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.

quickly and she got straight to the point, “Go

the other side. He couldn’t believe

the Brooks family and the patriarch of the Ellingtons had arranged a marriage. They now request

Matthew was speechless.

What the hell?

family had just welcomed Calista back and now they were doing this to

hanging up, Matthew texted Jerry: [The Brooks family wants Vivienne and Percival

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

his way to the Ellington

returned from the Brooks Mansion and was about to enjoy a drink with Richard when the housekeeper announced Matthew’s arrival. Percival was puzzled because Matthew

something have happened

he

time, the housekeeper brought Matthew

wrong with

his throat awkwardly before breaking the news, “I’ve been

shifted suddenly and there was a palpable tension emanating from

“Why on earth would they

on Percival, “You little rascal, did

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

His presence was icy, “Explain

sigh, Matthew began to relay the situation at

the Ellingtons. They want Calista to marry you instead, so they asked us to cancel your engagement with Vivienne. Vivienne is a dutiful grandchild,

kept a wary eye on Percival for fearing

constantly causing trouble for Vivienne? And what’s Calista’s worth? She thinks she can claim my chosen heir with her homely face?

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

my dead body! As for Calista, who the hell is she? Her piece of junk thinks she can vie with

that, Richard stormed outside, muttering about blowing

the distance, Matthew glanced at Percival, “Should

gave him

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

couldn’t let Vivienne down, after

tell Vivienne that the engagement still counts!”

no

the Brooks family was anxiously