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?

daughter better than anyone. I’m aware of every mole on her body, so what if the photos are fake? I have plenty of ways to prove 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

at her,

straightened his cufflink with an

it through?” Wendy pressed, seeing

tailored suit accentuating his lean figure. He spoke slowly,

then added with a hint of a slow

he

Percival’s retreating figure, an

much of it, simply impressed

“Mom, that

girl was something he could

Vivienne will be too

Vivienne for making

muttered under her breath, “Gillian knew Percival was engaged and still chased after him. Wouldn’t it be easier

snapped, throwing a furious hand in Teresa’s

Nancy could not help

up her makeup and clasped Mara’s hand

right? I can’t have any more complications. This is what I’ve been

under control. After tonight, we’ll be family, and I

“Me too.”

Vivienne listened to the excited voices through her earpiece, her

was

simple gown, she handed her invitation to

the invitation, the attendant

replaced the attendant, knowing that she would be reprimanded if her family

the screen displaying photos of Percival and Gillian, her lips twitching into

came, the engagement

pushed Wendy onto the stage, delivering a string of pious blessings and thanks,

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

spotlight shone on the front door, and melodious background music began to

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