The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne did not reply immediately. Instead, she simply gazed at Astrid, waiting for her to continue.

Feeling a bit anxious, Astrid elaborated, “Don’t get me wrong, Vivienne. I’m not saying that Percival isn’t treating you well. I’m just thinking, with the Ellington family being such a prestigious and influential family, it’s a complex world out there. If you had enough confidence and strength, you wouldn’t need to put up with any discomfort there.”

Vivienne nodded slightly, “You make a good point.”

Astrid let out a sigh of relief. “I’m glad you understand what I’m getting at. I hope I haven’t overstepped.”

“Not at all,” Vivienne replied, taking a sip of her drink, “I can contribute some innovative fragrance formulas at the company, which could quickly build a reputation for us.”

Astrid felt an awkward sense of being seen through and could only force a chuckle, taking a sip of her water to cover her nerves. “You’re right. It’s a win-win situation, isn’t it?”

Vivienne raised an eyebrow, a subtle gleam in her eyes.

After dinner, it was getting late. Alfred pulled the car up to the mall to pick up Astrid.

“Vivienne, let me drive you two back,” Alfred called out, rolling down his window.

“No need, we drove here,” Vivienne declined coolly.

“Alright then. Take care,” Alfred waved and drove off with Astrid.

Watching their car disappear into the distance, Vivienne’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

Percival draped his jacket over Vivienne’s shoulders, his fingertips lightly touching her cheek, “Getting impatient?”

She nodded. “More than I expected. It’s quite dull.”

He wrapped an arm around her waist and ushered her into the car, saying, “Then let’s take our time. As long as you’re happy.”

Vivienne’s face. “Sounds

to the side

agree?” He

coming up with a few perfume formulas will be

her on our side is the best

her eyes curving

as Astrid had anticipated, taking an

company is just getting off the ground. It’s going to be hard work. Why not wait until things are more stable before you join? It would be easier

can’t help stabilize the company?”

reassured her, “No, no, I didn’t mean that. I just don’t want you to overwork yourself. You’re young. You should be enjoying

I need to.

the company, she also moved back into

how she liked it, so she could finally get a good

Astrid had said, Dorian and Cordelia were indeed busy with company matters from dawn till

discussing and verifying various reports,

would go hungry, waiting

arrival lightened their load

to sustain the company, Dorian still wanted to develop more varieties to ensure

new formula smells like a fresh rainfall, rich and enduring. I like it,” Cordelia announced, marking one of the formulas with a

fitting. It has a natural, earthy scent.”

differed, and while they could launch both, the startup costs for two new perfumes were substantial for

the deadlock, Astrid stepped in, examining both formulas. The numbers of the formulas were very detailed, and the ingredients used were accurate. She carefully read both formulas, the gleam in

think these two are both great. Why not

and his Lego, Vivienne heard Astrid mention her and said,

picked one of the crumpled papers

this one. I’ll immediately discuss the launch strategy with

Dorian also had to discuss production schedules with the factory. “Astrid, Vivienne, we’re off to the

spoke, Dorian left some cash on the

her head at their parents’ workaholic