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.

day. Gillian was a crucial player in his mission and

rested in Percival’s embrace, observing the scheming look

are

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

Thomas slammed on the brakes so hard

just dashed across

his lady now discussing such

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

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

cheeks turned crimson. She had only been

would take her

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

…

At the Perez Mansion.

Perez was having dinner when she overheard the servants discussing Juliet’s

she’s busy and might not visit the Perez

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

granddaughter was getting all the

Jasper to check in, and all he talked

It was maddening!

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

…

Percival was awakened by a frantic call from

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

sobs were so intense one might think it was

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

she had cleared his room in

did not mind sharing the sprawling king-sized bed

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

full name, Mara

he had always called her Mara. His sternness, especially over Vivienne,

Mara seethe

it’s Uncle Hayden. Your grandma’s situation is definitely because of