The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Leopold, the leader of the first squad, knew the unwritten leadership rules all too well. So, it stood to reason that Percival, the head honcho of the entire task force, would be even more clued in.

But now, even Leopold’s moves were being curtailed, never mind the liberty of the whole special squad.

Percival set aside the application form he had been holding, tapping his polished fingertip on the signature line. “Why don’t you take this up with the boss yourself?”

The rage on Leopold’s face fizzled out in an instant.

Would he dare?

For someone even Percival called “boss,” he was just a small fry; there was no way he would throw himself into the shark’s jaws.

Leopold slumped into his chair, rubbing his temples in frustration.

After a few seconds of silence, he asked, “Boss didn’t even ask you before signing off on this? Why didn’t you go to him first?”

Percival took a sip of his sweet fruit juice and said, “He said since Fiona’s my flesh and blood, having me sign could give someone leverage over me. If anything went sideways, there would be no one to cover for me, so he just went ahead without telling me.”

Leopold’s jaw worked silently, failing to snap shut.

Every word Micah said was for Percival’s sake. How could anyone argue with that?

Unable to sit still any longer, Leopold cursed under his breath, stood up, and stormed out. He slammed the door behind him, not caring if he would end up getting a beating.

This was just too damn suffocating.

Percival neatly filed the application form away and glanced up at Vivienne, his eyes usually icy, now melting with a certain warmth. “Vivienne, shall we go have a look?”

Vivienne rose, taking the fruit juice from Percival’s hand, and sipped the rest through the straw. “Yeah, let’s check it out.”

…

the Ellington family’s

room, and from her cries, one could

her suffering? It’s all Vivienne’s fault. If not for her, my girl wouldn’t be like this. Dad, even if you’re mad at your son, you can’t just stand by

wet with tears, laid the blame thickly on Vivienne, pouring out her grievances

just an Ellington by marriage; you can ignore me, but my children are Ellingtons by blood. If you don’t step up, we three might as well die now and stop bothering

never approved of Heloise marrying Henry, knowing she was not the type to settle down. But she

to keep such a woman out if

tugged at Heloise’s sleeve on the hospital bed, her complexion ashen. “Mom, please leave us.

allowing Fiona to make her own appeal — it was always more effective than her own

Fiona

for yourself like before, I’ll disown you,”

opened them again, they were rimmed red with distress. She turned to Richard. “Grandpa, this mess is my fault. It

had taken even more

Percival had his own

financial fraud; it was bound to be part of a bigger

way of doing things, and

out, live your life well. I won’t let you down. My promises are still good,

too ashamed to stay with the Ellington family. Once I’m better, let Mom, Jeffrey,

the heart to outright refuse. He could not forgive his second son, but his granddaughter

his first granddaughter, and before Isolde was born, he cherished her

her, the only

self-reliant, never troubling the family, and

Percival, she focused on improving

not for her crime, Richard would have welcomed

What a pity…

always been by my side, never left Rivenwood; nowhere else is suitable for your recovery. Stay here. In a little while, your uncle will return, and you’ll have to meet him. He’s always been fond

lift, and a genuine smile

Richard’s youngest son, was the cool uncle of the

older than his nieces and nephews, Flynn had been the ringleader of their childhood