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.

pool, her makeup

face, and her eyes were

once neatly pinned-up hair was now a

Gillian’s state, and burst

princess; that’s

off a wave of laughter that

so embarrassed. She coughed, stood up, and wanted to ask Percival why he had pushed her, causing her to slip

hours getting ready, hoping to present her

she saw Percival walking towards

in the pool

Heavens!

that was a goddess if

that other woman

and common swimsuit, with her

seemed to forget to

finally understood why Percival

someone like Vivienne by his side, how could he notice anyone

“Now that’s a fairy princess! She’s so beautiful! Can I marry you when

and turned to the boy with a warning

aback, started to whimper, “Mommy, the mean man took my bride

my bride!”

just

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

off-limits

wanted to say, “ How do you handle a jealous

“If this happens again, I will

another word, Percival left

to come swimming

many perverts

never heard such harsh words from Percival. Panicked, she explained, but

lip, her

bewitched her brother; why else would he disown his

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