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

other side. He couldn’t believe his ears so he asked,

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

Matthew was speechless.

What the hell?

just welcomed Calista back

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

then made his way

drink with Richard when the

have happened to

furrowed as he

the

with Vivienne?” Percival

cleared his throat awkwardly before breaking the news, “I’ve been sent by Vivienne… to annul your

shifted suddenly and there was

on earth

“You little rascal, did you do something to

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

at Matthew. His presence was icy,

to

Calista to marry you instead, so they asked us to cancel your engagement with

a wary eye on Percival for fearing an outburst from the man in front of

remained silent while Richard erupted in anger, “Those thugs have heads full of muck! Are they tired of living comfortably by constantly causing trouble for Vivienne? And what’s Calista’s worth? She thinks she can claim my chosen heir with her homely

yet, and here 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,

won’t stand 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

stormed outside, muttering about blowing up the nursing home where Baron

into the distance, Matthew glanced at Percival,

gave him a

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

let Vivienne down,

Vivienne that the engagement still counts!”

shivered at the response. Clearly, his presence was no longer welcome.

the Brooks family was anxiously awaiting Percival’s