The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Aaron had barely taken a few steps when he caught sight of Vivienne on Percival’s arm, accompanied by her family and Richard, heading in the opposite direction.

Frustration bubbled within him. “Weren’t we supposed to split them up from the get-go? What now?”

Equally taken aback by his grandfather’s intervention, Kenneth sighed. “The first step of the plan is a bust. What else?”

The two young men exchanged a look of mutual disdain before parting ways.

From a distance, Vivienne was surprised to see Aaron and Kenneth together.

“Are those two playing nice again?” She asked.

Percival found Aaron’s presence irritating, but he could not show it too openly, given that Aaron was a friend of Vivienne’s. Thus, he said calmly, “Who knows? Let them be.”

Vivienne did not press any further.

Richard followed the rehearsed plan to the letter, entering with Vivienne at his side, ensuring she was the center of attention.

Vivienne, albeit reluctantly, complied. After all, the birthday boy calls the shots.

While they waited, Fiona approached them.

“Grandpa, Vivienne,” she said, holding a box that contained her latest jewelry design. “Grandpa, after your speech, I hope Vivienne can wear this set to showcase it. What do you think?”

Richard’s displeasure was evident, though he remained silent.

He intended for Vivienne to be seen purely as part of his entourage, to underscore his status, not as a billboard for the company.

Fiona hastily added, “I just think the jewels would look stunning on Vivienne. That’s all.”

good, Richard could not bring himself to reprimand her. “Vivienne will simply accompany me for the entrance. You can wear the set yourself—it’ll be more convenient. I’ll give you a moment

had no choice but to

had hoped to leverage Vivienne’s identity as Master Charles, combining it with her jewelry concept to create a buzz for

piece in Fiona’s hands. It was eye-catching at first, but she

go, Vivienne,” Richard said, leading her into

gaze on Fiona. “How did that go? Got shot down, huh? Looks like it’s

you dare mess up

excellent opportunity that could have been used to

Percival was onto something. She was confident that any move she

Instead, she aimed to cement her position in her grandfather’s heart and lower

your days fiddling with those trinkets; it’s messed with your brain. If you keep at this pace, Percival will take over the

deemed a ‘lost cause,’ Jeffrey had not taken him seriously. What

Paul, which had left

released, he had lost his standing

exhibition debacle, had to

recent events within the Ellington

cause? It had all been an

him against Paul, to reap the

about to let that happen. If he did not act soon, the Ellington family would

Percival down. At the very

flaring with malice before she turned away. “This is your last warning.

after her in disdain. “Pretentious much?

was out of

room, the master of ceremonies

side, signaling the importance he placed

speech, Vivienne’s standing

now, the influential families knew she was Percival’s fiancée, Richard’s

to weigh their stature against the might of