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

in Percival’s embrace, observing the scheming look in his

what are you

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

so hard he

Percival, a cat just dashed

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

rather guard Griffin’s bomb factory and get blown to bits if I have

discreetly lowered the privacy screen in the car, thinking maybe Maddox should consider a new driver for

cheeks turned crimson. She had

he would take

his lap, felt a stir in his

…

At the Perez Mansion.

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

has arrived. Master Maddox mentioned she’s busy and might not visit the Perez family. He

her years with the Perez family, she had

foster granddaughter was getting all the

yesterday, she had called Jasper to check in, and all he talked

It was maddening!

regaining her composure and smiling. “Vivienne’s here, and I really should

…

next morning, Percival was awakened

after the water ceremony

were so intense one might

out of bed, missing the warmth of Vivienne next to him, which only added to his

had cleared his

mind sharing the sprawling king-sized bed with

Percival 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 because of that

isn’t someone you

Percival use her full name,

always been close, and he had always called

Mara seethe with

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