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.

agreed to dine with Gillian the next day. Gillian was a crucial player in his mission and

embrace, observing the scheming look in his

are you

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

so hard he nearly flew out

cat just dashed across

now discussing such explosive topics? This isn’t a mission

I demand a task swap. I’d rather guard Griffin’s bomb factory and get

maybe Maddox should consider a new driver for

turned crimson. She had only

would

a stir in his heart, and

…

At the Perez Mansion.

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

mentioned she’s busy and might not visit the Perez family. He said not to prepare or

her years with the Perez family, she had never received such attention

mere foster granddaughter was getting all the

Jasper to check in, and all he talked about was his foster

It was maddening!

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

…

Percival was awakened by a frantic call

up after the water ceremony yesterday. She’s bedridden and can’t get up. What should

sobs were so intense one might think it

the warmth of Vivienne next to him,

had cleared his room

the sprawling

remained silent, Mara grew even more frantic, “Percival, are you listening? I’m beside myself here. The doctor said Grandma might be bedridden forever, all

Vivienne isn’t someone you

her full name, Mara was taken

close, and he had always called her Mara. His sternness,

thought made Mara seethe

the phone and said, “Percival, it’s Uncle Hayden. Your grandma’s situation is definitely because of Vivienne. We all know she’s the