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

the others catching

they had lost ground and soon found

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

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

had walked into a

who had spoken up for her at the Hawthorn family banquet, from the Redwood

certainly a

spat in his direction, “If you hadn’t tricked me, why would I be here

thought about it,

a bite with some friends. But then someone came saying one of her friends had too much to

was a trap set by David, and they

bastard brought reinforcements when he couldn’t beat her – and

she supposed to take on so many people?

the chit chat! You put my buddy in the hospital last time. This time, you’re leaving

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

glanced at Vivienne, his eyes lighting up.

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

away from Vivienne, thought

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

hear, “Get word to the Redwood family for

Vivienne was speechless.

that, she was suddenly involved in their

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

nodded and

relief. The Redwood family wasn’t far, about a five–minute drive.

cab wasn’t really an option right now, so Vivienne had to run. If she was quick, she could make

had twenty people, they were four. They could hold out for

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

for the

are you

Couldn’t

why come back?

with Vivienne back, who would get her

David, “How much were the medical bills for

was taken aback, “Three