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.

Gillian out of the pool, her makeup smeared from the struggle in

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

neatly pinned-up hair was now a damp mess

curious kid came over, saw Gillian’s state, and burst into

princess;

of laughter that rippled through the

She coughed, stood up, and wanted to ask Percival why

three hours getting ready, hoping to present her most

regained her footing, she saw Percival walking towards Vivienne in the

others in the pool followed

Heavens!

a goddess if there

that other

ordinary and common swimsuit, with her hair simply tied back, exuded

everyone seemed to forget to

finally understood why Percival had ignored

side, how could

Can I marry you when I grow

to the boy with a warning look.

whimper, “Mommy, the mean man

is my bride!”

just a

as he wrapped his arm around Vivienne’s shoulders and draped his

Vivienne, off-limits

you handle a jealous husband? Need advice,

Mara coldly, “If this happens again, I

word, Percival left with

to come swimming was

perverts

from Percival. Panicked, she explained, but

her

why else would he disown

away from my brother’s side and make sure you don’t ruin the Boyd