The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne blinked, not a hint of hesitation in her eyes as she leaned in and captured those plush, ruby lips with her own.

It did not matter how many kisses it took.

To score a kiss from Mr. Wolf and savor a slice of strawberry shortcake—what could be better?

This was a win-win if there ever was one!

Back in the car, their personal driver, Leopold, and the ever-watchful bodyguard, Anna, seemed to materialize from thin air, taking their respective places without a word.

Vivienne indulged in her shortcake blissfully while Percival contentedly watched her enjoy every bite.

The atmosphere was surprisingly harmonious.

Leopold glanced at them through the rear-view mirror and lowered the privacy screen discreetly.

Out of sight, out of mind!

After finishing her dessert, Vivienne peered through a gap in the curtain at Anna and inquired, “What’s up with Husky again?”

“Samoyed isn’t answering her phone,” Anna said dryly, propping herself against the car window.

Caught between the two couples day in, day out—it was downright exhausting!

She should have joined Thomas in handling the Ashford family factory affairs.

Vivienne knew all too well that ever since Griffin had gotten her hands on that new bomb prototype, she had vanished into her lab, immersing herself in work mode with no time for romantic distractions.

Work and love—she kept them separate with precision.

“Are we heading back to Rivenwood now? Does Griffin know?” Percival asked.

Leopold pulled the car over, lifted the screen with due solemnity, and declared, “Percival, you’re right. We need to inform her posthaste. Let’s go!”

Anna casually interjected, “Thomas said Griffin told us to head back first. She’ll catch up after wrapping up her research. Oh, and she’ll be bringing Thomas with her.”

Though the Ashford family factory issue had been resolved, GTO’s virus research base in Sea City remained a loose end.

behind in Sea City under the guise of guarding the new bomb prototype,

he would handle

purposefully drew the curtain again, wrapping an arm around Vivienne as they drove off, carefree and

her gaze to the scenery

is

Leopold clenched his jaw.

was going

Thomas again!

touch with Griffin

wait!” He cursed

the accelerator, channeling all his frustration as if

help but muse—she had not noticed how close

glanced up at

nodded, whispering, “We’ve got to give our scientists some

She knew it!

had his fingerprints all

Without a little crisis, Leopold would

phone buzzed, showing a

it as a tip from Quincy about a GTO stronghold in

to Thomas, telling him

received was unexpected. It was not from

frowned. Was this another cryptic

in Sea City, Quincy lay bloodied and barely breathing on the ground. The door burst open, and in walked a pair of

who leaked Patrick’s factory location? Have you figured it out?” The

and looked up, unable

to open her eyes fully, she gasped. “I don’t know… I only found out that Percival has

cleared

It was Vivienne!

are you here?” Quincy stumbled backward in

this person could not be Vivienne. Vivienne could not possibly

and pointed it at the

you Barnaby; why so agitated? I came after receiving your message. Don’t you

tightly, her finger on the trigger without hesitation. A gunshot rang out, but sudden pain shot through her hand, sending the gun clattering to the floor as electricity coursed

you trustworthy. Who are