

in his direction, “If you hadn’t tricked me, why would I be here with only three people?”

it, the angrier she

then someone came saying one of her friends had too much to drink, so she and three others

was a trap set by

one–on–one, but that bastard brought reinforcements when he couldn’t beat her

to take on so

chit chat! You put my buddy in the hospital last time. This time, you’re leaving with a broken leg. David brandished his stick

is our problem. She’s got nothing to do with it,

his eyes lighting up. She was beautiful!

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

Vivienne, thought for a moment, and said,

a sigh of relief, turning to Vivienne, “Go, now.”

whisper that only Vivienne could hear, “Get word to the Redwood family for me. Tell my

Vivienne was speechless.

was suddenly involved in their dispute,

for her at the Hawthorn’s, she

and took

The Redwood family

so Vivienne had to run. If she was quick, she could make it in ten

other side had twenty people, they were

to herself, “You’d better get here fast, or you won’t have anyone left to

was bracing herself for the fight, Vivienne suddenly

you doing back here?”

mind? Couldn’t she see what was

left, why come back?

more importantly, with Vivienne back, who would get her message

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

taken aback,