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

streaks marred her face, and her eyes

was now a damp mess over

saw Gillian’s state, and

no fairy princess; that’s

a wave of laughter

had never been so embarrassed. She coughed, stood up, and wanted to ask Percival why

ready, hoping to present her most perfect self

footing, she saw Percival

the

Heavens!

goddess if there

was that other woman by

most ordinary and common swimsuit, with her hair simply tied

a moment, everyone seemed to

finally understood why

like Vivienne by his side, how

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

the boy with a

started to whimper, “Mommy, the mean

bride!” Percival

he’s just a little

wrapped his arm around Vivienne’s shoulders and draped his

off-limits to

How do you handle a jealous

again, I will no

word, Percival

to come swimming was his

many perverts

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

bit her lip, her resentment towards Vivienne growing

have bewitched her brother; why else would

side and make sure you don’t ruin the Boyd family’s plans or my brother’s