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.

next day. Gillian was a crucial player in his mission and had to be

rested in Percival’s embrace, observing the scheming look

are you plotting

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

Thomas slammed on the brakes so hard he nearly flew out of

a cat just

such explosive topics? This

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

in the car, thinking maybe

She had only been

knew he would take

lap, felt a stir in his heart, and leaned down to kiss the

…

At the Perez Mansion.

Diana Perez was having dinner when she overheard the

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

the Perez

was getting all the

called Jasper to check in, and all he

It was maddening!

her fork before regaining her composure and smiling. “Vivienne’s here, and I really should visit her. Please ask

…

Percival was awakened by a frantic

terrible, Percival! Grandma’s back is acting up after the water ceremony yesterday. She’s bedridden and can’t get

intense one might think it was a life-or-death

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

sometimes; she had cleared his

sharing the sprawling

listening? I’m beside myself here. The doctor said Grandma might be bedridden forever, all because

someone you should talk about

use her full name,

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

Mara seethe with

said, “Percival, it’s Uncle Hayden. Your grandma’s situation is definitely because of