The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

When Percival arrived, he took one look at the ballroom’s opulent decor—streamers of gold and silver, crystal chandeliers casting a warm glow over the sparkling crowd—and his face gradually darkened.

He stepped into the fray, and a crowd of well-dressed socialites immediately swarmed him.

“Mr. Ellington, what a surprise to see you gracing Sea City with your presence! Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? I would’ve loved to treat you to dinner.”

“Mr. Ellington, you really should’ve given me a heads-up about your visit. After the success of our last collaboration, I would have rolled out the red carpet for you!”

“And if anyone’s going to roll out the red carpet, it should be me first. Mr. Ellington, Are you free tomorrow night?”

The crowd pressing around him represented the crème de la crème of Sea City’s various industries, all of whom had previous dealings with the Ellington Group.

Percival handled the greetings with a practiced grace until Hayden made his way through the crowd.

“Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen, I must borrow Percival for a moment. After the festivities, we’ll find time to gather. My treat, agreed?”

Everyone understood that Percival was the man of the hour that evening, and naturally, no one objected.

After all, with Percival there, who would dare to interfere?

Hayden led Percival away to a private lounge in the back.

Wendy sat in a wheelchair, having missed her window for optimal treatment, resigned to a life bound to her chair.

“Percival, I assume you know what tonight is all about. If you play your cards right and get engaged to Gillian, we can all live peacefully. But if you refuse, well, don’t say I did not warn you.”

Percival chuckled at Wendy’s threat. “And what are you going to do?”

Wendy smirked and waved her hand dismissively. Theodore produced a tablet; on it were scandalous photos of Cecilia and Vivienne.

Percival’s eyes narrowed, a chill radiating from him. “Threatening me?”

Was it that his hands had been too clean for too long? Did the Boyd family really think they could use doctored photos to threaten him?

that it’s Cecilia. As for Vivienne, it’s enough that her face is recognizable. Even if you clear things up later, the damage will have been done. Are you

at her,

cufflink with an air of indifference, his expression

you thought it through?” Wendy pressed, seeing his

in his pockets, his tailored suit accentuating his lean figure. He spoke slowly,

a hint of a slow drawl, “I hope

he left

an inexplicable panic

think much of it, simply impressed by

exhaled in relief. “Mom, that

twenty-year-old girl was something he could never

the Ashford family will be locked into a partnership with us. And Vivienne

never forgive Vivienne for making her

“Gillian knew Percival was engaged and still chased after him. Wouldn’t it be easier to

Wendy snapped, throwing a

the sidelines, Nancy could not help

Gillian had touched up her

can’t have

After tonight, we’ll be family, and I could not

“Me too.”

the ballroom, Vivienne listened to the excited voices through her earpiece, her lips curling into

she, too, was thrilled

a simple gown, she handed her invitation to the attendant at

recognizing Vivienne but seeing the

Vivienne went it, Margot finally returned from having her fill of fun and replaced the attendant, knowing that she would be reprimanded if her

seat in the ballroom and looked at the screen displaying

the time came, the engagement party officially

stage, delivering a string of pious blessings and thanks, then announced the arrival of

sabotage from Percival, they had cunningly separated him from Gillian,

door, and melodious background music began to

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