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.

had tasked Thomas to stay behind in Sea City under the guise of guarding

would handle headquarters affairs in

the car. Percival purposefully drew the curtain again, wrapping an arm around Vivienne as they

turned her gaze to the scenery outside

is nice,”

Leopold clenched his jaw.

was going

Thomas again!

had been in touch

you wait!” He

the accelerator, channeling all his frustration as

could not help but muse—she had not noticed how

up

got to give our

She knew it!

his fingerprints all over

for the best. Without a little crisis, Leopold would never learn to appreciate what

Vivienne’s phone buzzed, showing a map

Quincy about a

map to Thomas, telling him to back up

was unexpected. It

Was this another cryptic message from

in walked a pair of red stilettos. The owner sat across from Quincy, legs crossed like a fashion model,

location? Have you figured

and looked up, unable to

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

cleared enough to recognize the

It was Vivienne!

you here?” Quincy

be Vivienne. Vivienne could not possibly be

drew her concealed pistol and pointed it at the woman. “Why are you here? Aren’t

chuckled. “Or I should call you Barnaby; why so agitated? I came after receiving

gun tightly, her finger on the trigger without hesitation. A gunshot rang out, but sudden pain shot through her hand, sending

name doesn’t make you trustworthy. Who are you?”