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

her eyes were panda-like from the

neatly pinned-up hair was now

saw Gillian’s state,

no fairy princess; that’s

wave of laughter that

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

three hours getting ready, hoping to present her most perfect

regained her footing, she saw

in the pool followed his

Heavens!

was a goddess if there ever was

was that other

donning the most ordinary and common swimsuit, with her hair simply

moment, everyone seemed to forget

why Percival had

Vivienne by his side, how could he notice

who mocked Gillian exclaimed, “Now that’s a fairy princess! She’s so beautiful! Can I marry you

turned to the boy with a warning look. “Dream

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

is my bride!” Percival declared

“Mr. Wolf, he’s just a little boy

arm around Vivienne’s shoulders

is my Vivienne, off-limits to

wanted to say, “ How do you handle

“If this happens again, I will no longer acknowledge

Percival

come swimming was his

perverts around

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

her resentment

why else would he disown his

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