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.”

motivations were 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

Fiona had no choice but

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

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

go, Vivienne,” Richard said, leading her into the ballroom to

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

warned, “Don’t you dare mess up my jewelry debut, or you’ll

birthday gala was supposed to be an excellent opportunity that could

was confident

time, her focus was not on taking Percival down. Instead, she aimed to cement her position in her grandfather’s heart and lower

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

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

had focused on battling Paul, which

he had lost his

art exhibition debacle,

within the Ellington family

lost cause? It

against Paul, to reap the benefits of their

not act soon, the Ellington family

Percival down. At the very least, he had to ensure Percival and Vivienne did not have

a chilling glance, her eyes momentarily flaring with malice before she turned away. “This is

her in disdain. “Pretentious much? The Ellington family won’t ever be

Fiona was

the master of ceremonies delivered

stage with only Vivienne by his side, signaling

Vivienne’s standing in Rivenwood’s high

least now, the influential families knew she

weigh their stature against the might