The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

In the quaint suburban enclave where the Brooks family resided, there was a buzz of anticipation hanging in the air for news from the Ellingtons. Yet in this whirl of excitement, nobody paid the slightest attention to the bombshell Vivienne had dropped: a staggering offer of hundred billion to call off her engagement.

And no one seemed to question how Vivienne, a girl raised in the quaintness of an old monastery, had access to such an exorbitant sum.

When Matthew returned with the news that Percival had agreed to the dissolution of the engagement, the Brooks household was astounded. It was beyond them why Percival, who had always treated Vivienne like a precious gem, would so readily let her go.

The Brooks were all dumbfounded!

Kala, regaining her composure first, spat out in anger, “Ugh! What a jerk!” She had thought so highly of Percival, charmed by his doting ways with Vivienne. She had almost believed in true love because of him. But now, an engagement broken so easily? She wished all playboys would just go to hell!

Calista, too, was baffled. Although she had hoped for Percival to be free, she never imagined it would happen so smoothly. Did this mean she could now step into Vivienne’s shoes and be with Percival herself? Oh, the very thought made her head spin with delight!

Scott paused briefly upon hearing the news; a glint of calculation passed through his eyes.

Judith, however, was all smiles, “Well, that settles it! Percival is just as sensible as Vivienne. He’s such a good lad!”

Vivienne gave her a dry look and said flatly, “Congratulations. You got what you wanted.” Without another word, she turned and ascended the staircase.

Matthew hurried after her.

Once inside her room with the door firmly shut, Matthew opened his mouth to speak, but Vivienne held up a hand to stop him.

She pulled out her phone and scanned the room, a red dot flashing on the screen. A cold smirk played on her lips as she swiftly tapped away.

After a couple of minutes, she stowed her phone away.

Matthew, her loyal companion, instantly understood the situation, “They bugged your room?” he asked with a voice tinged with disgust.

“Hmm,” was all Vivienne offered; her face was flat.

For Scott to bug her room was expected, nothing surprising there. She left the device untouched so they could still hear what she wanted them to hear. After all, underestimating her was their first mistake. Did they really think a simple bug would outsmart her?

wasn’t threatened by the bug anymore. So he ventured, “Vivienne, why did you agree

icy as she replied, “The murkier the

He was privy to most of Vivienne’s plans, but there

Any leads?” Vivienne changed the

babies should’ve been taken to the Rivenwood,” Matthew said gravely. “Rivenwood must

in Rivenwood was within her expectations. Mr. B wouldn’t have stayed there for years without

find that lab and save those

he been up to lately?” Vivienne

“He’s been living

by a bevy of beauties and a sea of wine,

of her nose, exasperated, “Tell him to

jumped at the command,

to ask Vivienne but he didn’t dare to ask right now, “Should I

“Get lost!”

“Got it.”

into Jerry and his posse of nine, who had stormed

his forehead. Now there

a steely gaze. “How’s Vivienne?” he

eating and drinking

done! Vivienne’s non-reaction means

his teeth in fury, “Those damned Brooks! How dare they treat our Vivienne this way? I swear we’ll tear

guessed that in such a short time, the Brooks

gall to demand she call

What were they thinking?

naive enough to believe that Vivienne and Percival’s

an engagement as leverage against Vivienne… these folks were

ones. But this time, even he was fuming, “As Vivienne’s disciples, it’s a shame for us to let somebody bully her like that! We

and Vivienne as a couple, but

breaking off her engagement, that was a whole