The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Grasping the situation, Percival stopped talking to Leopold, engaging in small talk with Vivienne as they mingled with the various attendees.

Before long, Patrick made his way over. “Mr. Ellington, I haven’t had the chance to congratulate you two yet. My apologies.”

“No need for formalities, Mr. Ashford,” Percival replied nonchalantly.

There was an unspoken tension between the two men, a remembrance of an engagement party initially intended for Percival and Gillian.

After exchanging the obligatory business pleasantries, Patrick gestured towards the starboard side of the deck. “Mr. Ellington, since it’s your first time here, why not take your lady to enjoy the view from the deck? I can’t boast much, but the scenery here is truly top-notch.”

“Thank you for the suggestion, Mr. Ashford,” Percival accepted graciously.

Patrick offered a wry smile, and with a discreet nod to Vivienne, he excused himself to attend to other guests.

Vivienne glanced towards the deck and tapped her earpiece. “Husky’s lady, report in.”

“Vivienne, I’m not Husky’s lady. I’m a Samoyed, a Samoyed!” Griffin insisted repeatedly.

Samoyed was the code name Griffin had chosen for herself, also known as Angel Smile. She had insisted on having a handle to fit in with the rest.

“You two sure know how to name yourselves. Report your positions.”

With a muted grunt, Griffin responded, “Starboard deck, nine o’clock position, and stern, three o’clock position, one ‘Morning Glory’ each. No other anomalies detected. No new explosives found. Stay sharp.”

Vivienne nodded and exchanged a knowing look with Percival, and they both discreetly faded into the crowd.

In a lounge area, Yannick was engrossed in conversation with Gillian.

Yannick’s eyes, sharp and calculating, roamed over Gillian, his desire increasingly evident.

“Gillian, when Grandma mentioned wanting to match you with Percival, I knew it was wrong. How could someone as cold as him ever deserve you?”

Gillian dodged Yannick’s burning gaze, her faux modesty tinged with coyness. “I guess I’m to blame, too. I overestimated myself. I don’t know why, but I always seem to give the wrong impression. Those people were really just my friends. I never expected that they would…”

closer to Gillian. “That crowd is even less worthy

thought, “You’re the least worthy of all.” However, she responded with feigned shyness, “Do you really think

course, you’re perfect

message from Mara, asking her to meet at the

present earlier, Gillian excused herself to find

thinking, “A slut playing the innocent? Soon, you won’t be able

stern, disguised as a crew member, Mara pulled Gillian aside to a

“Mara, what’s this about?”

time to explain, Mara urgently asked, “Were you

he wanted

to take advantage of you! He wants to get you pregnant with a Boyd baby so you’d have no choice but to

“How could

That’s why I snuck on board, Gillian. You mustn’t go anywhere with

her mind. “Mara, do you still want me to marry Percival? Even after all that’s happened, would you still want

she had no choice; securing the Ashford family assets was paramount. “Of course, you’re my

I have a plan. Help me, and I assure you, by the end

was taken aback. “What’s the

secretly. When you see Yannick taking me

above, Vivienne overheard

She had to admit that Gillian was rather quick-witted. It was a waste that she

her earpiece and said, “Mr. Wolf, you got all that? Sounds like a foolproof plan—catching a turtle in

Vivienne included,

Wolf, sounds

surprisingly upbeat as he clinked a glass with someone. “Keep it up, and