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?

knew that, if Vivienne was here to speak up, it meant that she wasn’t threatened by the bug anymore. So he ventured, “Vivienne, why did you

eyes were icy as she replied, “The murkier the waters,

Vivienne’s plans, but there were still many things he

missing babies? Any leads?” Vivienne changed

taken to the Rivenwood,” Matthew said gravely. “Rivenwood must be housing a GTO lab. I suspect

GTO lab in Rivenwood was within her expectations. Mr. B wouldn’t have stayed there for years without setting up a lab.

thing to find that lab and save those

has he been up

looked embarrassed, “He’s been living it up

was surrounded by a bevy of beauties and a

nose, exasperated, “Tell him to get his act together and

at the

myriad of questions to ask Vivienne but he didn’t dare to ask right

“Get lost!”

“Got it.”

bumped into Jerry and his posse of

smacked his forehead.

steely gaze. “How’s Vivienne?” he

“She’s… well, eating and

exclaimed, “It’s done! Vivienne’s non-reaction means she’s on the

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

on a mission not long ago, and who would have guessed that in such a short time, the Brooks clan would dare

even had the gall to demand she call off

What were they thinking?

enough to believe that Vivienne and Percival’s bond could be broken that

against Vivienne…

over his younger ones. But this time, even he was fuming, “As Vivienne’s disciples, it’s

been fond of Percival and Vivienne as a couple, but in their eyes, Vivienne deserved

family dared to push Vivienne into breaking off her engagement,