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.

to the point, “Go to the Ellingtons. Annul the

the other side. He couldn’t believe

Vivienne replied coolly. “Just say that the patriarch of the Brooks family and the patriarch of the Ellingtons had arranged a marriage. They now

Matthew was speechless.

What the hell?

back and now they were doing this to

up, Matthew texted Jerry: [The Brooks family wants Vivienne and Percival to break off the

with Jerry and the other eight junior disciples, he had to send a private message to

his way

Mansion and was about to enjoy a drink with Richard when the housekeeper announced Matthew’s arrival. Percival was puzzled because Matthew rarely visited without

something have

brow furrowed as he commanded, “Let him

the housekeeper brought

something wrong with

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

was a palpable tension

up abruptly, “Why on earth

on Percival, “You little rascal, did you do

was at a loss for words. He had no idea at all. He had just left the

looked directly at Matthew. His presence was

resigned sigh, Matthew began to relay the situation at

so they asked us

while, Matthew kept a wary eye on Percival for fearing an outburst

causing trouble for Vivienne? And what’s Calista’s worth? She thinks she can claim

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 me in a

who the hell is she? Her piece of junk thinks she can vie with Vivienne for my grandson? I

blowing up the nursing home

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

him

like he was being haunted, but he managed to keep a smile plastered

Vivienne down, after

the engagement still counts!” he

the response. Clearly, his presence was no longer welcome. So he made his way out

the Brooks family