The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The room fell into a stunned silence as Vivienne’s declaration hung in the air.

She had actually agreed to it?

How could she possibly agree?

Ever since her engagement to Percival, their interactions had been the subject of much scrutiny. Vivienne may have seemed aloof on the surface, but she treated Percival differently from everyone else. It was commonly believed that Vivienne held a fondness for him.

Yet, she had just consented to break off the engagement?

Kala and Carl sat with their mouths agape, words failing them.

Even Judith, Scott and Timothy were taken aback by Vivienne’s ready acquiescence.

Particularly Judith. She had braced herself for a battle of words when she broached the subject. But to her astonishment, Vivienne had capitulated so easily with barely a sentence spoken.

Kala was the first to snap back to reality from the prolonged moment of shock. She hurried to Vivienne’s side and took a seat, pleading, “Vivienne, think this through. I know it’s upsetting that Scott is acknowledging Calista, but you can’t just gamble with your happiness like this.”

Kala grasped Vivienne’s hand earnestly, trying to reason with her. She assumed Vivienne was agreeing to the annulment because of Calista.

But Vivienne simply turned to her with a sudden smile. “Seems like she’s got quite the influence, doesn’t she? Should we just indulge her?” she retorted.

Her smile was enchanting, and for a moment, Kala was utterly spellbound and forgetting to respond.

Judith, on the other hand, was relieved; a smile graced her face at last.

Vivienne was no longer at odds with her. She thought.

“Good! This is for the best. From now on the Brooks family can finally be at peace,. Nothing is better than family unity,” she said with warmth in her voice.

Calista, coming to her senses, quickly chimed in, “Sis, I’ve made a mistake. Whatever you need, just tell me. I’ll do whatever I can to make it up to you.”

There was a hint of guilt on her face whereas it was tinged with a smug satisfaction. The thought of becoming Percival’s woman filled her with a rush of exhilaration.

Percival would ultimately be hers.

Vivienne scoffed and pulled out her cell phone, dialing Matthew.

she got straight to the point, “Go to the

was stunned on the other side. He couldn’t believe his ears so he

Ellingtons had arranged a marriage. They now request that the most accomplished granddaughter of the Brooks family marry the heir of

Matthew was speechless.

What the hell?

had just welcomed Calista back

Matthew texted Jerry: [The Brooks family wants Vivienne and

and the other eight

made his way

about to enjoy a drink with Richard when the

have happened

brow furrowed as he commanded, “Let

time, the housekeeper brought

wrong with

that Percival was unaware of the situation, Matthew cleared his throat awkwardly before breaking the news, “I’ve

atmosphere shifted suddenly and there was a palpable tension emanating

“Why on earth would they annul a perfectly good

on Percival, “You little rascal, did

He had no idea at all. He had just left the Brooks Mansion, where everything

His presence was

a resigned sigh, Matthew began to relay the

agreement with the Ellingtons. They want Calista to marry you instead, so they asked us to cancel your engagement with Vivienne. Vivienne is a dutiful grandchild, so she’s decided to go along with the Brooks

for fearing an

Are they tired of living comfortably by constantly causing trouble for Vivienne? And what’s Calista’s worth? She thinks she can claim

they were, giving my darling Vivienne a hard time. If I were to pass away, what then? That old cap Baron is unable to keep his house in order. No wonder the Brooks can’t hold a candle to the Ellingtons. With that attitude, he’d never catch up to

for this,” Richard fumed, “I handpicked Vivienne to be my granddaughter-in-law, and anyone bullies her will walk over my dead body! As for Calista, who the hell is she? Her piece of junk thinks she can vie with Vivienne for my grandson? I will never recognize that girl as a

muttering about blowing up the nursing home where Baron

vanished into the distance, Matthew glanced at Percival, “Should I

gave him a sidelong

haunted, but he managed

let Vivienne down,

tell Vivienne that the engagement

Clearly, his presence was no longer welcome. So he made his

Mansion, the Brooks family was anxiously awaiting Percival’s