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

looked at her,

moment, he straightened his cufflink with an air of indifference, his

thought it through?” Wendy pressed,

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

added with a hint of a slow drawl, “I

that, he left

Percival’s retreating figure, an

of it, simply impressed by Wendy’s power to make

“Mom,

his daughter and a twenty-year-old girl was something

matter? Once Percival and Gillian are engaged, the Ashford family will be locked into a partnership with us. And Vivienne will be too ashamed to stay once she sees her fiancé engaged to another. Without Percival, what is she worth? She’ll be

would never forgive Vivienne for making her

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

throwing

Nancy could not help but revel

had touched up her makeup and clasped

agree to get engaged tonight, right? I can’t have any

her, “Don’t worry, Grandma has everything under control. After tonight, we’ll be family, and I

“Me too.”

Vivienne listened to the excited voices

she, too, was thrilled

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

Vivienne but seeing the invitation, the attendant let

from having her fill of fun and replaced the attendant, knowing

a seat in the ballroom and looked at the screen displaying photos of Percival and Gillian, her lips twitching into

time came, the engagement party

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

prevent any sabotage from Percival, they had cunningly separated him from Gillian, placing them on opposite sides of the stage to

and melodious background music began to play. The doors opened

way to the stage.Books