The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne savored the last bite of her soft-boiled egg, the yolk creamy and just the right amount of runny, a perfect morning indulgence.

With Juliet’s insights, the picture was becoming clearer—Maddox, Yuri, and Zelda were all of the complex Perez family puzzle pieces.

But who had the power to tamper with a paternity test? Among them, who did want her to be recognized as part of the Perez family?

And then there was Willa.

Draven had messaged last night, his words still fresh in her mind: [The lab in Rivenwood was blown sky-high by someone named Willa.]

That Willa had to be the same one entangled with the Perez family. The waters she was wading into were murky—and it was a tale not to be unraveled in a mere day or two.

“Miss, take your time with your meal. I have things to tend to,” Juliet said, having briefed Vivienne on the Perez family’s intricate dynamics. With that, she busied herself elsewhere, leaving more unsaid than spoken.

Vivienne understood Juliet’s position—all those years within the Perez family had taught her a great deal about discretion.

Percival’s phone buzzed. It was a call from Mara.

“Percival, you and the missus up yet?”

“Yeah, what’s up?” Percival inquired.

Mara chuckled. “How about a swim? My friend just opened a new pool, and we’re all invited!”

Percival switched the phone to speaker, looking to Vivienne for her take.

She nodded, indifferent to the location.

“Send over the address,” Percival said, seeing Vivienne’s approval.

“Will do, see you soon!” Mara’s voice bubbled with excitement as she ended the call.

a chill briefly

plate, now covered in a rich smear of ketchup. “Mr. Wolf, what’s on your

why you’re stealing my egg,” he teased, playfully nudging her nose, the

few bites. “Quality protein for the swim

nodded in agreement. “Indeed, swimming is quite

a knowing smile, their

…

hour later, they pulled up to the poolside, with Mara eagerly awaiting

linking arms with Vivienne affectionately. “I didn’t get a chance to properly introduce

with a polite

all about you! Auntie told me—perfumer Q and Master Eulalia. I’ve been dying to add you on social media, but she wouldn’t let me. She said when we

Vivienne with admiration, though her excitement was lost on the discerning eyes of Vivienne, who could

replied,

headed to the ladies changing room while Percival waited by the

the venue was bustling. In the children’s section, coaches were already guiding the young

Percival lounged in an exclusive area, a spread of fresh fruits and

not isolated; it was separated from the general area by a mere divider, allowing for a lively atmosphere. There was,

ticked by without a sign of Vivienne or Mara, Percival sipped his juice, patiently

cut through the air, followed by a collective gasp from

the imagination. Her hair was neatly pinned, accentuating her graceful neck, and her long legs caught

whispering in awe, “Wow, she looks like a fairy princess, so

however, was still looking at his phone. The person on his chat background was his only

this enchanting newcomer as she

both men and women—such goddesses were

finally glanced

frowned slightly, indifferent. “This

me? I’m Gillian Ashford, Mara’s close friend. You’ve seen me before when you picked up Mara from the design

past encounter,

Ashford, the heiress of the affluent Ashford

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