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.

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

observing the scheming

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 to ensure

Thomas slammed on the brakes so hard he nearly

cat just dashed across the

Percival and his lady now discussing such explosive topics? This

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

maybe Maddox should consider

had only

would take

stir in his heart, and leaned down to

…

At the Perez Mansion.

Perez

has arrived. Master Maddox mentioned she’s busy and might not visit the Perez family. He said not to prepare or disturb

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

foster granddaughter was getting all

Jasper to check in, and all he talked

It was maddening!

I really should visit

…

Percival was awakened by a

the water ceremony yesterday. She’s bedridden

sobs were so intense one might think it was

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

efficient sometimes; she had cleared his room in

the sprawling

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

you

her full name, Mara was

and he had always called her Mara. His sternness,

Mara

room, Hayden took the phone and said, “Percival, it’s 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