The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Gillian bit her lower lip hard. It took a moment before she could regain her composure.

She had heard rumors that Percival was not interested in women, and she figured he might just be a bit of a straightforward guy. That did not bother her.

“Mr. Ellington, since you’re here, let’s take a few laps in the pool. Mara is probably going to take her sweet time getting ready. She’s always dragging her feet when it comes to dressing up,” Gillian said as she stood up and walked over to Percival.

Without even lifting his head, Percival could see the two long, pale legs before him.

Percival stood up, towering over the 5’5″ Gillian, making her look even more petite and endearing.

Gillian took a few deep breaths, looked at Percival’s imposing figure, blushed, and said, “Mr. Ellington, shall we swim together?”

Inside the changing room, Vivienne watched as Mara obsessively scrolled through photos on her phone, all the paintings she wanted to discuss.

Vivienne raised an eyebrow and smirked slightly at Mara.

Checking the time, Vivienne stood up and covered Mara’s phone with her hand. “Let’s head to the pool.”

Feeling it was about time, Mara nodded. “Alright, let’s go.”

“Ha, Vivienne, just wait until you see Gillian swimming with my brother. You’ll be green with envy!” She thought.

As they exited the changing room, they were startled by a loud splash from the VIP pool!

A woman had fallen into the VIP pool, and a shimmering silk shawl fluttered in the air above her.

Mara gasped, recognizing Gillian’s shawl.

What on earth had happened?

Vivienne chuckled softly and whispered into Mara’s ear, “Satisfied?”

With that, she walked towards Percival.

Mara stood rooted to the spot, shivering as she recalled yesterday’s dreadful scene at the Boyd Mansion. Her fear deepened.

This Vivienne… She could really be something else…

Terrifying.

out of the pool, her makeup smeared from the struggle

marred her face, and her eyes were panda-like from the running

pinned-up hair was now a damp mess over her

state, and burst

no fairy princess;

frankness set off a wave of laughter

ask Percival why he had pushed her, causing her to slip and

ready, hoping to present her most perfect

regained her footing, she saw Percival walking towards Vivienne

in the pool

Heavens!

a goddess if there

other woman by

most ordinary and common swimsuit, with her hair

moment, everyone seemed to

finally understood why Percival had ignored

like Vivienne by his side, how could he

mocked Gillian exclaimed, “Now that’s a fairy princess! She’s so beautiful! Can I marry you when I grow up? I promise

Vivienne’s hand and turned to the boy

started to whimper, “Mommy, the mean man

my bride!” Percival declared once

“Mr. Wolf, he’s just a little boy under

his arm around

Vivienne, off-limits

wanted to say, “ How do you handle

“If this happens again, I will no longer acknowledge you as my

word, Percival left

to come swimming

many perverts around

heard such harsh words from Percival. Panicked, she explained, but Percival and Vivienne had already left

her

her brother; why else

you away from my brother’s side and make sure you don’t ruin the Boyd family’s plans or my brother’s happiness!” She yelled