The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Patrick managed to soothe Gillian and retreated to his study to call the Boyd family.

Wendy had just come out of surgery and was still unconscious. The one who answered the call was Eliza.

“Hey, Patrick, what’s up?” Eliza greeted warmly.

But Patrick’s tone was icy cold. “Ms. Boyd, my daughter came home in tears today. Do you even have to ask what’s wrong?”

Eliza was taken aback. The Boyds were all at the hospital, swamped with managing the online PR crisis, with no time to worry about Gillian’s date with Percival or even Vivienne’s whereabouts.

Realizing the gravity of the situation from Patrick’s tone, she knew something major had happened.

“Listen, Patrick, I’m so sorry. That girl Vivienne caused some trouble with my mother today, and now we’re all at the hospital. What happened exactly? We can’t even get hold of Percival. Did that bitch Vivienne mess with Gillian again?”

Eliza’s casual use of harsh words was meant to defuse Patrick’s anger, pinning all the blame on Vivienne.

“What exactly is the deal with this Vivienne?” Patrick asked.

He had heard Gillian’s explanation but wanted to confirm the details for himself.

Eliza chuckled, “She’s just a country bumpkin who doesn’t know any better, eyeing Percival for his money. If she wasn’t somewhat pretty, Percival would not give her the time of day. Don’t worry. She’s not even close to being a match for our Gillian.”

Hearing Eliza speak so confidently reassured Patrick. It seemed there was a case of mistaken identity.

If it was that Vivienne, she certainly would not be after Percival for his money. After all, the inheritance left by Patrick’s boss was more than Percival could earn in lifetimes.

“Hmph, you can’t handle a country girl, and you expect me to trust you with my daughter?” Patrick complained.

Eliza quickly tried to smooth things over, “Come on, Patrick, we’re practically family. Don’t you trust us? Look, as soon as Mom is out of the hospital, we’re throwing an engagement party for Percival and Gillian. We’ll invite all the big shots from Sea City. How does that sound?”

Patrick narrowed his eyes, “Are you sure Percival will play ball and agree to the engagement?”

have our ways. Don’t worry

Eliza’s assurance, Patrick did not press further. Ultimately, all that mattered was sealing the engagement between the Boyd and the Ashford

this up, you’ll have me to

Patrick hung

sighed heavily after the

expressed her concern, “Auntie, you promised Patrick just like that? But Grandma is still unconscious, and where

online PR, and

this would be happening,” Eliza cursed inwardly, blaming her sister for the family’s troubles. To Mara, she

firmly, “Of course, Auntie. Whatever you need,

…

days later, Percival received a

Don’t you want to come see

shopping with Vivienne and responded coolly,

can’t attend, and our partners insist on meeting you. Can you represent us? Some attendees have ties to the Ellington Group,

the jeweler’s flagship necklace to the clerk to wrap

Bring it, and leave Vivienne at

the necklace, then went to find

Percival finish his call, she pointed to a sauerkraut

“Sure, eat up. We’ll have

raised an eyebrow. “Okay, let’s

meal now meant they could enjoy

family held the banquet at Sea City’s largest

any event was held here was the twin

stood at the entrance,

slightly resentful. “Why do we

than Margot, did not get along with her cousin; sometimes, they could not even

told to. Why all the fuss?” Mara gave her a

wait till he learns what’s really going down tonight. Let’s see if you can still call him ‘brother’ then.”Books Chapters Are Daily Updated