The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Nine men, fire in their eyes, stormed the Ellington estate.

Percival was dealing with his grandfather Richard’s tantrum and feeling such a headache.

The old man had returned from a stint at the nursing home only to find out that the engagement had been called off on his behalf. He nearly flipped the roof in his outrage.

First, he laid into Percival without mercy, then he dropped to the floor and began to roll around.

Like now, he was wailing and flailing like a hooligan, crying out, “My dear wife, I can’t go on, so come take me away! This ungrateful grandson of mine has gone behind my back and called off the engagement. He must think my days are too long, beckoning the Grim Reaper to come for me sooner!”

“Oh, my baby granddaughter-in-law, I’m so sorry that I let this heartless scoundrel disappoint you. I can’t face you. I can only apologize with my death!”

“But rest assured, I’ll take this disrespectful grandson with me before I die to avenge you!”

“My dear wife, you gave birth to several boys and girls and I appreciate that. But our genes weren’t strong enough. Our kids are worthless. They’re killing me with their lack of filiality!”

“It’s over, I can’t take it. I’m short of breath. My chest is tight, my head’s spinning, and all I see is darkness. I might be joining you soon.”

“What? You don’t want me to come? No, I can’t live with the shame, not after my grandson has driven away my granddaughter-in-law. Unless, unless that ungrateful boy gets her back for me.”

Percival sighed.

Great!

Looks like his grandpa’s performance was set for an encore.

He glanced at Richard, then instructed the maid, “Fetch a cushion; don’t let him catch a cold.”

Want to play the fool? Play on.

The maid nodded and was about to fetch the cushion when another maid rushed in, “Young Master Percival, there are nine angry men outside and asking for you!”

Percival mused.

Nine?

Leopold was back too?

Richard leapt up and was fiery as a rocket, “Perfect

in amusement

was more important than granddaughter-in-law

sprinting, eager to cover two

eight ones saw Richard and Percival emerge; with that, their faces

voice was ice

him upside the head, fuming, “You call yourselves Vivienne’s disciples? She’s been bullied

these nine were Vivienne’s disciples since his last hospital

and his men were stunned by what

happens, you’d better show

his men were

What’s going on?

Richard grew even more

he declared, “There! This scoundrel! He’s abandoned my granddaughter-in-law. Go settle the score with him.

Percival gasped in surprise.

serious? He spoke

head again, “What are you waiting for? Go settle the score! Or what? Are you afraid

men blinked their

wasn’t right! The story wasn’t supposed to

meant to take action, not get lectured by a

reset! This plot twist was not what they signed up

back to reality. He roared, “Percival! You piece of crap! You played with Vivienne’s feelings and now you dare to dump her, huh? Today, you’ll learn that

She had saved Isolde, helped Richard, sent Mrs. Cecilia perfumes and clothes. She gave you

declared, “I’m done with you!

eyebrow,

Leopold

slightly,

front gate, speaking with nonchalance, “Why bother with all this talk? I’ve already arranged for the Brooks’ fireworks to be brought over. Let’s blow up the Ellington place

plan to adopt Vivienne as my granddaughter. This is her home and it can’t be blown up. If you must, take that scoundrel out and

Percival’s eyes went wide.