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.”

for the company’s 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

refusal, Fiona had no choice but

Charles, combining it with her jewelry

at the finished jewelry piece in Fiona’s hands. It was eye-catching at first, but she knew it lacked staying power and could quickly become an

leading her into the

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

gaze turned icy as she warned, “Don’t you dare mess up

excellent opportunity that could have been used to take Percival

after the art exhibition, Fiona sensed Percival was onto something. She was confident that any move she made during

time, her focus was not on taking Percival down. Instead, she aimed to cement her position in her

spend your days fiddling with those trinkets; it’s messed with your brain. If

not taken him seriously. What could

had focused on battling Paul, which had left both

he had lost his standing in their

the art exhibition debacle, had to bite his

recent events within the Ellington family had

a lost cause? It had all been an

pit him against Paul, to reap the

not act soon, the Ellington family would be Percival’s for

he could not miss. He had to drag Percival down. At the very least, he

shot him a chilling glance, her eyes momentarily flaring with malice before she turned away. “This is your last warning. If you ruin my plans, you’ll get

Jeffrey to spit after her in disdain. “Pretentious much? The Ellington family

Fiona was

of ceremonies delivered the opening remarks, inviting Richard

took the stage with only Vivienne by his side, signaling the importance he placed

speech, Vivienne’s standing in Rivenwood’s high

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

thinking of crossing Vivienne would now have to weigh their stature against the