The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Gillian’s words hung unfinished as Percival suddenly stood up and gestured towards someone in the distance. “Vivienne, over here!”

Gillian blinked in surprise. Vivienne?

What on earth was Vivienne doing here?

Should she not be back at the Boyd estate, caring for Wendy, who was bedridden?

Gillian turned to see Vivienne stride in, decked out in a leather biker jacket, her hair cascading down her back, helmet in hand.

The very epitome of cool and spicy!

Vivienne walked over, placed her helmet on the table, and pecked Percival on the lips in front of Gillian without a second thought.

“Sorry, I’m late.”

“Not at all. You’re just in time.” Percival took her hand and pulled her close, seating her at the table and sliding a freshly cut steak in front of her. “Just cut it for you, eat up.”

“Thanks, Mr. Wolf.” Vivienne grinned and dug into the steak with gusto.

Percival ruffled her hair affectionately, then turned to Gillian. “So, what were you saying?”

Gillian clenched the tablecloth beneath the table, her knuckles turning white with tension, the veins in her hands standing out starkly. Yet, for the sake of her image, she maintained a strained smile.

“I was suggesting maybe the wedding bash should be in Sea City before heading back to Rivenwood for the ceremony.”

Gillian did not believe for a second that Vivienne could be oblivious to the implications of her words. After all, she was the one the Boyd family had accepted as their future granddaughter-in-law!

Percival smirked. “Vivienne and I only want a ceremony in Rivenwood. Sea City? We don’t really have relatives there.”

Gillian nearly bit through her lip. “Mr. Ellington, you must be misunderstanding something. Our parents have arranged this meeting of ours, and that’s why we’re here.”

Percival’s smile turned cold. “The reason we’re here isn’t some family setup. I wanted to make it clear: Vivienne is my fiancée. I did not introduce her properly last time, but you get the picture this time, right?”

Tears rimmed Gillian’s eyes. She could not believe Percival could be so heartless.

What was so special about Vivienne?

for their kind of aristocracy, a country bumpkin who thought a bit of skill could turn

nothing

had Percival under

was the Ashford heiress, a top-notch family in Sea City. Even the well-rooted Boyds

a country

Gillian was

Was Percival blind?

with a napkin and noticed Gillian’s untouched steak.

Gillian’s eye as she glared at Vivienne, fantasizing about

her indifference, Vivienne

helmet and wrapping an arm around her slender waist,

her back to Gillian, Vivienne called over her shoulder, “Ms. Ashford, you might want to head home early. Be careful, wouldn’t want

tightened, her nails nearly drawing

not over. Vivienne

she yanked the tablecloth,

igniting as the flame

“Ah! Help!”

instantly, but quick-thinking waitstaff doused the flames with an extinguisher, sparing her

the dress was ruined, revealing far more than intended, including

such an innocent-looking girl would wear such

barely covering herself until a waiter kindly offered his

without a

Gillian locked herself in

had never been so

Ashford, concerned by her cries,

chest. “Dad, Vivienne’s gone too far. Please, make her go away

the

it be that

still crying, implored, “Dad, are you even listening to me? I’ve

present. “Gillian, this Vivienne… Who

Doe, Mara said it herself. No parents to speak of, and she still dares to vie for my man. Dad, I want you to put her in her place. I’m the one who’s

was in full

the household,

taking any job to pay the