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 had to be handled

embrace, observing the scheming look in

Wolf, what are you plotting

back to reality, pinched Vivienne’s face playfully, and said deliberately, “I’m thinking about how to properly attend to the matriarch tonight

slammed on the brakes so hard he nearly flew

cat just dashed

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

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

the car, thinking maybe Maddox should consider a new

turned crimson. She had only been teasing Mara,

knew he would take her

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

…

At the Perez Mansion.

mean that Vivienne has arrived in Sea City?” Diana Perez was having

might not visit the Perez family. He

the Perez family, she had never received

foster granddaughter was getting all

to check in, and

It was maddening!

here, and I really should visit her. Please ask Maddox where she’s

…

Percival was awakened by a frantic call from

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

intense one might think

missing the warmth of Vivienne next to him, which

too efficient sometimes; she had cleared his room in just one

the

are you listening? I’m beside myself here.

isn’t someone you should

Percival use her full name, Mara was

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

Mara

of Vivienne. We all know she’s the matriarch, but come on, Grandma’s an elder.