The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Eliza had just tucked Wendy in when she bolted out the door.

“Hold on a sec, Percival!” she called out.

Percival was about to slide into his car when he heard his name being called. He turned around and asked, “What?”

Eliza tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Percival, we haven’t had a proper chat in ages. Can we catch up the day after tomorrow, maybe over dinner?”

Percival squinted slightly. “What’s on your mind, Eliza?”

She chuckled awkwardly, “I just wanted to talk to you about your mother, my sister, you know?”

Percival gazed at Eliza, his thoughts concealed by the dim light around them.

After a moment, he said with a deep voice, “Day after tomorrow it is.”

Eliza then pulled out something from her pocket, handed it to Percival without explanation, and headed back to the Boyd residence.

In the car, Vivienne sniffed the object curiously.

It was an antidote for some love potion!

“Why did she give you this?” Vivienne was puzzled.

Could it be that Eliza, a member of the Boyd family, did not want Gillian to marry into Percival?

Percival chuckled. “She probably wants to curry favor.”

Vivienne nodded in understanding. “So, are you going to accept this favor or not?”

“Absolutely,” Percival said, wrapping his arm around Vivienne and rubbing her shoulder, “It wouldn’t be fun otherwise. Can’t be completely uninvolved with the Boyds during this time.”

Percival had come to Sea City on a mission, and getting close to the Boyds was just a cover.

He needed to entangle himself with them when necessary to mask his true purpose better.

Now that his enemies were hidden and he was exposed, he had to tread carefully.

to dine with Gillian the next day. Gillian was a crucial player

Percival’s embrace, observing

are

to reality, pinched Vivienne’s face playfully, and said deliberately, “I’m thinking about how to

brakes so hard he nearly flew

just dashed

his lady now discussing such explosive topics? This isn’t a mission — it’s a

swap. I’d rather guard Griffin’s bomb factory and get blown to bits

the privacy screen in the car, thinking maybe Maddox should consider a new driver for Vivienne and

turned crimson. She had only been teasing Mara, after

knew he would take

face on his lap, felt a stir in his heart, and leaned

…

At the Perez Mansion.

arrived in Sea City?” Diana Perez was having dinner when she overheard the

arrived. Master Maddox mentioned she’s busy and might

fork tightly. Despite her years with the Perez family, she had never received such attention

was

called Jasper to check in, and

It was maddening!

smiling. “Vivienne’s here, and I really should visit her. Please ask Maddox where she’s staying when

…

awakened

is acting up after the water ceremony

sobs were so intense one might think it

missing the warmth of Vivienne next to him, which only

efficient sometimes; she had cleared his room in just

the sprawling king-sized bed

Percival remained silent, Mara grew even more frantic, “Percival, are you listening? I’m beside myself here. The

someone you should talk about like

use her full

and he had always called her Mara. His sternness, especially over Vivienne, stunned

made Mara

Uncle Hayden. Your grandma’s situation is definitely because of Vivienne. We all know she’s the matriarch, but come on, Grandma’s an elder. You