The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

In the dimly lit grand hall, a woman in a strapless white gown slowly rose from her seat. With her head half-bowed, she took deliberate steps toward the stage where a single spotlight shone, leaving the rest of the space shrouded in semi-darkness.

The guests could hardly make out the identity of the woman ascending the stage. Clad in the white gown, they mistook her for Gillian.

The Boyd family and Patrick sighed in relief, thinking Gillian was adding a dramatic flair to her entrance.

Only when the lights softly illuminated her like a thin veil could the crowd finally see her face clearly.

It was Vivienne!

The unexpected twist nearly sent Wendy tumbling out of her wheelchair.

What was happening?

Had they not stationed someone at the door to keep Vivienne out? How did she get in?

On stage, Percival took out a necklace he had purchased just that afternoon and placed it around Vivienne’s neck.

As soon as the necklace settled, Vivienne’s gown transformed like fireworks, shifting its style entirely in the blink of an eye. The pure white turned into a green reminiscent of rainforest.

The emerald dress made Vivienne look even more dignified and radiant, her usual delicate appearance now infused with a hint of resolve. Yet, in the face of Percival, her tenderness remained undiminished.

To the audience’s amazement, the massive screen on stage now displayed a slideshow of Percival and Vivienne’s photos—candid moments captured by Zelda and shared with Vivienne, each displaying their flawless visages.

Holding the microphone with one hand and cradling Vivienne’s face with the other, Percival asked with an uncharacteristically gentle voice, “Vivienne, will you marry me?”

Vivienne returned his gaze with equal intensity, her lips curving into a smile as she answered, “Yes.”

It was undoubtedly a more joyful engagement party than the last one, and they had Wendy to thank for her unintentional sponsorship.

Meanwhile, Wendy was seething on stage, pushing Theodore and Hayden forward. “What are you waiting for? Go find Gillian. Where on earth is she?”

At her command, Patrick refrained from questioning; he was too preoccupied. Because Vivienne bore an uncanny resemblance to his boss.

the makeup room, Gillian and Mara were pounding on the door and

stuck.

their entrance when they discovered the door was jammed, and to their dismay, their phones

the trash, content to

key, only to discover the hotel had

the lights fully bright, Vivienne and Percival stood hand

Vivienne and me on our special day,” Percival announced with his usual

her eye, Wendy proclaimed, “The Boyd family will never accept such

up and sent the crowd into an

The footage was scandalous!

in the audience looked on

lady,

family would not accept this

be seen playing

Percival and Vivienne, thinking they had tried to humiliate the Boyds

Vivienne and Percival turned to watch the screen with

the time,” Vivienne murmured, her

looked at

she had prepared, it was Gillian playing a game of passing paper slips with

said, “The Boyd

room, tripped

see the video of her playing games with her admirers. She nearly

her private

it end

epitome of grace and beauty in high

shocked to

and said dryly, “Miss Ashford, your boyfriends seem to

from the

me? Who are these men in

gifts, promising me a chance. Who are they, and what’s this

you say you felt sick and hit the hay